“Those who can’t do…teach.” 

I used to hate this saying when I was in my Music education undergraduate program. 

But it came to mind as I was thinking about this week’s blog post, just flipped around a little bit. My initial question was “What do people need to feel confident about their career path and leadership skills?” I started thinking about all of the people I’ve known who say they were great at their jobs and got promoted into positions of leadership in their field, then all of a sudden lost confidence and felt like they were floundering. 

I thought of situations I’d been in and friends who have lamented where poor leaders at work made others’ lives miserable because they had no idea how to make things happen or motivate people, even though we know they’re probably good and knowledgeable people. 

So back to that opening quote. Can those who do really well- also lead? 

Yes. With the proper training and self-awareness. 

Is this you? 

✔️Struggling  with understanding your leadership style and how to effectively lead others

✔️Questioning whether you have the necessary qualities and skills to inspire and motivate a team

✔️Uncertain about how to adapt your leadership approach to different situations and personalities

Then this post is for you. And I’d love to chat more about this with you one on one. 

Of course expertise in a field is important, but feeling confident as a leader requires a broader skill set. You have to hone those interpersonal skills, think strategically, and build up your team as individuals and a group that works effectively together. You need to figure out the right blend of influence, adaptability, and resilience. Effective leadership is about more than just knowing the facts; it's about inspiring others, driving change, and creating a positive impact. 

Leadership is not just about technical expertise, but wouldn’t it be great if it was? 

The good news is that you have way more capacity to be a great leader than you may even realize. Like I said above, with the proper skill development, you can pull out all of those inspiring qualities that will take you from just a job title to the one who gets it done and people love to work for. But first?

We must become self-aware.  It’s the secret sauce to every great leader.

On a scale of 1 to 10 (1= I know my name and food allergies and that’s about it, 10= I’ve written a user manual for how to interact with me that is a best-seller amongst those who know and work with me), how would you rate your current self-awareness? 

Factor in all of the ways you understand yourself: your strengths, weaknesses, values, beliefs, emotions, and motivations that shape your thoughts, behaviors, and interactions with others. Whether you rate yourself above or below a 5, there’s always room to grow, and the higher you are on this scale, the more you know the importance of working on your self-awareness.

So why is this so important to think about? Cultivating self-awareness is essential for making informed decisions, fostering meaningful relationships, and living a fulfilling life. Self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence and effective leadership. It enables you to recognize your emotions and how they impact others, make sound decisions, and navigate challenges with resilience and authenticity.

But if I’m a leader, don’t I need to worry more about the people I’m leading? Not before you get yourself figured out. Because in the process of becoming more self-aware you’ll make space for all of the individuals on your team and the ways their uniqueness support and detract from the mission. And by going through this process of understanding yourself you can help your team understand themselves and one another- creating this beautiful self-aware organism that gets 👏 shit 👏 done. 

Bonus: you’ll all feel really great about the outcome.

Your decision making will be so much stronger because self-aware individuals are better equipped to make decisions that align with their values, goals, and priorities. How nice would it be to always feel like you’re weighing your options thoughtfully, considering potential consequences, and acting with clarity and conviction instead of throwing out knee-jerk responses?

This helps us build our emotional intelligence as well as fostering empathy and mutual understanding for better relationships. You’ll more quickly recognize your biases, triggers, and communication patterns, leading to more authentic and harmonious connections with others.

And when the setbacks, challenges, and stressors come, you can recognize your own strengths and limitations, seek support when needed, and bounce back from adversity with resilience and determination.

Have I convinced you yet?

Let’s figure out how to actually get started working on building your self-awareness. 

Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Incorporate mindfulness practices such as meditation, deep breathing, or body scan exercises into your daily routine to cultivate self-awareness and inner peace.

Journal: Journaling is a powerful tool for self-reflection and self-discovery. Set aside time each day to write about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Reflect on your successes, challenges, and areas for growth, and explore patterns or themes that emerge. And if you know me, you know I always recommend journaling in the way that feels best for you. Not into writing? That’s fine! Sit and reflect on the topic, speak into the voice notes app on your phone, or do something creative to react to the prompt. The benefit comes from engaging, not specifically how you engage.

Seek Feedback: Actively seek feedback from trusted friends, colleagues, mentors, or coaches. Ask for honest and constructive feedback about your strengths, weaknesses, blind spots, and areas for improvement. Use this feedback as an opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth.

Reflect on Past Experiences: Take time to reflect on past experiences, both positive and negative. Consider how these experiences have shaped your beliefs, values, and behaviors. Identify lessons learned and insights gained from past challenges or successes.

Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind and compassionate towards yourself, especially during times of difficulty or self-doubt. Treat yourself with the same empathy and understanding that you would offer to a friend facing similar challenges.

Identify Triggers and Patterns: Pay attention to your emotional triggers and recurring patterns of behavior. Notice how certain situations or interactions affect your thoughts, feelings, and actions. By identifying triggers and patterns, you can gain insight into underlying issues and work towards healthier responses.

Seek Different Perspectives: Seek out diverse perspectives and viewpoints to challenge your own assumptions and biases. Engage in conversations with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to broaden your understanding of the world and yourself.

Set Aside Time for Reflection: Carve out time in your schedule for regular reflection and introspection. Create a quiet and comfortable space where you can reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without distractions.

Practice Active Listening: Cultivate active listening skills in your interactions with others. Pay close attention to what others are saying, ask clarifying questions, and validate their perspectives. Practice empathy and strive to understand the emotions and motivations underlying their words.

Seek Professional Help: If you're struggling to develop self-awareness or facing significant challenges, consider seeking support from a therapist, counselor, or coach. A trained professional can provide guidance, insight, and support as you navigate your journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

Does this list energize or intimidate you?

Either way, I’m here to help. As a Career Transformation Coach I love working through your strengths, what’s holding you back, and figuring out a plan together to keep you moving forward in your career and leadership development. 

Fill out the Coaching Inquiry Form below or book a free strategy session call with me- whichever fits your communication style!

Can’t wait to see you grow.