Self-awareness for leaders
October 27th, 2008 | Published in Measuring Performance
“You learn by doing and experience, and by developing an awareness and understanding. It’s simple but not easy”.
In recent years I think we have devalued the hands on experience of people who have risen through the ranks and know their organsations intimately, and overvalued the charismatic outsider who comes in and changes everything. In my experience the best leaders have a strong awareness of their own strengths and limitations, and so are able to listen to others and make better-judged decisions. This is my take on the humility of leaders that John Adair mentions in this article.
Feedback and in particular, 360 Degree Feedback, is a powerful tool that allows leaders to obtain the views and perceptions of the people who work with them, in a structured way, and confidentially. By asking questions about specific behaviours and actions that their colleagues at all levels can observe, leaders can start to understand how they come across to others, what they do that motivates and empowers, and what they do that creates demotivation or confusion.
