By Sherif Attar
In a world of ever-changing ambiguity and uncertainty, executives have to face two challenges: excellent performance and people development. Where many managers think those endeavours are “competing”, this author believes they are “completing”. GET DOWN TO BUSINESS argues.
Adapted from Trainer Bubble
Our perception of ourselves, otherwise known as our ‘self-awareness’, plays a huge role in our productivity.
Self-perception refers to the image, or understanding we have about ourselves: our strengths, weaknesses and other traits, as well as how we judge those parts of ourselves. Being familiar with your strengths and weaknesses helps you function better and improves your mental well-being and confidence. It encourages a healthier workplace environment.
We can break down the key benefits of being self-aware in the workplace…
1- Time Management. A strong perception of yourself means a solid understanding of how and when you function at your best. Individuals who know when they are most productive are able to prioritise tasks by ensuring their most productive hours of the day are spent on the tasks that require the most attention and effort. Equally, those who know how they work best can work to ensure their environment is appropriately setup for their efficiency.
2- Stress. With self-awareness comes recognition of the things that may trigger your stress. Knowing the environments, engagements or restraints that cause you stress will encourage you to manage your work to avoid those things. Self-awareness means a knowledge of how to deal with them. Knowing your preferred methods of dealing with and coping with stress will help you navigate stressful situations in the most efficient and healthy way. Mishandling stressful situations only creates more stress for you and those around you.
3- Impact on others. Whilst we have a right to feel out our emotions, being able to limit how much you project them onto others creates a healthier environment for all. Especially as managers.
Self-awareness is not limited to controlling stress, it extends to all emotions such as patience and adaptability. Being able to control and express emotions successfully creates harmonious, strong and empathetic interpersonal relationships.
4- Feedback. Confidence in what you can do, and a recognition of things that may not come as naturally to you means you are more open to feedback. Receiving constructive criticism openly is an opportunity to grow your self-awareness even further.
5- Confidence. As you work successfully and efficiently, through a deep understanding of your own abilities, you will prove your capabilities to everyone (yourself included!).Thus, a self-aware individual is productive, efficient, and encourages a healthier work environment for themselves and others.
The need for self-awareness is critical to leaders but extends to those who make presentations, negotiate deals, give feedback and work in teams. When an entire workforce has good self-awareness and emotional intelligence, the benefits multiply.
How can leaders endeavour to boost self-awareness among employees?
1- Communication channels. Open communication channels are imperative to helping employees gain self-awareness. Superiors have channels to productively approach individuals with constructive feedback.
This may involve implementing periodic 1-on-1 meetings between managers and employees. Feedback also means commending positive work that deserves recognition. This boosts employee confidence and familiarises them with their strengths – enhancing self-awareness.
2- Encourage self-reflection. Encouraging employees to take time from their day to self-reflect may be beneficial.
3- Upskilling. By offering opportunities to upskill to your employees, they are encouraged to evaluate their existing skills and consider their future plans in terms of growth and development. This enhances their self-awareness. Meanwhile, the upskilling itself develops employees in new areas which boosts their confidence, making them more susceptible to recognising strengths and weaknesses.
Emotional intelligence and self-awareness may be natural for some people but also are skills than can be learned and developed over time given the right tools. It is important that businesses consider self-awareness as a crucial skill for all.
For questions or suggestions, please send your comments.
Sherif Attar, an independent management consultant/trainer and organisation development authority, delivers seminars in the US, Europe, Middle East and the Far East.
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