It might be time to look in the mirror: The courage required to be a leader

Are you ready to face yourself?

Self-awareness isn’t something most of us spend much time thinking about, but it’s the hidden engine behind real growth and effective leadership.

Taking an honest look in the mirror is powerful, but let’s face it—it takes courage.

When was the last time you really reflected on your strengths, your blind spots, and the impact you have on those around you?

This week, we're diving into why self-awareness is a game-changer for leaders and how you can develop it to unlock new levels of success and connection.

Plus, we've included a book recommendation to help you start your leadership journey with a fresh perspective!

In today’s newsletter:

• The power of self-awareness

• Book recommendation

• Hot jobs

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CAREER TIPS

Is it Time to Look in the Mirror? The Power of Self-Awareness

The workplace is a dynamic environment that demands constant growth and adaptability. To thrive and succeed in such an environment, you must possess a crucial trait: Self-awareness.

Sometimes, this means we need to spend some time really being honest with ourselves about how we show up and act with others. 

Defining Self-Awareness

Self-awareness can be defined as the ability to understand one's thoughts, emotions, and motivations with clarity and accuracy. It serves as a guiding light that illuminates one's true self, enabling one to make better decisions, manage one's emotions, and build strong, collaborative relationships with others.

While self-awareness is essential, it can be challenging to achieve. Often, we unconsciously fall into the trap of distorted self-perception, either overestimating our capabilities or undermining our potential. Therefore, it becomes imperative to develop tools and practices that allow us to gain a clear view of ourselves.

Look In The Mirror

One such tool is the metaphorical mirror, which symbolizes self-reflection. Looking in the mirror, both figuratively and literally, can provide valuable insights into who we are and how we present ourselves to the world. It allows us to explore our feelings, values, and aspirations, helping us to understand our true selves without the distortions of ego or self-doubt.

When you take a moment to "look in the mirror," you can begin the journey of self-awareness. Keeping a journal of your reflections can be a valuable starting point. Writing down your thoughts and emotions can clarify your experiences and highlight areas for improvement or growth.

What If We Don’t Look In The Mirror?

True self-awareness often requires an external perspective. Just as in a funny mirror story that I’d like to share:

I just got back from vacation a few days ago. I hate shaving in general, so when I'm on vacation, I usually don't shave. I didn't shave this whole time, so I finally got back, took a shower, and shaved. But I did it pretty quickly. Right when I got out of the shower, I didn't actually look in the mirror to see how my shave job was. Recently, the mirror that I had in the shower broke, so I didn't double-check my work. I didn't know what it actually looked like. I just felt my face, though it felt smooth, and moved on with my day.

I came to find out a few hours later after I had already talked to a number of people, that I had a big patch on the side of my face that I missed completely. Then I saw my wife and she's like, “Hey, what do we got there?” (pointing at the big patch of unshaven hair on my face). Because I didn't look in the mirror, I was completely unaware of something that anyone else who looked at me would be very aware of, but I was unaware.

This story illustrates how sometimes we miss certain aspects of ourselves that others can clearly see. It's, therefore, important to seek honest feedback from trusted individuals who can provide invaluable insights into our blind spots. Embracing this feedback with an open mind and a willingness to grow can lead to personal development and improved self-awareness.

By inviting others to hold up the “mirror” for us, we demonstrate our commitment to growth and our desire to understand ourselves better. As leaders, we can set the example of feeling safe to receive that feedback. Embracing the insights others offer, even if they might be hard to hear, empowers us to make positive changes in our behavior and interactions.

Embracing Growth and Change

Ultimately, self-awareness is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing journey. It requires continuous exploration and a willingness to embrace change. Overcoming resistance to feedback and taking ownership of our areas for improvement will be challenging, but the rewards are worth it.

Self-awareness is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. By reflecting on our thoughts, feelings, and motivations, we gain valuable insights that lead to better decision-making and emotional management. 

How aware are you? Spend some time looking at your reflection, and see what comes up!

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📚 BOOK RECOMMENDATION

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown

Leadership is not about titles, status, and wielding power. A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for recognizing the potential in people and ideas and has the courage to develop that potential.

When we dare to lead, we don’t pretend to have the right answers; we stay curious and ask the right questions. We don’t see power as finite and hoard it; we know that power becomes infinite when we share it with others. We don’t avoid difficult conversations and situations; we lean into vulnerability when it’s necessary to do good work.

However, daring leadership in a culture defined by scarcity, fear, and uncertainty requires skill-building around traits that are deeply and uniquely human. The irony is that we’re choosing not to invest in developing the hearts and minds of leaders at the exact same time as we’re scrambling to figure out what we have to offer that machines and AI can’t do better and faster. What can we do better? Empathy, connection, and courage, to start.

Four-time #1 New York Times bestselling author Brené Brown has spent the past two decades studying the emotions and experiences that give meaning to our lives, and the past seven years working with transformative leaders and teams spanning the globe. She found that leaders in organizations ranging from small entrepreneurial startups and family-owned businesses to nonprofits, civic organizations, and Fortune 50 companies all ask the same question:

How do you cultivate braver, more daring leaders, and how do you embed the value of courage in your culture?

In Dare to Lead, Brown uses research, stories, and examples to answer these questions in the no-BSstyle that millions of readers have come to expect and love.

Brown writes, “One of the most important findings of my career is that daring leadership is a collection of four skill sets that are 100 percent teachable, observable, and measurable. It’s learning and unlearning that requires brave work, tough conversations, and showing up with your whole heart. Easy? No. Because choosing courage over comfort is not always our default. Worth it? Always. We want to be brave with our lives and our work. It’s why we’re here.”

Whether you’ve read Daring Greatly and Rising Strong or you’re new to Brené Brown’s work, this book is for anyone who wants to step up and into brave leadership.