Internal and External Self-Awareness (Why It is Essential)
Being self-aware is crucial in managing ourselves and our relationships with others – whether in love, work, or other areas. When we possess self-awareness, we gain an understanding of our strengths and weaknesses, allowing us to function at our best. In this article, we will delve into both internal and external self-awareness and why it is essential.
What is self-Awareness?
It is essential to practice self-awareness which entails consciously mastering our thoughts and feelings. People often presume that they know themselves well. However, this is not the case most times. For a leader to function effectively, it is essential to practice what psychologist Tasha Eurich called internal and external self-awareness.
Internal Self-Awareness
It is how we see ourselves regarding our values, aspirations, and passion. Internal self-awareness is what most people already practice. However, it is essential to have a mix of internal and external self-aware. The question is how aware are you externally?
External self-awareness
External self-awareness is understanding how people view us regarding our internal self. To become externally self-aware, we should be open to critical feedback not only from people at the same level as us but also from people from all levels, such as supervisors, junior employees, and people we trust.
A few years back, I remember going to my manager and asking her to give me feedback about myself. Of course, I know myself, but I also wanted to know how others perceived me. The feedback she gave me was illuminating. You too can practice external self-awareness by asking for honest feedbacks from the people you trust and are closest to you.
Conclusion
People who are internally and externally self-awareness are known to take on others’ perspectives and are most empathic. As a diversity trainer, one of the first steps to embracing diversity is practicing both internal and external self-awareness. It is because when people are self-aware, they can be open minded and welcome new ideas.
Further Reading
https://hbr.org/2018/01/what-self-awareness-really-is-and-how-to-cultivate-it
Like this article, comment, share and connect with me on my social media platforms.
