The Two Dimensions of Self-Awareness
Self-awareness isn’t a single skill—it’s a multidimensional capability that forms the foundation of effective leadership. Research shows it comes in two distinct flavors:
Internal Self-Awareness
How clearly you see your own values, passions, aspirations, fit with your environment, reactions, and impact on others.
The question it answers: “How well do I know myself?”
External Self-Awareness
How clearly you understand how other people view you, your values, and your motives.
The question it answers: “How well do I understand how others see me?”
Leaders need both dimensions to truly scale their impact.
The Data: Why Self-Awareness Matters
The Impact on Leadership Effectiveness
83%
of highly self-aware leaders are seen as effective by their teams
90%
higher team trust scores under self-aware leaders
2.5×
more likely to manage high-performing teams
Source: Research from Tasha Eurich, “Insight” and Korn Ferry Leadership studies
Reflection Rituals for Leaders
Daily Reflection
10 minutes at day’s end to capture:
- One moment of leadership pride
- One moment you’d handle differently
- One insight about yourself
Weekly Review
30 minutes to assess:
- Energy patterns across activities
- Alignment with core values
- Progress on development areas
Quarterly Feedback
Structured input from:
- Direct reports (anonymous)
- Peers (specific scenarios)
- Manager (development focused)
Pro Tip:
The most effective reflection rituals become habits when they’re linked to existing routines. Attach your daily reflection to your commute home or evening routine for maximum consistency.
The Johari Window for Leadership
The Johari Window is a powerful framework for understanding the relationship between what you know about yourself and what others know about you:
Expanding Your Open Area
The goal of self-awareness work is to expand your “Open Area” by:
- Seeking feedback to reduce blind spots
- Practicing appropriate vulnerability to reduce hidden areas
- Experimenting and reflecting to discover unknown areas
Leadership Blind Spots
Common blind spots for leaders include:
- Impact of their communication style
- How they handle stress and pressure
- Unintended consequences of decisions
- Perceived priorities vs. stated priorities
Common Blind Spots and How to Uncover Them
| Blind Spot | How It Shows Up | Discovery Method |
|---|---|---|
| Communication Impact | ”I thought I was being clear” syndrome | Record meetings; ask for message playback |
| Decision-Making Biases | Consistent patterns in choices that limit outcomes | Decision journal; diverse pre-mortems |
| Emotional Triggers | Disproportionate reactions to specific situations | Trusted observer feedback; pattern tracking |
| Cultural Insensitivity | Unintended exclusion or misunderstandings | Diverse feedback panel; cultural intelligence assessment |
Success Story: Leadership Transformation Through Self-Awareness
Sarah’s Journey
Before
- High turnover on her team
- Known as brilliant but difficult
- Frustrated by “underperforming” team
- Blind to impact of her perfectionism
The Process
- 360° feedback revealed blind spots
- Weekly reflection practice
- Worked with executive coach
- Created feedback mechanisms
After
- Team retention improved 40%
- Promotion to senior leadership
- Known for developing talent
- Higher team performance scores
“The hardest part was accepting that my intentions didn’t match my impact. Once I could see myself through my team’s eyes, everything changed. Self-awareness didn’t just make me a better leader—it transformed our results.”
Self-Awareness Scorecard
Rate Yourself: 1 (Rarely) to 5 (Consistently)
Scoring: 20-25: Highly self-aware | 15-19: Good awareness | 10-14: Developing awareness | Below 10: Significant blind spots
In Summary
Self-awareness is the meta-skill that unlocks leadership growth.
Leaders who invest in both internal and external self-awareness create a foundation for all other leadership capabilities to flourish. They make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and create higher-performing teams.
The journey to self-awareness is ongoing—it’s not a destination but a practice. The most effective leaders make it a cornerstone of their development.
Your Next Step
Ask for specific feedback from 3 teammates this week.
Start Your Self-Awareness Journey