Leadership Self Awareness

What Exactly Is Leadership Self-Awareness?

There are many challenges of being a leader and successful fire service leaders are those that understand the meaning of self-awareness.

Leadership self-awareness is a  self-“a no holds barred-honest to the core”-examination. It includes five components

First Component-Emotions

Leaders understand when and how to use emotions to motivate the team. They also understand that using emotions is a balancing act as the use of too many emotions can discourage rather than motivate. When leaders use emotions they demonstrate to the team that they are human. Remember people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Second Component- Weaknesses

The acceptance and recognition of leadership weakness is a critical factor in self-awareness. When a leader recognizes personal weakness it becomes the first step in dealing with them and overcoming them. Too often pride gets in the way and causes the leader to miss character traits that are stumbling blocks for leadership success.

Third Component – Motivators

Authentic leaders choose to lead to make a difference in their profession and to positively impact others. They are motivated to lead for the right reasons and have a sense of calling in their life, and this sense of calling is the driving force when they first wake up in the morning to when they retire for the night. You recognize these leaders by their unselfish actions and willingness to sacrifice self to build others.

Fourth Component – Strengths

All successful leaders know what they are good at. They recognize their personal strengths and are confident in their abilities and they utilize their strengths to help others. A prime example being the leader that listens to others when they are hurting. Take note here- confidence is not cockiness and there is a big difference.

Fifth Component – Beliefs

All people have a core set of beliefs. Successful fire service leaders are those that believe in something greater than themselves. They know that great things require great effort and patience.

Their core belief system is what carries them through their leadership detours and roadblocks. There is little doubt that by understanding self-awareness the mediocre leader can become a successful and great leader.

Try it for yourself and see what happens.

No leader sets out to be a leader. People set out to live their lives expressing themselves fully. -Warren Bennis