Self-Awareness for Authentic Leadership Success
This summer has been an adventure for my family and me, from the bustling streets of San Diego to the serene beaches of South Carolina. It has been a busy season filled with fun and relaxation. Taking a break from the constant hustle has been refreshing and has helped me recharge—a lesson I've embraced through my self-awareness journey.
Reflecting on my summer break, I realize how crucial self-awareness is for effective leadership, both at home and work.
You don’t need a formal leadership title to be a leader. We are all leaders in our unique ways.
Whether you’re guiding a team at work, supporting your family, or contributing to your community, your ability to lead starts from within. It’s about becoming the leader you were born to be. By being fully present during our vacations—watching my kids play on the beach instead of thinking about my next newsletter topic—I’ve learned to enjoy the moment. This attentiveness has carried over to my professional life, helping me show up as my true self, not changing who I am to fit what I think others want from me. This is particularly significant for me as a Type 3 on the Enneagram.
Become the Leader You Were Born to Be
A common challenge my clients face is not recognizing their unique gifts and trying leadership strategies that don’t align with their true selves. This often leads to disconnection with their teams, burnout, and second-guessing their decisions. Self-awareness, particularly through the Enneagram, is a game-changer. Understanding your Enneagram type helps you uncover and leverage your inherent strengths, leading to more authentic and impactful leadership.
Take one of my clients, a talented fractional CMO who always felt something was missing in her career. As an Enneagram Type 2, she had a natural gift for supporting and connecting with others. However, she often struggled with setting boundaries, which led to burnout and feeling underappreciated. She also found it difficult to delegate tasks, fearing that she would no longer be needed if she did.
Through the Enneagram, she discovered the importance of valuing her own needs as much as she valued others'. She learned to set healthy boundaries and delegate more effectively, which not only preserved her energy but also empowered her team members. Within months, she transformed her leadership style, boosting team morale and fostering a collaborative environment. Her company saw a significant increase in team productivity and employee satisfaction, and she finally felt fulfilled in her role.
Her story isn't unique. It's a testament to a profound truth: leadership isn't about strategy, grit, or dominating a room. It's about understanding yourself.
A study by Zes and Landis (2021) found that leaders with high self-awareness were 6.1 times more likely to be high performers and 8.9 times more likely to foster high-trust environments.
WITH SELF AWARENESS YOU CAN
1️⃣ Make wiser choices in how you engage with others
Knowing your motivations and behaviors allows you to interact more effectively and authentically.
2️⃣ Improve communication between team members
Clear understanding of each other's strengths and weaknesses leads to more productive and meaningful conversations.
3️⃣ Create a healthier culture, with far less conflict and more collaboration
When everyone understands their role and how they contribute, it reduces misunderstandings and fosters teamwork. A study published in the International Journal of Business and Management found that leaders who incorporated self-awareness practices, like those facilitated by the Enneagram, saw a 25% increase in team performance and a 50% reduction in workplace conflicts (Johnson, 2019).
4️⃣ Drastically increase employee engagement and retention
Employees feel valued and understood, leading to higher satisfaction and loyalty. Miao et al. (2018) found that leaders with high emotional intelligence (closely linked to self-awareness) had teams with 19% higher productivity and 59% less turnover.
5️⃣ Put your people to work in the right areas so your hard work is worth it
Aligning strengths with tasks ensures that everyone is working efficiently and effectively.
Leadership extends far beyond the boardroom.
You’re the chief executive of your own life, making decisions daily that shape your personal and professional journey. By embracing self-awareness through the Enneagram, you’re not just becoming a better leader – you’re becoming the leader you were born to be.
READY TO BECOME A LEADER OF CLARITY, CONNECTION, AND CONFIDENCE?
If you're starting a new role, have recently been promoted, considering a career change, or just want to lead and speak with more clarity connection, and confidence, these can all be great reasons to work with me! For leaders looking to deepen their understanding of self and enhance their effectiveness, I offer the Breakthrough Blueprint service.
This 90 minute session will help you:
Discover your Enneagram type and its leadership implications
Leverage your unique strengths for personal and professional growth
Overcome challenges specific to your type
Develop strategies to lead authentically in any situation
With my Enneagram Breakthrough Blueprint, you’ll get:
Deep Exploration: Go beyond standard online reports with a comprehensive understanding of your Enneagram type.
Complex Insights: Move past basic behaviors and stereotypes to uncover the complexities of your type.
Practical Tools: Gain actionable tips for immediate personal and professional growth.
As always, I LOVE hearing from you… what are you taking from today’s content?
Comment below or email me at info@brandystamper.com
Until next week, keep thriving!
References:
Johnson, R. (2019). The impact of self-awareness practices on leadership effectiveness and team performance. International Journal of Business and Management, 14(8), 123-135.
Miao, C., Humphrey, R. H., & Qian, S. (2018). A meta‐analysis of emotional intelligence effects on job satisfaction mediated by job resources, and a test of moderators. Personality and Individual Differences, 122, 195-199.
Sutton, A., Williams, H. M., & Allinson, C. W. (2015). A longitudinal, mixed method evaluation of self-awareness training in the workplace. European Journal of Training and Development, 39(7), 610-627.
Zes, D., & Landis, D. (2021). The self-aware leader: A proven model for reinventing yourself. Leader to Leader, 2021(100), 47-52.
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