How accurately can you assess what you can and cannot do?
Do you know your capabilities, strengths, weaknesses and limitations?
Do you have a sense of humour about what you don’t know? Do you have realistic expectations of your performance when you give something new a first try?
Accurate self-assessment helps us size up challenges, and know when we need to ask for help. It helps us avoid second-guessing ourselves, and suffering with imposter syndrome. It also helps us learn from our experiences and stay open to feedback.
To really understand our skills and limitations requires us to:
- practice mindful awareness of ourselves and our actions
- self-reflect on our experiences
- seek out feedback from others.
Why is it useful?
When you can assess your strengths and limitations accurately, you can make the most of your capabilities to make better decisions and more effectively solve problems.
You’ll know when you need help, and won’t hesitate to get others with different strengths involved.
You’ll also know what you need to learn in order to perform. And you’ll actively put yourself in situations where you can add value.
All of this adds up to more competent, productive leadership — and a more powerful leadership presence.
