2. Their weaknesses
Nobody likes to admit they have weaknesses, but we all do.
The longer I lead, the more I realize how small my sweet spot really is (for me it’s content creation, communication, vision casting and team recruitment … it’s all downhill from those four).
Self-aware people understand their weaknesses and limit their activities in areas for which they are not gifted.
This does two things:
It creates space for others to shine.
It allows them to spend most of their time working from their strengths.
It takes real humility for a leader to admit where they are not strong, but that characteristic is often endearing.
If you want to become more self-aware, understand your weaknesses and start acting accordingly. Your team will be so much better for it.
3. Their strengths
While it may take humility to acknowledge your weaknesses, it doesn’t take arrogance to acknowledge your strengths.
Someone who understands their strengths is not inherently egotistical; they’re just self-aware. Arrogant people can just as easily work out of their weaknesses as their strengths.
So … don’t be afraid of understanding and leading from your strengths.
Self-aware people know what they’re best at, but don’t brag. They just do it.
4. Their limits
Everyone has limits. As much as some of us push back on them, they’re still there.
Self-aware people know what level their tank is at and behave accordingly.
When they need a break, they take one. When they’re tired, they acknowledge it and take responsibility for getting some rest. When they are running on all cylinders, they give whatever they’ve got to whatever they do.
Again, everyone benefits: co-workers, their team and even their family.
Ironically, a leader who knows where their limits are often operates at much closer to their limit than a leader who has no idea that they’re tired, over capacity or heading for a crash.
Want to know how to refuel?
Don’t miss my leadership podcast episode on burnout with Perry Noble (Perry burnt out and came back), and here’s an article on how to bring your best to the table every day.
Worried about your limits? Here’s a post that outlines nine signs you’re burning out.
What Do You Think?
So what have you learned in working with self-aware people … or with leaders who are not self-aware?
What’s helped you grow as a leader?
