The COVID-19 pandemic has carved a dark entry into the history of mankind, causing severe illness and death, and has psyched out the daily lives of all the people. It has not only harmed public health but also threatened the long-term livelihoods and well-being of millions of people.
The COVID-19 pandemic has become a two-dimensional event that has changed the world.
- First, the changes that were expected to take a decade or more were accelerated to months.
- Secondly, people have been shocked and have turned inwards (literally) rather than outwards.
However, the main challenge that we face is that, as people get back to normal or pseudo normal modes, some of the deep learning is running the risk of erosion.
Thus, the earlier we get people to understand the importance of self-awareness, the sooner will it bring some normalization of past standards and will create a great opportunity to set revolutionary standards with meaning.
Understanding Self Awareness
A variety of definitions of self-awareness have been used by researchers over the last 50 years. Some define it as the ability to observe our inner world, while others define it as a temporary state of self-consciousness. Others define it as the gap between how we see ourselves and how others see us. So, before we could move on, we need to first synthesise these findings and develop an overarching definition.
Two broad categories of self-awareness emerged repeatedly in the studies I examined. The first, which we call internal self-awareness, refers to how well we understand our own values, passions, aspirations, fit with our environment, reactions (including thoughts, feelings, behaviours, strengths, and weaknesses), and impact on others. Internal self-awareness has been found to be positively related to job and relationship satisfaction, personal and social control, and happiness, while negatively related to anxiety, stress, and depression.
The second category, external self-awareness, refers to understanding how other people perceive us in terms of the same factors mentioned above. Now, it may seem natural to believe that being high on one type of awareness implies being high on the other. But in reality, there is no correlation between the two.
So, what exactly is self-awareness? According to Psychologists Shelley Duval and Robert Wicklund, “The ability to focus on yourself and how your actions, thoughts, or emotions align or do not align with your internal standards is referred to as self-awareness. You can objectively evaluate yourself, manage your emotions, align your behaviour with your values, and correctly understand how others perceive you if you are highly self-aware.”
Harnessing Self Awareness For A Better Future
With the changing demography and structure of the fabric of people becoming adults, self-awareness is a magic pill that everyone needs. It not only makes you a better version of yourself but also helps a leader make better choices.
Leaders who are self-aware have the ability to set realistic expectations. It liberates us from our preconceptions and biases and aids in the development of stronger relationships. It improves our ability to control our emotions.
It assists leaders in understanding what they bring to their roles. Understanding a leader’s strengths in both industry skills and knowledge as well as personal characteristics enables them to perform their responsibilities within an organisation more effectively.
The future should be defined by a benchmark set within that refers to what is outside rather than an outside-in approach of looking at who is doing what and then aligning oneself.
So, do you want to be happier, have more influence, make better decisions, and be a better leader? Then self-awareness is the most important muscle you need to develop. Join us this ICW and explore how we can harness self-awareness to build a better future.
About The Speaker
Raghavan Veera is a Life and Leadership Coach. As a budding entrepreneur, he considers himself to be a student of life through a process of exploration and an enabler of outcomes. Raghavan coaches people by walking alongside them to optimise their potential, achieve their goals and live from a space of holistic satisfaction.
He worked in the Investment Banking industry for 15 years and submitted himself to the various challenges and opportunities that came his way. Through the process, he was exposed to people and thoughts from various cultures across the world. This experience has been critical in Raghavan’s exploration into the limitless possibilities that humanity can manifest in different dimensions.
As a coach, he is a strong proponent of “Self Awareness” and believes that in today’s organizations it is the “soul” ingredient that is missing in action to create exponential outcomes.
Raghavan currently works with individuals and organizations to enable people to become more self-aware of their potential and drive long-term results that in turn impact several people in the community. Apart from people, Raghavan loves travelling, photography, and wildlife!
