As we know, we are emotional beings, but we must learn to control our feelings and work towards mastering them. Becoming more self-aware is a step towards improving human relationships in the workplace and society. Self-awareness means you consciously study your behavioural patterns and what you can do to improve. This practice involves both external and internal awareness.
External awareness refers to what people think or say about you. Internal awareness deals with how you see yourself. Both are important, and you should work towards finding a balance between them. Self-awareness is a trait of a great leader because it promotes honesty and a willingness to accept feedback. Positive feedback is sweet, but do not rush to discard negative comments. Take them, even if they come from a source, you dislike or the input itself is inaccurate. There is always a lesson or point to pick from others’ perspectives.
Learn to control your reactions and whatever feelings trigger you when receiving feedback. When faced with the need to change after receiving negative input, it is advisable to ignore the messenger and focus on the message. You can also ask for negative feedback from your colleagues or subordinates. Do this if you notice they might be shying away for fear of getting into your bad books. Emotional intelligence, the ability to receive and work on feedback, and self-awareness are essential to your career. You won’t master all these overnight but start now and get better every day.
Practice self-reflection. Select a particular time of the day or night. Start small with about ten minutes of reflection daily. Need ideas? Think of particular situations you have been through. Ask yourself questions like:
- What did I do right?
- What did I do wrong?
- How should I have acted?
- What lesson is here?