Self-awareness. Self-awareness. Awareness of oneself? The topic of self-awareness has been studied by many psychologists and scientists for decades, but there is no universal definition. Generally, self-awareness includes the ability of an individual to recognize their thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and the effects of these on themselves and others. So, self-awareness means being aware of different aspects of oneself – the ability to introspect and understand one's values, motives, strengths, and weaknesses.
Self-aware people better understand how their thought processes, feelings, and reactions shape their relationships, decisions, and everyday life. Such individuals are capable of objectively observing themselves, managing emotions better, aligning behaviour with their values, and having a deeper understanding of how others perceive them. This creates space for personal growth, development, and greater effectiveness – both in private and professional life.
Two types of self-awareness
Organizational psychologist and scientist Tasha Eurich distinguishes two key types of self-awareness: internal and external.
Internal self-awareness (or private) refers to the ability of an individual to observe their internal state. But also, to clearly understand their values, thoughts, motives, reactions, and behaviour patterns. This type of self-awareness requires an introspective approach and curiosity towards one's feelings.
External self-awareness (or public) refers to how aware an individual is of how others perceive them. This type of self-awareness helps individuals behave following social norms.
Both types of self-awareness are important. If a person has only internal self-awareness, they risk excessive introspection without insight into their blind spots. If they rely solely on external self-awareness, there is a risk of becoming overly focused on pleasing others, neglecting what truly matters to them.
In research conducted by Tasha Eurich, it was shown that people with higher levels of self-awareness expressed greater job satisfaction and a sense of personal and social control.
Leaders with developed external self-awareness are often perceived as empathetic, inclusive, and more effective, and those whose self-perceptions align with how others see them are more likely to empower, recognize, and include their team members.
Why is self-awareness important?
Research shows that when people clearly see themselves, they become more self-confident and creative. They make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and communicate more effectively. Self-aware individuals are less likely to engage in unethical behaviour – they are less likely to lie, cheat, or steal. They are more reliable collaborators, more effective employees, and are more likely to advance in their careers.
At the leadership level, self-awareness is especially important. The first step to successful leadership is knowing how to understand and lead yourself. Self-aware leaders and managers lead teams with greater satisfaction, better collaboration, and higher profitability. Such leaders are not only focused on goals – they know how to achieve them through people, with empathy, authenticity, and clear communication.
In conclusion, self-awareness brings numerous benefits, including:
- building strong interpersonal relationships
- greater job satisfaction
- higher self-esteem and confidence
- higher levels of empathy
- making better and more informed decisions
- understanding diversity
- better understanding of bias
- better emotional self-regulation
- experiencing lower levels of stress
What is the self-awareness gap?
Although most people (95%) believe they are self-aware, research by Tasha Eurich's team showed that only 10–15% of respondents meet the criteria for true self-awareness. This discrepancy is called the self-awareness gap.
Self-awareness is often measured by various personality questionnaires and psychometric tools that are based solely on self-assessment – that is, the individual answers questions about their traits, behaviours, and preferences. The results of self-assessment tests usually only reflect the image a person already has of themselves. Because of the self-awareness gap, that image can be distorted – or in the best case, accurate but limited.
That is why, in addition to self-assessment, it is extremely important to include feedback from the environment – from colleagues, coworkers, and mentors – so that the individual gains a completer and more realistic picture of themselves.
5 ways to increase self-awareness
Since self-awareness is an important part of personal development, it is crucial to focus on activities that can support its growth. Below are five methods that can help increase self-awareness.
Actively seeking feedback from others.
The image a person has of themselves is often subjective, and what they fail to see – others often clearly notice. Tools that can help include 360 assessments, development assessment centres, and the Belbin team roles questionnaire.
Openly accepting criticism
Constructive criticism is not an attack but an opportunity for development. People who want to develop self-awareness learn to emotionally regulate their response to feedback, not take it personally, but rather see it as a tool for learning.
Asking reflective questions
One of the fastest ways to develop self-awareness is asking the right questions, such as "What did I do well today?" or "What could I do differently next time?" When these questions become part of the daily routine (e.g., at the end of the day), over time we become more attentive observers of our own thoughts and behaviours.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness involves developing resilience and focusing on the “here and now.” Regular mindfulness practice increases the ability for introspection, emotional regulation, and self-observation – key components of personal and social intelligence.
Reflecting on personal values
Values are an internal compass – they shape the decisions, priorities, and behaviours of an individual. If a person does not know what their core values are, it is difficult to even assess whether they are living in accordance with them.
Self-awareness is not just a buzzword, but a key skill that helps people understand their own thoughts, emotions, and behaviour, and how they affect themselves and others. Through developing self-awareness, people learn how to better manage their own emotions, make better decisions, and build stronger relationships. Self-awareness makes people more effective – both professionally and privately.
However, as individuals begin to reflect more deeply on themselves, their strengths and weaknesses, one familiar (and silent) companion often shows up: imposter syndrome. That inner voice whispers that we are not good enough, that we don’t deserve success, or that we will “be found out” – regardless of external evidence of competence.
Deeper introspection can help you recognize and understand that part of yourself that sometimes sabotages your confidence. It is important to learn how to deal with it.
If you want to take advantage of self-assessment tools and strengthen your self-awareness, contact us!
