The Value of Self-Awareness I
Caroline Gourlay
"Know thyself" as the old maxim goes. Join Caroline Gourlay as she explores two of the four elements of self-awareness.
"Know thyself" as the old maxim goes. Join Caroline Gourlay as she explores two of the four elements of self-awareness.
Subscribe to watch
Access this and all of the content on our platform by signing up for a 7-day free trial.
The Value of Self-Awareness I
6 mins 22 secs
Key learning objectives:
Define self-awareness
Understand what self-understanding means
Understand what self-knowledge means
Identify how they can help you work more effectively
Overview:
Self-awareness is the ability to recognise and understand your own thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, and how they affect others. It is a foundational skill emphasised in leadership, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal development programs. To develop self-awareness you need self-understanding (uncovering the reasons behind your traits and behaviours) and self-knowledge (identifying recurring characteristics, preferences, strengths, and weaknesses).
Subscribe to watch
Access this and all of the content on our platform by signing up for a 7-day free trial.
Summary
What is self-awareness, and why is it important?
Self-awareness is the ability to recognise and understand your own thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, and how they affect others. It is a foundational skill emphasised in leadership, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal development programs. Research shows that self-aware leaders are perceived as authentic and can positively influence corporate performance. Without self-awareness, people may lack control over their reactions, fail to understand their impact on others, and miss opportunities to collaborate effectively due to blind spots. Developing self-awareness helps you respond intentionally rather than react instinctively.
What are the first two elements of self-awareness?
- Self-knowledge: Recognising your personal traits, preferences, and tendencies
- Self-understanding: Exploring the deeper motivations and causes behind your feelings and actions
What is self-knowledge?
Self-knowledge is about identifying recurring characteristics, preferences, strengths, and weaknesses. For example, you might learn that you work best in the morning, need time alone to recharge, or struggle to stay productive without external deadlines. It also involves noticing how specific situations or people trigger strong emotional responses.
How can you develop self-knowledge?
- Observe your reactions in different situations, focusing on recurring patterns
- Reflect on questions like:
- When do you feel happiest or most productive
- What types of people or situations energise or frustrate you?
- Seek feedback from trusted individuals to uncover blind spots
This practice is not a one-time activity but an ongoing journey as your circumstances and roles evolve.
What is self-understanding?
Self-understanding goes deeper than self-knowledge by uncovering the reasons behind your traits and behaviours. For example, you might learn that you value alone time because you’re an introvert or that a dislike of authority stems from past experiences.
How can you improve your self-understanding?
- Self-reflection: Take time to analyse situations that evoke strong emotions or highlight successes
- Personality assessments: Use tools like 16 Personalities for quick insights or seek qualified professionals for robust evaluations
- Feedback: Ask people you trust to share observations about you
How can self-knowledge and self-understanding help you work more effectively?
- Self-knowledge helps you identify when and how you perform best, allowing you to structure your work to align with your strengths
- Self-understanding enables you to address the root causes of unproductive habits and adapt your responses to different situations
Together, these elements allow you to accept your natural tendencies, build on your strengths, and create strategies to overcome challenges, making you a more effective and authentic individual.
Subscribe to watch
Access this and all of the content on our platform by signing up for a 7-day free trial.
Caroline Gourlay
Caroline Gourlay is a Chartered Psychologist with over 25 years of experience in leadership development. She conducts psychological profiling for senior leaders, conducts management due diligence for private equity firms, and coaches individual leaders and leadership teams. Gourlay has worked in large corporates and the public sector, focusing on mid-sized, owner-managed businesses and professional service partnerships. She enjoys working with technical specialists to help them develop skills beyond technical excellence. Caroline also speaks and writes about psychology in the workplace.
There are no available Videos from "Caroline Gourlay"