The Self-aware leader: Understanding your impact.

Have you ever walked away from a conversation thinking it went great—only to find out later the other person felt frustrated or dismissed?
That gap between what you meant and what they felt is the space where self-awareness lives. And for leaders, that space determines everything—from trust to team performance.

Why Self-Awareness Matters

Self-awareness is the ability to see yourself clearly and understand how others experience you.
It’s not just emotional intelligence — it’s the foundation of effective leadership.
Research shows that self-aware leaders make better decisions, build stronger teams, and create cultures where people feel safe to speak up.

“Your leadership isn’t just what you say — it’s how people feel after you’ve said it.”

When you’re aware of how your words, tone, and presence affect others, you create clarity instead of confusion — and connection instead of conflict.

The Two Sides of Self-Awareness

According to researcher Tasha Eurich, there are two types of self-awareness:

• Internal self-awareness: How clearly you see your values, triggers, and emotions.

• External self-awareness: How well you understand how others experience you.

Strong leaders balance both. They know who they are and how they come across.

Common Blind Spots

• You often have to “clarify what you meant.”

• Your team seems defensive or disengaged.

• You rarely receive feedback.

• You justify behavior with “that’s just how I am.”

If that sounds familiar, your intent and impact might not be aligned.

How to Build It

1️⃣ Reflect: Ask, “What’s it like to be on the other side of me?”
2️⃣ Seek feedback: Use “feed-forward” — “What’s one thing I could do differently next time?”
3️⃣ Observe: Pay attention to tone, interruptions, and body language.
4️⃣ Stay curious: Listen to understand, not to respond.

Turning Awareness into Action

Try this weekly check-in:
Reflect → Identify → Reframe → Reset.
Don’t aim for perfection — aim for consistent curiosity.

When you practice self-awareness, you don’t just communicate better — you lead better.
You build trust, strengthen relationships, and create workplaces where people feel valued.

Because awareness precedes alignment.
And alignment precedes action.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of The Build A Better Business Podcast: https://www.lftconsult.com/build-a-better-business-podcast