Often absent from strategic discussions on the role of leaders, self-awareness remains a fundamental pillar of aligned, consistent and engaging leadership. Being in a management position means constantly influencing decisions, teams and organizational culture. To influence with accuracy and impact, it’s essential to develop a fine-tuned understanding of yourself. This involves the ability to observe your thoughts, welcome your emotions, recognize your reactions and measure their impact on your environment. In this sense, self-awareness is not an introspective luxury, but a key competency for sustainable and effective governance. This skill, though seemingly simple, requires rigour and consistency. It requires you to step out of automatic mode and adopt an introspective approach that allows you to adjust your actions to your environment, but above all, to act with intention rather than by reflex.
What can hinder the development of self-awareness?
In a world where speed of execution is valued, taking time out to reflect on yourself can seem counter-intuitive. The urgency of daily life, tight deadlines, pressure to perform: all this leaves little room for introspection. Nevertheless, it is precisely in these moments of tension that self-awareness becomes essential.
A major obstacle to leadership development lies in what is known as the lucidity illusion. Many people are convinced that they have a clear understanding of their behaviour and its effects. However, organizational psychology research shows a significant gap: while 95% of individuals believe they know themselves well, only 10% to 15% exhibit true self-awareness (Eurich, 2017). This gap can lead to critical blind spots in decision-making, team management and strategic communication. In other words, underestimating the importance of authentic self-awareness can limit the effectiveness and influence of the leadership role, with direct repercussions on organizational performance.
The impact of authentic leadership
A conscious management approach inspires confidence—not through charisma or rhetoric, but through consistent words, actions and decisions. In supporting our clients, it’s not uncommon to hear leaders express the extent to which human relationships are at the heart of their management style, only to realize that every morning they walk through the common area without greeting their colleagues, or that they run meeting after meeting without taking the time to really listen to what their team is trying to say.
This type of disconnect, often unintentional, sends a contradictory message. Becoming aware of this allows you to intentionally adjust your approach. It means choosing to align yourself with your values and role on a daily basis, to create a climate of trust, consistency and relational security.
How can you develop this awareness on a daily basis?
The development of self-awareness is not based on a sudden transformation, but on small actions repeated over and over again. Here are a few drivers to consider.
Take a moment each day to go over your interactions, identify the emotions that have emerged and reflect on what they reveal. Over time, this simple practice becomes a powerful motor for adjustments.
Instead of passively waiting for feedback, why not actively solicit it? Targeted, well-formulated feedback can open your eyes to blind spots that are hard to spot on your own. In this respect, 360 assessments can be invaluable, serving as a revealing mirror.
In the form of coaching or mentoring, external support enables you to gain a more nuanced understanding of yourself. A psychometric assessment can also enhance this approach by highlighting certain automatisms or behavioural tendencies.
A practice to be maintained
Self-awareness is not acquired one time and then it’s done. It can be cultivated, refined and sharpened.
Before you start your day, take a moment to ask yourself:
- What state of mind am I in today?
- What impact do I want to have?
And in the evening, take stock of what you’ve experienced:
- Was my behaviour consistent with my intentions?
An essential starting point
Optimizing your impact as a leader starts with inner alignment. Self-awareness is not an abstract concept—it’s a strategic driver. It forms the basis of an insightful, intentional and enduring management style, capable of influencing with precision, engaging with consistency and fully assuming the demands of your role.
Two simple questions can kick-start this reflection: “What concrete impact do I have on those around me?” and “Does my impact match both what I want to achieve and what the organization really needs?”
At Humance, we believe that every transformation begins with a clear understanding of oneself. It is through this lucidity that aligned, meaningful leadership is developed, capable of creating a tangible impact for the organization.
Reference
Eurich, T. (2017). Insight: why we’re not as self-aware as we think, and how seeing ourselves clearly helps us succeed at work and in life. Currency.
