Self-Awareness is Key to Effective Leaders

I was just talking to a leadership colleague today and it became clearer than ever to me that self-awareness is so important for all of us in leadership positions.  We need to be mindful of how we are going to come across to others when we speak or take actions as a leader, and that starts with our own self-awareness.  By being in touch with our thoughts, feelings, beliefs and values, we have a much better chance of behaving in a way that is aligned with who we are as people and as leaders.  This alignment also ensures authenticity and genuineness as a leader.  I believe people look to leaders to be authentic and genuine as this is another form of honesty.  Behaving in ways that are congruent with our stated beliefs and values is also critical to leadership credibility.  We must “do as I say and do as I do” or put another way: “walk the talk and talk the walk”.

Author: howsgarv47

I am a nonprofit leader with over 30 years in executive and senior leadership positions in three great human services nonprofits in Hawaii, Connecticut & Massachusetts. As my encore career I want to help the next generation of nonprofit leaders prepare for and successfully move into senior and executive leadership positions in the nonprofit sector through executive coaching and consultation on leadership development. I believe strongly in working with leaders with whom there is mutual interest and fit to work together. View all posts by howsgarv47