The Fantastic (and Long) Journey of Self-Awareness

There's one job I've never taken a vacation from: the job of self-knowledge. For decades, I've been studying, working, and advocating for self-awareness and personal development. Perhaps because of this passion, my career has transitioned over time, from Law to Human Resources, to help others develop as well.

So, it was no surprise that during a trip to Greece, I was eager to visit the Temple of Apolo in Delphi, renowned for its inscription "Know Thyself."

I must confess, lacking archaeological sensitivity (unfortunately, when I see rocks and stones from thousands of years BC, I only see "stones over stones"), I was somewhat disappointed not to experience any catharsis or insights there. Nevertheless, the view was breathtaking, so I took some time to meditate and reflect on my journey of self-development. At that moment, I naively felt proud of my achievements and gave myself a pat on the back.

That was six years ago, and looking back now, I realize I am still at the beginning; the path to self-awareness is long and likely never-ending. The work is immense, yet it's an essential one, often overlooked by many.

When I began working for large corporations in the Talent and Development field, I was initially excited about the opportunity to design and implement various tools, programs, and training sessions for employees. However, I often found myself frustrated by the results. Reflecting on how to overcome this frustration, I recalled Apolo.

What's the point of training people in skills if many of them aren't dedicating time to self-knowledge and to understand their behavior? It all starts there.

Instead, what we often do is focus most exclusively on training concrete skills, which is necessary, but neglecting the recipients of these trainings—individuals with whole internal worlds.

Knowledge doesn’t thrive in closed minds. I've witnessed this firsthand, observing countless individuals undergoing training. There needs to be an interest; that's the fuel.

However, as crucial as the interest or need to learn is, it's equally important to be brave enough to connect with oneself, step by step, with patience, to understand how one acts, why one acts that way, the internal beliefs guiding reactions and motivations, and the lenses through which one views life. We shouldn’t underestimate how our internal world impacts those we interact with, especially in the workplace.

It's a challenging and lengthy journey. Yet, let alone the personal benefits, the influence on the professional growth is immense. In my experience, training and development programs were significantly more effective when participants demonstrated some level of self-awareness.

To work on self-awareness, one must invest time, effort, and focus. The payoff, however, is visible. Individuals with self-awareness not only benefit greatly from training but also become better leaders, colleagues, and more, they spread positive impact on their environment.

Consider this: you can always learn new skills and become a better professional, but investing in self-awareness will make you a better human in the workplace and an infinitely better professional. Good luck on this marvelous journey.

Wishing you all an insightful week.