Qualities of Great Leaders – Self-Awareness & Positive Self Image

Most leaders have a high level of self-awareness and a positive self-concept. They are confident in what they believe in. When the time comes to take action, great leaders know what to do and have the confidence to do it. “He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.” ― Lao Tzu

The need for a clear sense of self is critically important to leaders. One of the fundamental precepts of leadership is that it requires an individual to decide on a course of action that intentionally or unintentionally provides a direction for others. Leadership is action that influences the thinking and behavior of others. So, in order to decide to take action, you have to know what you believe in and have the confidence to act on it. We are all value-centered (what we do is based on what we value). It is important to focus on the source of our values – the culture at large, our habits, our traditions or universal principles? Great leaders possess a clear set of positive character principles to augment their self-awareness and self-concept.

A famous example of leadership in action occurred on December 1, 1955 in Montgomery Alabama when Rosa Parks, a colored woman who worked as a seamstress in a local department store, refused to give up her seat to a white person. At the time, racial segregation was the norm and there were separate sections on buses for white people and for colored people. On this particular occasion the white section was full and the bus driver ordered Ms. Parks to give up her seat so that a white person could sit down. This request was more than she could accept and so she refused. This was her act of leadership. Although it is not clear that she intended her refusal to trigger the events that followed, it is clear that her action resulted in a massive civil rights movement that permanently changed how people thought about segregation. Rosa Parks knew what she believed and had the courage and confidence to act on it.

“Leaders thrive by understanding who they are and what they value, by becoming aware of unhealthy blind spots or weaknesses that can derail them, and by cultivating the habit of continuous self-reflection and learning.” – Chris Lowney, Heroic Leadership

Great leaders act authentically. They regularly seek feedback to elevate their level of self-awareness and to ensure that they are role modeling the principles and values that they believe in. Dr. Seuss, a well-known American author and illustrator was quoted as saying: “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

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Dave

David Town, CHRP, is a facilitator and coach of leadership and management principles that enable individuals and organizations to build greater leadership competency, resulting in higher performance and higher employee engagement. David has a particular focus on effectively managing conversations involving confrontation or conflict. As well, he provides insights and assessment strategies for integrating character competencies into leadership skills resulting in increased trust and reduced risk for leaders. David is President of Your Leadership Matters Inc.