This chapter will provide you with the tools and exercises to increase your self-awareness since it is important to understand that your personality as a leader, your strengths and weaknesses, and your values influence the way you are leading others.
First, let’s start this lesson with a reflection:
Have you ever asked yourself why you are totally in sync with some people but then struggle to work well with others?
Your personality type plays a big role in this! You might find yourself comfortable around people who share the same beliefs, opinions and values as yourself, but the truth is leadership is not just about yourself, it is about understanding, accepting and engaging everyone you work with.
Remember
Your personality has a great impact on your leadership style, so it is essential to understand your personality type and acknowledge which aspects have to be learned to enhance your perspectives.
Everything DISC
One of the first self-awareness activities you and your team could try is a personality profile. There are lots of different options, but I use Everything DiSC. It is a very simple and accurate tool to help you understand why you think, act and behave the way you do. There are 4 key styles – Dominance, influence, steadiness, and conscientiousness – and you might have a blend of all four, or be dominant in one particular style.
The Problem:
Every team needs a blend of people who complement each other. No one is skilled in all areas, so it is a gift to understand your style and the natural strengths and weaknesses of it, as well as how that impacts on the way you lead. You can, of course, adapt your style in any given situation, but if you stay in that arena too long, you will start to lose yourself a little. We can all adapt and be flexible, but no one can deny their natural abilities for too long and neither should we ask them too.
The Solution:
Accepting your personality type enables you to take responsibility for your decisions and actions. You become accountable and empowered to make changes or to celebrate your strengths. You can adapt your behaviours to better manage relationships and connect with others who have different styles. It helps you to understand others as well as yourself. It can help you to work smarter, better and with greater clarity. It will also help you to see how others perceive you and open up the blind spots. A profile can be like looking in the mirror for the first time and seeing yourself in a whole new light.
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