#73: Self Awareness or the lack of it?

Of all the skills I believe that are required to make a leader successful, Self Awareness is the most important of them all. This is however one of the most underrated skill.

'Self Awareness gives you an acute intuition to see how your actions influence others on a daily basis'

You team could love you or hate you depending on how awareness challenged you are.

A lack of subject domain understanding of a leader may be compensated for by the people who he hires intentionally, however a lack of self awareness is one skill set that can really break a Leader and subsequently a Team in turn!

I worked for many managers over my 18 year career, but sadly I managed to meet only a few leaders! If I tried to count, I probably I would not get past 5.

'This is the irony of the workplace of today - Too many managers but very few leaders!'

You can get degrees (read buy) and hang them on your wall. Many B-schools are ready to give you a quick correspondence MBA at an obscene price but getting a piece of embossed or bonded paper will not equip you to become a successful leader of people.

Self Awareness has to be cultivated everyday through human interaction and entails a basic respect for all individuals - irrespective of race, creed or faith.

In a way you become sort of a psychologist, as you would need to read Team members/subordinates and understand what makes them tick.

'Self Awareness is the holy grail of Management 101'

This and only this will help you get the best out of your Team!

If you work for a manager who lacks self awareness, you need to pull him in for a talk. Don’t be afraid as you need to give it a shot else you leave! Of course do remember that you must bring up the issue in the most respectful manner.

Many a time, I have noticed that it did not even cross the mind of the manager of how their actions have negatively impacted the Team.

Lack of awareness could range from your manager openly playing favourites, to only rewarding certain individuals, to restricting recruitment only to specific nationalities.

I have seen all of these types and finally it never ends well for them and for their unfortunate Team members who bear the brunt of this.

What are your thoughts on Self Awareness and how do you apply this in your daily life?