(Read time: 3 min)
Transformational coaches know themselves inside and out, and not by accident or happenstance. They use process and continuous learning to define, refine, and apply their beliefs and values in everything they do. Coaches with a high level of self-awareness enjoy the following benefits:
- A unique connectedness to people and the world around them
- An ability deliver on their coaching promises quickly and effectively
- Expert communication skills that contribute to their emotional intelligence
- An ability to help others reinvent themselves
Many people may think they know themselves, but those with superior self-awareness are actually quite rare. Self-awareness is the ability to see yourself clearly and understand why you act and react the way you do, is one of the cornerstones of emotional intelligence.
Do you know yourself as well as you would like to? Today more than ever, being self-aware is foundational for any coach because more clients are becoming self-aware. There are several techniques you can use to improve your ability to understand yourself.
Talk to good friends. Your friends see you differently than you see yourself. It can be a revealing experience to hear how a friend sees you, and that conversation can lead to greater self-awareness. A friend will be able to identify those things about you that make you, you, and shed light on. the unique contributions you make to the world. A trusted friend will be honest and open about how you can improve and become a better you. This level of self-awareness is difficult to achieve on your own. Based on what you learn, you will be equipped to modify the way you behave and interact with others.
Take a self-awareness assessment. There is a wide array of assessments available on the Internet and any one of them can help you achieve greater self-awareness. By understanding yourself, your strengths, and your weaknesses, you become better prepared to achieve your goals. This is true for your clients as well. We particularly recommend 16 Personalities as a spot on, ongoing process for understanding yourself from many perspectives.
Make time for reflection. Self-reflection involves looking into yourself to better understand your thought process, feelings and behaviors, strengths, and weaknesses. This is not intended to be a negative exercise but an honest exploration of yourself, which can raise your awareness of issues you may want to address.
Self-reflection is an intentional process, meaning you don’t do it randomly. Whenever you are feeling angry, ill-at-ease, sad, or upset, find time to stop and reflect. What was it that sparked your anger? Why didn’t others react the same way you did? Where does the sadness come from? What made you feel so out of place? Through reflection, you may discover emotional triggers you were previously unaware of.
Having the discipline and making time for self-reflection is essential. This prepares you mentally for an exercise in deep, honest thought and puts your brain into focus mode. Daily self-reflection may only require a few minutes and the benefits are worth every second. You may find it helpful to keep a journal to jot down your key thoughts and findings. This is also a good discipline to encourage in your clients.
The time you spend in reflection and raising your self-awareness increases your emotional intelligence. It will help you become a better decision-maker and increase your self-confidence —as a result, you will find you communicate with greater clarity and intention and are better able to understand things from multiple perspectives, which in turn helps you build better relationships. Once you raise your self-awareness, imagine the benefits of helping your clients do the same.
Thanks for reading, see you next week.
Even more Resources
1. The Little Book of Big Coaching Secrets – Home – The Passionate Coach
2. Living A Purpose-FULL Life eBook and Workbook- Living A Purpose-FULL Life – The Passionate Coach