As leaders, we KNOW the value and importance of feedback, unfortunately, there is still a lot we get wrong when it comes to getting feedback ourselves.
Here are the three things I see most frequently preventing leaders from gaining the self-awareness that could truly help them grow.
- Feedback is scary. Sure it is! We’re all afraid of rejection because our brains believe that if we get kicked out of the tribe we’re going to DIE! But we don’t live in the same environment that our brains evolved for and the discomfort of potential rejection is the admission price you pay to have the opportunity to become a great leader. This isn’t a life and death issue. It’s just information.
- I’d just rather not know. What if I’m not a 10/10 on everything? GREAT! You shouldn’t be. No one is. The power isn’t in being a 10/10. It’s in knowing that. Now you can show up with your strengths & empower your team to help cover your weaknesses. Steve Jobs was most certainly NOT a 10/10 on empathy, but because he KNEW that he could step aside when empathy was required and allow his team to shine. Again, it’s just information- and incidentally, people are going to THINK you’re not empathetic or funny, or any number of other things whether YOU know it or not. There is power in knowing.
- I already know my strengths. First of all, if you’ve done assessments like the Myers Brigs, or strengths finder, or enneagram great! It’s a START. But a) people change -when was the last time you did that review? and b) perhaps more importantly those are self-assessments! In other words you’re potentially reaffirming your own beliefs and biases about how you show up in the world! Not asking others who see you in a totally different light.
If you’re looking for a solution to become a more engaged, self-aware leader, I’d check out the app, icueity which offers continuous, simple, 360 reviews that can be used in real-time to get anonymous feedback from your team. What other recommendations do you all have for great ways to become more self-aware leaders? I’d love to hear how you’re helping yourself and your teams grow!
