Knowing You… Part 2

In the previous post we talked about why the best leaders know the most about themselves & the powerful benefits of becoming a Student of Yourself. 

If you missed it, hop over now and join the conversation.

The best leaders know themselves and respond before their emotions can react. They discover the subtle but significant differences in Learning Yourself and Studying Yourself. 

But it doesn’t stop there. To effectively Study Yourself you need to take 3 steps.

Self Study Steps:
1. Write.
Write down what you have learned about yourself and every week decide if this is a trait you want to improve or capitalize on. This is your own personal self improvement plan. Great leaders don’t wait for someone else to suggest they improve.

Know your limitations
The worst thing you could do is seek to drastically improve an area you are not skilled at. Set bold but realistic expectations. Look for key skills or attitudes that you can begining working on immediately.

Know your focus
Ensure that your areas are focused on what’s beneficial, not just acceptable. You must put critical thinking into developing the most meaningful changes you could make about yourself. This is the old “If you could only change one thing about you, what would it be?” question. Answer it and make moves!

Great leaders don't wait for someone else to suggest they improve. Share on X

2. Talk.
Talk to those around you, your coworkers, those you manage and those who managed you. Tell them that you’ve learned some things about yourself and wanted to see if they have noticed them. Allowing others to know you’re working on you can be one of the most powerful tools in how you connect and influence others. Leaders who are teachable normalize growth and learning for everyone around them.

Leaders who are teachable normalize growth and learning for everyone around them. Share on X

3. Ask.
Ask for feedback on how you can improve as a team member and leader. Be specific. Be intentional. To improve yourself as a team member and leader, you can’t depend on your perspective. It’s up to you to seek out feedback from smart and influential people — those who support you and those who don’t.

To improve yourself as a team member and leader, you can’t depend on your perspective. Share on X

Bonus Step to Knowing Yourself!

3. A Student Applies

A bonus step to Knowing Yourself is to combine Learning & Studying and Apply what you’ve learned and studied.

All students know the test is coming. Test are meant to determine if you can apply the principles behind what you have learned and studied. Knowledge for the sake of knowledge, studying for the sake of studying is pointless and wasteful. The test determines if what’s in your head has made it to your heart.

The test determines if what's in your head has made it to your heart. Share on X

Knowledge and wisdom gained but never used relegates the “power of knowledge” to a mere mental exercise. Without a real life experience calling out what’s inside of you, neither you nor those around you, will know if you have what it takes to go to the next level. The test in front of us is meant to pull the knowledge into action.

The test in front of us is meant to pull the knowledge into action. Share on X

If you discovered that you wait till the last minute to finished projects (you already kind of knew that) but just realized the burden it places on the team members around you (that – you didn’t know), what are you going to do about it? Learn about you, Study ways to improve and Apply those actions, today.

Life is a living test and the material was just covered yesterday – if you’re lucky. Your role, your ministry, your purpose is far too important to ignore the things you just discovered. Let every part of you become the best part of you.

Let every part of you become the best part of you. Share on X

 

Avery