Part 4: Expanding Self-Awareness Through Reflection

Aristotle once said that self-awareness is the key to wisdom. As leaders, we can expand our understanding of ourselves by reflecting on our experiences. By looking inward, we can build awareness of how our past has shaped us.

An example of this is Howard Schultz, the founder of Starbucks. He grew up in poverty in Brooklyn housing projects, with his father struggling to find steady employment. Schultz has said that this upbringing had a significant impact on his values. As a result, he was passionate about creating a different kind of company that provided equity and benefits like health insurance to part-time employees. He aimed to create a sense of belonging in the workplace, an idea inspired by his childhood experiences of loneliness.

Throughout his career, Schultz has used reflective practices to deepen his self-understanding. He has journaled, taken personality assessments, and worked with mentors to gain new insights. For Schultz, the most important lessons have come from life, not business school.

Some ways to cultivate self-awareness include taking personality assessments like EQi-2 or Clifton Strengths, which can help us understand our innate tendencies, preferences, and behaviors. Journaling is another useful tool, allowing us to examine our inner lives and reflect on our experiences. Discussing our journey with a mentor can help us gain perspective and create a coherent narrative. Finally, taking time for silent contemplation can help us integrate new insights.

Like Schultz, we can look to our past to unlock our potential as leaders. Our life experiences contain the seeds of our best leadership qualities. Through reflection, we can cultivate the wisdom we need to guide others, creating an endless journey of self-discovery.?

Let’s Reflect:

1) How has your past shaped your leadership abilities and style?

2) What new self-awareness have you gained from this series?

I look forward to your responses and will reply to any questions. Dr. RB