Self-Awareness in Leaders

As leaders develop, they learn self-awareness. Self-awareness in leaders allows them to be aware of their team and surroundings. In their initial training managers are not taught to be self-aware (most of the time), they are taught to put out fires in the moment while many times micromanaging their team in the process. Leaders seek to serve those who report to them. Having a “title” is not important to leaders. Often managers are looking to move to the next level and the “title” has more weight than serving their team. I agree with Nichols and Cottrell (2014), who argued that employees are not asked enough what they desire in a leader. If employees were asked and the right tools are selected, leaders can develop from any position. I believe a leader is a manager, but seldom is a manager a leader. Thoughts…

Nichols, A. & Cottrell, C. (2014) What do people desire in their leaders? The role of leadership level on trait desirability. The Leadership Quarterly Vol 25(4), 711-729