Applying Self-awareness: Case Study

Self-knowledge involves understanding your personal traits, preferences, strengths, and weaknesses. For Paul, self-knowledge meant recognising his tendency to feel anxious and his preference for being thoroughly prepared. He knew his biggest fear was being caught off guard in a professional setting. This self-awareness allowed Paul to identify the root of his behaviours, such as over-preparing for meetings and bringing excessive paperwork. While these habits made him appear competent, they also revealed his underlying anxiety, which sometimes disrupted his sleep and hindered his ability to focus on strategic contributions.

Self-understanding goes beyond knowing your habits and delves into why you act the way you do. For Paul, this involved exploring childhood experiences. His father’s high-stakes debates at the dinner table, where preparation determined success, shaped Paul’s intense need to always have the right answers. Reflecting on these early influences helped Paul realise that his anxiety stemmed from these formative experiences. By uncovering these deeper motivations, he could start addressing the emotional patterns driving his behaviour, enabling him to approach professional challenges more effectively.

Self-monitoring is about recognising your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations in the moment. For Paul, this meant noticing when anxiety was building, such as tension in his body or shallow breathing. By practicing relaxation techniques, like deep breathing, he learned to manage these sensations and stay calm under pressure. Through coaching, Paul also recognised that his over-preparation was holding him back from contributing to broader discussions. By challenging himself to prepare less and focus on big-picture thinking, Paul gradually became more comfortable with speculative discussions and less reliant on detailed preparation.

Interpersonal awareness involves understanding how you come across to others and being sensitive to their cues. For Paul, feedback revealed that when he felt defensive or under pressure, he could appear combative and overly focused on winning arguments, particularly with male colleagues. Additionally, Paul realised he had a blind spot when it came to engaging with female colleagues, as his childhood experiences hadn’t prepared him for inclusive conversations. By gaining awareness of these tendencies and learning to relax during tense moments, Paul was able to moderate his behaviour, making him more approachable and effective in his interactions.

Paul’s story illustrates how the four elements of self-awareness (self-knowledge, self-understanding, self-monitoring, and interpersonal awareness) can be integrated into daily life. By reflecting on his behaviours, understanding their roots, monitoring his reactions, and seeking feedback, Paul developed greater flexibility in his leadership style. These skills are invaluable for anyone looking to grow professionally, especially in leadership roles. They help you adapt your style to different situations and people, improving both your performance and relationships.