4. Understanding Yourself

4. Understanding Yourself

3Copyright ©2013 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Chapter Overview

Role of self-awareness in leadership Role of values in developing character Understanding strengths and how to apply

them to life


Understanding Yourself

Nature vs. nurture debate Example: Someone may be tall and seen as

imposing, even though they are quiet and shy. Can intentionally choose to develop desired

traits or skills. Cannot always change the way others view

you, but you can still be authentic.


Self-Leadership Development

No one can teach you about yourself except you (Bennis, 1989).

Common human temptation is to try to be like someone else, but that is like trying to live someone else’s life.

Awareness ultimately requires you to be introspective about yourself.


Self-Leadership Development

Four lessons to develop self-knowledge: 1. You are your own best teacher. 2. Accept responsibility. Blame no one. 3. You can learn anything you want to learn. 4. True understanding comes from reflection

on your experience.Bennis, W. G. (1989). On becoming a leader. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.


If you often sit in a meeting and think,

“It’s not my responsibility; I will just let the leaders do it. After all, it’s their job,”

then you need to develop more self-leadership skills.


Esteem and Confidence

How you think and feel about yourself is the energy that fuels your motivation.

Self-esteem is the subjective element of how you feel about yourself.

Honoring your strengths and addressing your weaknesses are essential first steps toward higher self-esteem.



Self-confidence is the ability to know that you can rely on your strengths, competencies, and skills in the many contexts in which you find yourself.

Realizing that you cannot change some things about yourself is a step toward higher self-esteem. You can however, learn new skills and add to your

knowledge base.



Cognitive Reframing: perceiving things differently—a different way of thinking.

“I didn’t belong as a kid, and that always bothered me. If only I’d known that one day my differentness would be an asset, then my early life would have been much easier.” ―Bette Midler


Emotional Intelligence

“The capacity for recognizing our own feelings and those of others, for motivating ourselves, and for managing emotions well in ourselves and in our relationships.”―Goleman


Emotional Intelligence

Five qualities of effective leaders: Self-awareness Self-regulation Motivation Empathy Social skill


Developing Your Talents and Strengths

Effective leaders know what they do best and apply their strengths in all aspects of their lives.

Buckingham and Clifton assumptions: Each person’s talents are enduring and unique. Each person’s greatest room for growth is in the

area of his or her greatest strength.


“The real tragedy of life is not that each of us doesn’t have enough strengths, it’s that we fail to use the ones that we have.”


Developing Your Talents and Strengths

Humans remember four negative memories to every positive one.*

However, individuals respond to praise and positive affirmation. Confidence and motivation to grow increase when strengths and talents are affirmed.

If some of your strengths are overemphasized, they can become your weakness. And what you consider to be weaknesses may actually be seen as strengths by others.

* Roberts et al. (2005). How to play to your strengths. Harvard Business Review, 83,(1),75–80.


Identifying Your Passions and Strengths

Try these strategies to find your strengths: Listen to yourself when you have done something well,

even if no one else noticed. Identify the satisfaction you feel when you know

something you did was terrific and gives you a feeling of well-being.

Know what things you find easy to learn quickly. Study your successes for clues of excellence. Think about your patterns of excellence―when you

practice a skill and you feel it improve each time you do it.

Clifton, D. O., & Nelson, P. (1992). Soar with your strengths. New York, NY: Delacorte Press.


Character Strengths and Virtues

The VIA classification includes three conceptual levels: Virtues Character strengths Situational themes

VIA measures character strengths using a strengths-based approach to measuring character.


VIA Six Virtues

The VIA classification scheme is organized around six virtues: Courage Justice Wisdom and knowledge Humanity Temperance Transcendence

Peterson, C., & Seligman, M.E.P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.


VIA Classification

Wisdom and Knowledge Courage HumanityCreativity Bravery Love

Curiosity Perseverance Kindness

Judgment Honesty Social intelligence

Love of learning Zest

Perspective

Justice Temperance TranscendenceTeamwork Forgiveness Appreciation of beauty

and excellenceFairness Humility Gratitude

Leadership Prudence Hope

Self-regulation Humor

Spirituality


Values and Beliefs

Beliefs shape values, which influence your thoughts and actions.

If you can articulate your values, then you are likely to be aware of the principles and beliefs that serve as your guides.


Eight Moral Values

Research Question: “If you could help create a global code of ethics, what would it include?”

Their findings led to eight moral values likely to be exceptionally important in our shared global future:

Love Truthfulness Fairness Freedom Unity Tolerance Responsibility Respect for life


Character and Ethical Behavior

The Josephson Institute of Ethics proposes six pillars of character that are “enduring and indispensable” to ethical leadership practices:

Trustworthiness Respect Responsibility Fairness Caring Citizenship

4. Understanding Yourself

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