On the Self-Awareness Superhighway, April '24
Reflections Newsletter: Looking Back to Go Forward
👋🏼 Welcome
Hello KSKOers and welcome to new subscribers!
My book THE SELF-AWARENESS SUPERHIGHWAY has been out in the world for a whole month already! I’m getting really positive feedback and responses from people dotted all over the world. Check out the links below to get your own copy. This month I was a guest on The Visible Leader Podcast with the brilliant Corine Hines. I loved our conversation. Check it out here
Here’s what’s in this month’s issue…
📒 News and Updates: THE SELF-AWARENESS SUPERHIGHWAY
🎙️ Reflections on ‘The Knowing Self Knowing Others Podcast’ - April ‘24
💡 Top Tips to Build your Self-Awareness
📖 Shallow Hit or Deep Satisfaction: My Reflections on ‘Deep Work’ by Cal Newport
👥 The Watercooler Event 2024
🔭 Forward view to May ‘24
📒 News and Updates: THE SELF-AWARENESS SUPERHIGHWAY!
Find out what THE SELF-AWARENESS SUPERHIGHWAY is all about in my podcast takeover HERE
Get hold of your very own copy of THE SELF-AWARENESS SUPERHIGHWAY: CHARTING YOUR LEADERSHIP JOURNEY in your preferred format and place….
Amazon: eBook, Hardback and Paperback editions HERE
Waterstones: Paperback edition HERE
Barnes & Noble: Paperback edition HERE
Amazon: Reflections Journal HERE
Please share a photograph of your copy so that we can see just how far around the globe our discussion about self-aware leadership is reaching! Check out these pictures from….. Scotland, Romania, South Africa, Newcastle & West Wales!
🎙️ Reflections on ‘The Knowing Self Knowing Others Podcast’ - April
In April I was joined by brilliant guests who shared their wisdom and experiences with everyone around the globe….
In episode 57, I talked to Jacqueline Wales. We discussed her life experience, from traumatic childhood and addiction to becoming an incredibly successful mentor with a fascinating TEDx talk. Read my Top Takeaways Review of the episode here.
In episode 58, I spoke to Gwen Stirling Wilking about about self-awareness, relational dynamics, virtual work and shifting mindsets. Gwen also talked to me about her OmniWorking Framework. Here’s the review of our conversation.
Dr Grant Val Ulbrich joined me in episode 59. We talked about Grant’s ‘Scared So What’ personal change model, reflection, leadership and the future demands of the world of work. My Top Takeaways review is here
Saieed Sadeghzade joined me for the 60th episode. We talked about work-life harmony, how to prevent burnout, self-reflection, and burnout recovery. Access my Top Takeaways review here
At the end of the month, Susanne Mus joined me in episode 61. We discussed the importance of self-awareness in workplaces and technology-aided self-awareness training - which is where Susanne’s expertise lies. Your can find my Top Takeaways here
Call for Top Podcast Guests
I’m looking for guests who can talk the talk following direct experience of walking the walk! If you are a CEO or senior leader in your organisation, please get in touch. I'm interested in hearing more from leaders who are on their self-awareness journey and can join me to talk about the twists, turns, lightbulbs and learning they're experiencing on the way. Drop me a line at info@knowinselfknowingothers.co.uk
💡 Top Tips to Build your Self-Awareness
Let’s consider self-awareness through the lens of trust, which is the fifth direction of my self-awareness compass. Here are 5 top tips on how to develop your self-awareness practice with trust in mind:
Know Yourself Inside Out: Take the time to deeply understand your values, beliefs, and behaviors. Self-aware leaders who are in touch with their own moral compass are better equipped to act authentically and transparently. When you model authenticity if fosters trust in your team.
Manage Your Emotions: Emotionally intelligent leaders who can understand and regulate their emotions effectively are more likely to inspire trust. Displaying self-control, especially in times of crisis, demonstrates resilience and stability, which are qualities that enhance trust and respect.
Be Vulnerable and Humble: Embrace vulnerability and humility as strengths rather than weaknesses. Leaders who are open about their limitations and mistakes are perceived as genuine and trustworthy. Acknowledging your shortcomings fosters an environment of honesty and learning, which builds trust over time.
Keep Commitments: Consistently delivering on commitments and promises is crucial for building and maintaining trust. When you say you'll do something, follow through on it. Reliability and integrity in fulfilling commitments reinforce your reputation as a trustworthy leader who can be counted on. Do what you say you’ll do. Always.
Promote Psychological Safety: Foster an environment where team members feel safe to voice their opinions, express concerns, and give feedback without fear of reprisal. Trust flourishes in an atmosphere of psychological safety, where people can be authentic and transparent without judgment or consequences.
By incorporating these tips into your leadership approach, you can cultivate self-awareness while nurturing a culture of trust within your team and organisation.
👥 The Watercooler Event 2024
This year’s Watercooler Event was another great opportunity to network and find out about innovations in the workplace wellbeing space. The event is a huge exhibition with stalls from companies about all things related to workplace wellbeing, from massage to pensions to menopause. There are also a large number of talks going on throughout the 2 day event for you to join. This year the highlight of the event was meeting up with Fennande and Maartje from Woohoo Inc and talking about happiness in the workplace. I loved being able to do a book swap with Fennende - my first swapsie! I also joined Workplace Geeks for a chat on their podcast. They’ll be compiling all of their chats into an episode for release later in the year, so watch this space.
🔭 Forward view to May ‘24
In May, I’ll be joined on The Knowing Self Knowing Others Podcast by Radhika Nair, Richard Clarke, Monica Haughey and Lisa Nordquist talking about civility, respect, happiness and wellbeing in the workplace and how self-aware leadership is a foundational element of effectiveness. I’ll be guesting on the Future of Work Meetup on 29th May. These webinars are TOTALLY FREE, so sign up to join here. In May, here in the UK we have 2 public holidays: on the first and last Mondays of the month. It’s also my husband’s birthday! Let’s hope it’s a sunny one!
🔎 Some other articles you might like to read
The Kiva Method to Inclusive Decision-Making by
Ouch! The downstream impact of not speaking up by
11 ways to get better feedback from your manager by
Looking forward to having you on my learning journey!
Nia is an expert leader who talks the talk and walks the walk. She is an academically awarded thought leader in self-aware leadership and practices self-aware leadership every single day in her role as a Director in a Children’s Charity.
Thanks so much for the call out! The ability to effectively speak up for ourselves is so deeply connected to self awareness 🙏🏻