This blog explores the multifaceted nature of the leader’s orientation to ongoing personal and professional development, delving into the crucial role of self-awareness in shaping exemplary leadership behaviors. We will also explore relevant components of the Leadership Circle Profile (LCP), an advanced assessment tool used to gauge leadership competencies, and how they intersect with the leader’s journey of development and self-awareness.

The Importance of Self-Awareness in Leadership

Self-awareness can be described as the ability to accurately perceive and comprehend one’s own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Leaders who possess high levels of self-awareness are more attuned to their strengths and limitations, which allows them to leverage their strengths effectively and seek support or development in areas of weakness. Moreover, self-aware leaders are better equipped to understand how their actions impact their team members and the overall organizational culture.

The journey towards self-awareness involves continuous introspection, reflection, and feedback-seeking. Leaders must engage in practices such as journaling, mindfulness, and self-assessment to gain deeper insights into their behavior patterns and triggers. Additionally, seeking feedback from peers, mentors, and subordinates can provide valuable perspectives on blind spots and areas for improvement.

The Leadership Circle Profile (LCP) is a robust 360-degree assessment tool that evaluates leadership competencies and behaviors. It offers valuable insights into a leader’s effectiveness and the impact they have on their team and organization. Let’s explore how key components of LCP align with ongoing personal and professional development and self-awareness:

Creative Competencies:

• Visionary: Leaders with a strong vision possess clarity of purpose and direction. To foster ongoing development, leaders must regularly revisit their vision, ensuring it remains aligned with organizational goals and evolving market trends.
• Systems Thinker: Self-aware leaders recognize the interconnectedness of various elements within their organization and beyond. Cultivating a systems-thinking mindset enables leaders to anticipate potential challenges and opportunities.

Reactive Tendencies:

• Controlling: Self-awareness helps leaders identify control-oriented tendencies, promoting a shift towards empowerment and delegation. Embracing vulnerability and openness can lead to more authentic and trusting relationships with team members.
• Compliance: Leaders who seek ongoing development understand the importance of flexibility and adaptability. Letting go of rigid adherence to norms allows for more innovative problem-solving and decision-making.
  

Emotional Intelligence:

• Authenticity: Self-aware leaders acknowledge their emotions without judgment, leading to more authentic interactions with others. They recognize the impact of emotional authenticity on building trust and rapport with their team.
• Courage: Developing emotional intelligence involves confronting uncomfortable emotions and situations with courage and resilience. Leaders who embrace vulnerability and risk-taking can inspire their teams to embrace change and challenge the status quo.

Here are some practical tips and tools inspired by the LCP to help leaders cultivate ongoing personal and professional development and enhance self-awareness: 

• Leadership Circle Profile Assessment: Start by taking the Leadership Circle Profile Assessment yourself. This 360-degree feedback tool will provide you with a comprehensive view of your leadership strengths and areas for development, serving as a baseline for your growth journey.
• Identify Leadership Patterns: Use the LCP results to identify patterns in your leadership behavior. Pay attention to both the Creative Competencies (visionary, systems thinker) and Reactive Tendencies (controlling, compliance) to recognize your default leadership responses.
• Create a Development Plan: Based on your LCP assessment, create a personalized development plan. Focus on strengthening your Creative Competencies and reducing Reactive Tendencies. Set specific and measurable goals for each competency.
• Seek Feedback from Multiple Sources: Similar to the LCP’s 360-degree feedback approach, actively seek feedback from colleagues, subordinates, superiors, and other stakeholders. Ask for specific examples to gain deeper insights into your leadership impact.
• Leadership Coaching: Consider working with a leadership coach who is trained in interpreting LCP assessments. A coach can help you gain a deeper understanding of your LCP results and guide you in creating an effective development plan.
• Journaling with LCP Insights: Use the LCP results as a guide for reflective journaling. Write about situations where your strengths shone through and moments when Reactive Tendencies might have hindered your leadership effectiveness.
• Facilitate Group Feedback Sessions: Encourage open and honest feedback sessions within your team using the LCP model. Create a safe space for team members to share their observations and perceptions of your leadership behavior.
• Attend LCP Workshops: Look for workshops or seminars specifically designed to explore and interpret LCP results. Engaging in discussions with other leaders who have taken the assessment can provide valuable perspectives and insights.
• Set Developmental Stretch Goals: Challenge yourself to set developmental stretch goals that push you beyond your comfort zone. Aim to apply your Creative Competencies in new and innovative ways, breaking free from reactive patterns.
• Practice Mindfulness for Self-Awareness: Use mindfulness practices to increase self-awareness. Mindfulness helps you become more attuned to your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, fostering a deeper understanding of yourself as a leader.
• Track Progress and Reassess: Regularly review your progress in developing your Creative Competencies and reducing Reactive Tendencies. Reassess using the LCP periodically to gauge improvements and adjust your development plan accordingly.
• Share Your Development Journey: Lead by example and share your development journey with your team. Discuss how you are working on your strengths and areas for improvement, encouraging them to do the same.
• Encourage LCP-Based Leadership Development: Advocate for the use of LCP assessments within your organization for other leaders. Encouraging a culture of continuous feedback and development will benefit the entire organization.
• Use LCP Results for Succession Planning: Utilize LCP assessments in succession planning and leadership development initiatives. Identify potential future leaders and design development programs based on their individual LCP insights.
• Celebrate Growth and Learning: Celebrate the progress you and your team make on your development journey. Recognize and reward efforts to enhance self-awareness and foster a learning culture within the organization.

Creating a personal toolkit inspired by the Leadership Circle Profile (LCP) can support leaders in their ongoing personal and professional development. This toolkit comprises resources, strategies, and practices that align with the key competencies and insights gained from the LCP assessment:

• Visioning Journal: Keep a journal dedicated to articulating and refining your vision as a leader. Regularly write down your long-term goals, aspirations, and ideas for the future of your team or organization. Revisit and revise your vision as needed based on new insights and developments.
• Systems Thinking Mind Map: Create a visual mind map that depicts the interconnectedness of various elements within your organization. Use this tool to analyze how changes in one area might affect others, helping you anticipate potential challenges and identify leverage points for positive impact.
• Leadership Bookshelf: Build a collection of leadership books and resources that align with the competencies you want to develop. These books can offer insights, strategies, and real-life examples of exemplary leadership.
• Emotional Intelligence Toolkit: Develop a toolkit of practices to enhance emotional intelligence. This might include mindfulness exercises, emotion regulation techniques, and resources on empathetic communication.
• Feedback Tracker: Keep a log of feedback received from different sources, such as colleagues, subordinates, and mentors. Analyze patterns and identify areas for improvement to track your progress in developing as a leader.
• Personal Growth Plan: Create a structured personal growth plan that outlines specific goals, actions, and timelines for your ongoing development. Break down large goals into smaller, achievable milestones.
• Adaptability Strategies: Compile strategies and best practices for embracing change and cultivating adaptability. This toolkit can include tips for managing uncertainty and leading through transitions effectively.
• Authenticity Checklist: Develop a checklist to evaluate your authenticity as a leader. Use this tool to assess how well you express your true self, values, and emotions in your leadership role.
• Courage Action Plan: Design an action plan for embracing courage and resilience as a leader. Outline specific steps to take when facing difficult decisions or challenging situations.
• Strengths and Development Wheel: Create a visual representation of your strengths and areas for development. This tool can help you identify how your strengths can be maximized and how to address development areas effectively.
• Continuous Learning Library: Curate a library of resources, articles, and online courses related to leadership and your specific areas of interest. Dedicate time regularly to learning and self-study.
• Reflective Prompts Deck: Develop a deck of cards with reflective prompts related to the LCP competencies. Pull a card each day or week and spend time contemplating the questions to deepen your self-awareness.
• Leadership Workshop Toolkit: Prepare a toolkit for facilitating leadership workshops based on the LCP model. Include activities, exercises, and discussion topics to engage teams in exploring leadership competencies.
• Mindfulness Apps and Resources: Explore mindfulness apps and resources to support your journey of self-awareness and stress management. Regular meditation and mindfulness practices can enhance your leadership presence.
• Gratitude Journal: Maintain a gratitude journal to reflect on the positive aspects of your leadership journey. Expressing gratitude can reinforce positive behaviors and foster a sense of fulfillment as a leader.