If you work in the retail industry in a leadership position, naturally you’ll want to be the best leader you can be. Many executive employees become so focused on leading their teams and getting results that they forget to reflect on themselves and their own actions. Below we explore how executive coaching can improve your self-awareness and why this is important.
What is self-awareness?
At a basic level, self-awareness is understanding who we are and what elements make up our personality. Self-awareness can also involve understanding how we impact others and what cultural norms we abide by subconsciously. An individual must make a conscious effort to self-analyse and be self-aware as an individual’s sense of self can constantly grow and develop.
What are the benefits of being self-aware for an individual in a leadership position?
1. Enhanced emotional intelligence
If you are able to reflect on how your actions may impact others emotionally, you will be able to build stronger relationships with clients and subordinates. Being aware of your behaviour and how others react to it, will help you to understand how to best communicate with your employees and how to encourage them to do their best work.
2. Enriched decision-making skills
By having a greater understanding of yourself, you will be able to think more accurately about how others think and feel. This will allow you to make more accurate, beneficial retail business decisions and utilise your knowledge with more confidence.
3. Stronger self-belief
By considering how other people see you, such as your superiors, you will be able to make the necessary changes to your behaviour to advance in your career. For example, if after reflecting on yourself you determine you are being held back for a promotion because of your poor communication skills, you can work on this skill until your superiors are happy you are ready for the next step in your career.
How can I learn to be more self-aware?
Self-awareness, unfortunately, is not something that can be learned overnight. Becoming self-aware is an ongoing journey that requires an individual to constantly reflect both inwardly and outwardly to the people around them. Retail executive coaching can help you practice self-awareness and help you achieve sustainable personal growth. To learn more about self-awareness and retail executive coaching, the team at Anthony Gregg can help. It’s time to gain control of your own self-awareness and contact mentoring expert Tony Gregg today.