Self-Awareness is the Most Central Element to EQ and Good Leadership

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, as well as recognize and influence the emotions of those around you. It is a crucial skill for leaders, as it affects everything from strategy execution to employee engagement to customer satisfaction.

But what is the foundation of emotional intelligence? What is the first step to becoming a more emotionally intelligent leader?

The answer is self-awareness.

Self-awareness is the basic building block for emotional intelligence. This characteristic allows you to recognize your own emotions, strengths, weaknesses and values and understand how they impact others. To bring out the best in others, you first need to bring out the best in yourself through self-awareness.

Self-awareness is not only about knowing yourself, but also about being honest with yourself. It means being able to admit your mistakes, acknowledge your blind spots, and seek feedback from others. It also means being able to regulate your emotions and choose how to respond to different situations.

Self-awareness is not a fixed trait that you either have or don’t have. It is a skill that can be developed and improved over time. Here are some strategies that can help you enhance your self-awareness:

• Take time to reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Ask yourself questions such as: What am I feeling right now? Why am I feeling this way? How does this affect my behavior and performance? What can I learn from this experience?
• Seek feedback from others. Ask for honest and constructive feedback from your colleagues, peers, and direct reports. Listen with an open mind and without being defensive. Thank them for their input and use it to improve yourself.
• Use assessments and tools. There are various assessments and tools that can help you measure and understand your personality, preferences, strengths, weaknesses, and emotional intelligence.??Some good ones include the Clifton Strengths assessment from Gallup, The HBDI (Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument), or the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator).
• Hire a coach or mentor. A coach or mentor can provide you with guidance, support, and accountability in your journey of self-awareness. They can help you set goals, identify challenges, and create action plans to improve your emotional intelligence and leadership effectiveness. (Or reach out to me – coaching is a big part of what we do at Daedalus Growth Partners).

Self-awareness is the most central element to EQ and good leadership because it enables you to leverage your strengths, address your weaknesses, and adapt to different situations and people. By developing your self-awareness, you can become a more authentic, empathetic, and influential leader.

What are some ways that you practice self-awareness in your leadership role? Share your thoughts in the comments below!