A511.7.4.RB

A core competency of good leaders is understanding oneself. After all, self-knowledge allows us to be able to understand others as well. For most individuals who train to become coaches, the value of the training is as much about their increased self-awareness as it is about their ability to work with others and help them achieve their potential.

Goffee and Jones’ article “Getting personal on the topic of leadership” emphasizes the art of self-awareness, as does Yukl, 2012.  Yukl, 2012 states The theories of ethical leadership emphasize leader values more than behavior, and the long-term welfare and development of followers rather than financial performance. .

Art of Self-awareness
Self-awareness can also help you to persevere as you carry out your plan.  I've found that knowing your business and yourself can also help you to know when to follow your instincts, so you can find the courage to move ahead and ignore the advice of naysayers (Branson, 2013). 

How are the people on your team, with their particular skills and talents, shaping your company and making it different from others? What's special about your product or service? How is your company helping your community and environment? If you're an entrepreneur or business leader and don't have the answers to these questions at the ready, it's time to meet with your team outside the office. Throw a barbecue or dinner, and start up a conversation about what you have done so far and what you want to do.  While the answers will change over time, talking about this now will help all of you to get a sense of where you're going and what you've built so far, helping to prepare you for the next bumps you encounter. And what could be better than having dinner and drinks with your team, reflecting on all you've accomplished and what comes next?

Personally, the differences that distinguish and help me to live and act on the basis of my core values is that I know what is truly important to me and don't let things and people distract.  Personally, my family and inclusive behavior come first, above all other things.  My kids will never be second to my work or school.  Additionally being supportive and inclusive in all of my actions distinguishes me form others.  My goal is for no-one to have a negative things to say about me.  (I shoot for the stars, what can I say?)

My core values outside of 'family first' are equality, humility, honesty, and commitment

 

 

References

 

Branson, R. (n.d.). Self-awareness for Leadership Growth, Entrepreneur.com. Business News & Strategy For Entrepreneurs Entrepreneur.com. Retrieved July 19, 2013, from http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/226863  

Kennedy, D. (2013, June 3). Richard Branson on Self-Awareness for Leadership Growth | Entrepreneur.com. Business News & Strategy For Entrepreneurs | Entrepreneur.com. Retrieved July 16, 2013, from http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/226863   

    

Yukl, G. A. (2013). Leadership in organizations (8th ed.). Boston: Pearson. 

.