When (lack of) self-awareness stands in the way of change
When (lack of) self-awareness stands in the way of change
Leila Ljungberg
When (lack of) self-awareness stands in the way of change
Leila Ljungberg
Have you ever experienced that work situation where everything seemed to be in order? The strategy was in place, communication was synchronized, everyone was ready and motivated. And then… nothing happened?
No matter how much we refine and calibrate in terms of direction and strategy, we often see that it doesn’t translate into action. The culprit? The human factor, as it might be stated in an incident investigation.
Change occurs at both the organizational and individual levels.
We work daily to help companies articulate their direction, vision, and create engagement around it. Identifying ways to strengthen behaviors and move towards their strategy is a key focus, all to bring about sustainable change.
For this to truly happen like magic, one crucial thing is required: individuals must be willing, prepared, and motivated to grow with the change. This entails strengthening their self-awareness. How do I act? What value does it create? How can I maximize the value without breaking?
When we work on both structure and culture at the organizational and individual levels, incorporating strategy and behavior, we observe faster progress, more efficient change, and increased engagement to contribute and find solutions. This lays the foundation for long-term change.
Self-awareness – or the lack thereof?
We live in a society where we are measured, driven, and quickly become accustomed to confirmation when we perform. It’s not uncommon for a crisis or a health condition to prompt us to start working on self-awareness and take care of ourselves. We argue that this work should start earlier and be continuous throughout life, especially in the fast-paced work environment where the pace of change is high.
It’s when we are in a recuperative state that we have the space to challenge ourselves. That’s when we have the energy and initiative to reflect on ourselves genuinely. It’s only then that we have the strength to receive feedback and act wisely. Self-reflection and personal development require, in addition to energy, both the will and courage from the individual. It also requires security and clarity from the cultural system, particularly evident in change efforts. When our clients work on direction, the cultural system, and individuals, we see that they succeed more extensively and sustainably.
Strengthen your self-awareness
Personal growth and increased self-awareness are, of course, lifelong endeavors. It means being incredibly curious about oneself and inspecting inwardly while adjusting outwardly. And it’s those continuous, good little habits that make the big difference. Here are three of our favorite reflections to nurture. Make it a habit to ask yourself these questions regularly:
- How do I want to be perceived by others? Why?
- What behaviors do I use to demonstrate that?
- What more can I do?
How do you increase your (and others’) self-awareness?
Leila Ljungberg