Self-awareness may not be a natural strength for everyone, but we should all make a habit of reflecting on our behaviour and attitudes to adapt as we navigate life. 

Self-awareness helps:

• Improved decision-making: Self-awareness helps us make decisions that align with our goals and values and helps us understand any gaps where we may need further support to make important decisions.
• Increased empathy: Knowing our own emotions and motivations allows us to connect well with others, leading to better and more meaningful and authentic relationships.
• Better well-being: By identifying who we are at our core and appreciating our uniqueness, we can promote positive thought patterns through acceptance and gratitude.
• Greater personal growth: Identifying areas for improvement helps us set and achieve goals with ease.

In summary, self-awareness is crucial for future-proofing personal and professional success. How can we leverage our strengths to improve our self-awareness?

Reflect on experiences: 

Reflect on moments when you felt particularly engaged or successful in a task or activity. Think about what comes naturally to you. If you have trouble recalling such instances, consider reviewing your strengths report. You might discover that some of your strengths are learned behaviours or even weaknesses that you've developed a habit of relying on too heavily.

By first identifying the automatic ways in which we approach a task and reframing our approach with the right language, reflection allows us to approach tasks differently and more effectively. Engaging in regular self-reflection strengthens our personal growth. 

Leverage for goals: 

Using our strengths to achieve our goals can be a powerful tool. By reflecting on our strengths and mapping them to our goals, we can identify innovative approaches and grow in new and exciting ways. 

The beauty of leveraging our strengths is that it provides us with a solid foundation to build upon, removing the guesswork and propelling us forward towards success. 

By regularly practicing and utilising our unrealised strengths, we open ourselves up to new opportunities for growth which can be an incredibly empowering experience. 

Connecting to others:

When working with others, it can be challenging to feel heard or find common ground to move forward. By clearly articulating our strengths, we can prevent misunderstandings and promote more effective exchanges. It may help to also be open about our weaknesses, so others understand where we are coming from.

The language used in our Strengths Profile can serve as a tool for understanding how each person works best. This shared language can help shift the focus from emotional reactions to collaborative problem-solving. It creates a space for people to re-evaluate their perspective and think about their strengths in a new light. 

By leveraging our strengths to improve communication, we can build stronger relationships with others and work together more effectively. 

Remember, if Self-Awareness isn’t in your Realised or Unrealised Strengths, there are many other ‘Being’ strengths within the strengths families that you can use to compensate. 

Find out your strengths with our Profiles here.