How Self-Aware Are You?

I am a big believer in Emotional Intelligence (EI).  EI is a leadership concept that looks at four key facets of who you are and how you interact with others: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness and Relationship Management.  I am such a big believer that the main reason I decided to go to Case Western Reserve University for graduate school was because it would give me an opportunity to learn from Dr. Richard Boyatzis, one of the foremost experts on EI.

Self-Awareness is the key to being proficient in EI.  Before you can lead and develop others effectively and efficiently, you have to know how to lead yourself.  This is an aspect of leadership most people not only do not focus on, but often intentionally ignore.

So, just how self-aware are you?  Do you know where your areas of opportunities are?  Do you know how certain situations affect you in a positive or negative way?  Pay attention to your moods, behaviors and idiosyncrasies this week and then begin to create ways to better manage them.  This will make you not just a better leader, but a better version of you.

Tags: behaviors, case western, ei, emotional intelligence, negative impacts, positive impacts, richard boyatzis, self-awareness