{"id":3242,"date":"2021-04-23T10:41:09","date_gmt":"2021-04-23T10:41:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iese.edu\/standout\/?p=3242"},"modified":"2024-03-04T09:50:45","modified_gmt":"2024-03-04T09:50:45","slug":"successful-leadership-self-awareness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iese.edu\/standout\/successful-leadership-self-awareness\/","title":{"rendered":"Successful leadership requires self-awareness"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”bottom-to-top”]If we had to name the most critical quality in a leader, our first thoughts might be attributes like s<\/span>trategic foresight<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>b<\/span>usiness acumen<\/span>\u00a0or<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>t<\/span>echnical expertise<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>While<\/span>\u00a0it might come as a surprise<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>self-awareness \u2013 not the so-called \u201chard skills\u201d \u2013 is the number one predictor of leadership success<\/span><\/b>\u00a0according to<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>research<\/span><\/a>\u00a0by Cornell and Green Peak Partners<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Based on<\/span>\u00a0a longitudinal study<\/span>\u00a0of<\/span>\u00a072 top-tier\u00a0<\/span>business leaders<\/span>\u00a0in 31 global firm<\/span>s<\/span>, the\u00a0<\/span>study found<\/span>\u00a0a\u00a0<\/span>direct\u00a0<\/span><\/b>connection\u00a0<\/span><\/b>between\u00a0<\/span><\/b>strong interpersonal skills\u00a0<\/span><\/b>and superior<\/span><\/b>\u00a0financial\u00a0<\/span><\/b>results<\/span><\/b>. On the other\u00a0<\/span>hand<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>executives<\/span>\u00a0analyzed<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>with<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>harsh<\/span>\u00a0\u201cwinner take all\u201d<\/span>\u00a0styles\u00a0<\/span>ultimately\u00a0<\/span>diminish<\/span>ed<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>their firm\u2019s financial performance<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>lagged behind\u00a0<\/span>in\u00a0<\/span>every single performance dimension<\/span>. As the authors state,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>A key takeaway is that soft values drive hard results. […]\u00a0<\/span>The executives most likely to deliver good bottom<\/span>–<\/span>line results are actually\u00a0<\/span>self-aware leaders who are especially good at working with individuals and in teams<\/span><\/b>\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Discover the Guide to the main types of leaders, which one are you?<\/a><\/p>\n

Self-aware leaders are better\u00a0<\/span><\/b>prepared<\/span><\/b>\u00a0to lead others<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The<\/span>\u00a0journey\u00a0<\/span>to better self-awareness\u00a0<\/span>can take numerous pathways,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>but\u00a0<\/span>it always starts with a process of introspection\u00a0<\/span>says\u00a0<\/span>Prof. Alberto Ribera of IESE\u2019s Managing People in Organization. \u201c<\/span>We could summarize\u00a0<\/span>the most important\u00a0<\/span><\/b>leadership as\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u2018know thyself.\u2019<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>Executives<\/span>\u00a0who are self-aware are able to lead others precisely because they have done the work of reflecting\u00a0<\/span>on\u00a0<\/span>their\u00a0<\/span>unique strengths and weaknesses,\u00a0<\/span>as well as their\u00a0<\/span>aspirations<\/span>\u00a0in both the short and long term.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To this end,\u00a0<\/span>Prof. Ribera\u00a0<\/span>underlines the benefits of<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>self-assessment evaluations to\u00a0<\/span><\/b>boost<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>our self-understanding<\/span><\/b>. These<\/span>\u00a0includ<\/span>e<\/span>\u00a0personality assessments like the revised Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI-R),<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>exercises to evaluate cognitive styles and preferences<\/span>, and<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>360-degree evaluation<\/span>, which as its name implies,\u00a0<\/span>collects<\/span>\u00a0feedback from subordinates, colleagues and supervisors.<\/span>\u00a0\u201cWhen done properly and received with humility and a willingness to grow,\u00a0<\/span>360-degree evaluations\u00a0<\/span><\/b>can be extremely useful source of insight<\/span><\/b>\u00a0to spark<\/span>\u00a0personal and professional growth,\u201d notes Prof. Ribera.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Good leaders cultivate the growth of their teams\u00a0 <\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

While leadership starts with a deep sense of self-awareness<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>its ultimate<\/span>\u00a0success is\u00a0<\/span>defined by<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the<\/span>\u00a0ability to guide, mobilize and motivate others. These are all qualities that can be developed, says Prof. Ribera. \u201cWithout a doubt, some people possess intrinsic personality traits that can facilitate the path to leadership, but\u00a0<\/span>by and large, leaders are made, not born<\/span><\/b>,\u201d he explains. \u201c<\/span>Good leaders are\u00a0<\/span>adept at cultivating a climate of trust\u00a0<\/span>and strongly committed to\u00a0<\/span>the personal and professional growth of their teams<\/span>,\u201d explains Prof. Ribera.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>If you would like to enhance your self-awareness and\u00a0<\/span>grow as a leader,\u00a0<\/span>learn more about\u00a0<\/span>IESE\u2019s<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Developing Leadership Competencies (DLC)<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>program.\u00a0<\/span>Delivered in a blended format, it will equip you with key\u00a0<\/span>insights to\u00a0<\/span>amplify<\/span>\u00a0your leadership potential and\u00a0<\/span>corporate impact.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text]

<\/div>