Lesson #2: Leadership Excellence Requires Self-Awareness

This is part of our series Six Lessons from Pregame's First Six Years. Check our page for the rest of our pro tips!

Over the past six years, we've worked with hundreds of leaders: entrepreneurs, business executives, nonprofit directors and?government officials.

The best ones stand out for many qualities: subject matter expertise, passion with focus, truly wanting their team to do well, objectivity, commitment to continuous improvement.?

Leading an organization toward a big vision requires a balance of confidence and humility.?

(Of course, we're talking about good leaders. There are plenty of leaders who are "effective" because they're tyrants, dictators, or manipulators. They are driven by fear or unresolved stuff from their past. Their transformation needs to start with therapy, not coaching. This is not shade! Therapy is awesome, and coaches should absolutely not do therapy. That's the job of a licensed professional.)

So how do you know whether you're on the right track??

It all starts - and ends - with self awareness.?

I don't think it's possible to have the level of awareness required for excellent leadership without sounding boards: other people on your level who support you with wise feedback.?

Too many leaders get their feedback from yes-people, those who can't really tell them the truth because they're reliant on that boss for their livelihood.

This is the value of an expert, experienced coach, therapist, accountability group, or business inner circle. Good leaders need people who will push back, challenge assumptions, and reveal blind spots.?

The other half of the equation is actually taking that good advice and allowing it to evolve one's approach to leadership.

This can be an intimidating, even painful process. But the great news about increased self-awareness is that it impacts your life as well as your work. Putting effort into improving relationships with others and yourself has a ripple effect far beyond the boardroom.?

Who's your truth teller?

What practices do you incorporate into your life for continued self-awareness?

Strategy & Style,

Ciara Pressler