Debunking the Myths of Self-Awareness in Leadership

I’ve been reading Insight by Tasha Eurich and am excited to incorporate some of her insights into my coaching. Her work sheds light on a few myths about self-awareness, so I thought I’d share. 

Myth #1: Introspection is the same thing as self-awareness.

Being in touch with your thoughts is only half the picture. To quote Eurich, who researches self-awareness, thinking is not the same as knowing. In fact, too much introspection can lead to rumination. 

True self-awareness only comes from comparing what we think we know about ourselves to how others see us. It requires being present, connected, and curious about what others reflect back to us. 

Myth #2: If I’ve been successful, I must be reasonably self-aware.

Maybe. The risk with this myth is that success, positions of power, and expertise in a field can often trick us into believing we’re more self-aware than we are. 

Power and authority can cause people to stop telling us the hard stuff. People in positions of power have a difficult time getting people to tell it to them straight. Success and expertise can lead to overconfidence, which causes us to stop looking for that reflection from others and question what we might not know. 

Myth #3: I don’t have time for navel-gazing.

Self-aware leaders consistently drive better results, have more engaged and productive teams, and are happier overall in their lives. 

Moving Beyond Myths

Self-awareness is not just a 'nice-to-have' trait—it's a critical skill for effective leadership and personal growth. By debunking these myths, we open ourselves up to genuine self-discovery and improvement.

Remember, true self-awareness is an ongoing journey, not a destination. It requires constant effort, openness to feedback, and a willingness to challenge our own assumptions about ourselves.

As leaders, let's commit to:

1. Seeking honest feedback from others regularly
2. Balancing introspection with external perspectives
3. Staying humble, especially in the face of success
4. Making time for self-reflection is a crucial part of our leadership practice

I encourage you to reflect on these myths and consider how they might be impacting your own journey towards self-awareness. What steps can you take this week to enhance your self-awareness?

If you're interested in exploring this topic further or would like support in developing your self-awareness as a leader, don't hesitate to reach out. Let's work together to unlock your full potential through genuine self-awareness.

Until next time, stay curious about yourself and others!