5 Ways Self-Awareness Changes How You Live and Lead
It is a tough question, but one of the most important ones I have asked myself lately.
During one of the coaching and mentorship sessions with Coach Lulu Rasugu at the African Sisters Network, we reflected on self awareness, and it opened my eyes to the two sides of it.
Internal self-awareness is the inward look: my thoughts, values, fears, and patterns while external self-awareness is how other people experience me through my words, actions, and behaviour.You need both.
Here are my five key take aways from the session on the importance of self awareness.
1. I understand myself better
Self-awareness helps me see what drives me and what matters most to me. I get clearer on my strengths, my weaknesses, and my patterns. Everyone is unique, and the more familiar I am with who I am, the better I can work with myself instead of against myself.
Tip: Build a personal board of advisors, and mix up the personalities. Different perspectives show you what you can’t see on your own.
2. I can receive feedback objectively
Without self-awareness, feedback can trigger defensiveness, anger, embarrassment, or arguments. With it, I can listen without rushing to defend myself. I don’t have to agree with everything I hear, but I can hear it, weigh it, and keep what’s useful.
3. I can take responsibility
When I am self-aware, I start recognising my part in situations instead of blaming others. It means being honest about my choices, actions, and responses. Two questions help me here:
- What was my part in this?
- What is the next course of action?
4. I become more intentional
Self-awareness moves me from living on autopilot to living with purpose. Here’s a question I keep coming back to: if I could watch myself on a big screen, would I be happy with what I see? What would my story look like?
I want to wake up each day asking how I can make it count, because I’m working towards my ten-year goal.
5. I become more gracious to others
When I understand myself better, I’m more curious about other people. Instead of reacting, I ask, “What happened to them?” That helps me listen well, show up with intention, and build deeper connections.
People are not commodities to use. Be kind to them.
Over to you
So, what is it like to interact with you? If you’re not sure, ask someone you trust, and be ready to listen without defending.
