Just hearing the word “leader” brings to mind certain attributes. As Prime Women, we lead with dedication, influence, expertise, and confidence. There’s another important Brand Attribute not to miss—a big dose of self-awareness, or in other terms, Emotional Intelligence. There are tons of books written on the subject and assessments to check yours. So what IS it? And how do you know if you have it? By definition self-awareness is “the conscious knowledge of one’s own character, feelings, motives, and desires.” Emotional Intelligence is Intelligence regarding the emotions, especially in the ability to monitor one’s own or others’ emotions. That sounds easy enough to understand. Yet, in coaching women leading in their non-profit undertakings, in their roles on board positions, and everyday management activities, it’s amazing how often I see women “lose it” in the heat of stressful situations just because we let our emotions overrule our thoughtful actions. So ask yourself:
Self-awareness is an important trait that intentionally moves a good leader to an outstanding leader by keeping your strong brand presence in check. Rate yourself to determine if you’ve “got it.”
It’s ok if you’re not having the best day. But, without harnessing your emotions, you could dis what is otherwise a strong presence. People are watching you and your demeanor is contagious.
To learn more read:
7 Signs That You Are Not As Self-Aware As You Think
How Do You Know If You’re Self-Aware?