At its very core, leadership it's about understanding people, and it is best to start with yourself.  

Self-awareness is one of the most powerful tools a leader can cultivate. It keeps your ego in check, sharpens your emotional intelligence, and allows you to connect and lead with authenticity. But how should you lead when others around you lack it?

Self-awareness underpins leadership. A truly transformative leader must be on an ongoing journey of developing their self-awareness. It incorporates self-evaluation and reflection, a willingness to receive and act on feedback, mindfulness practices, and continuous learning. It also involves embracing vulnerability, recognising one’s strengths and areas for growth, and adapting to changing contexts.  

Self-awareness is a big buzzword in leadership - often touted as the cornerstone of personal growth, emotional intelligence, and effective leadership. But beyond buzzwords and self-help slogans, what does it actually mean to be self-aware? Because generally speaking, we don’t actually have a secure grasp of what this construct actually is.