Self-Awareness and Self-Reflection in Leadership

By Charmaine Grant  – Head of Relationship Management (QLD & NT),

Institute of Managers and Leaders

Do you often self-reflect and look back on where you are at and how far you have come?

Do you embrace what you do and how much you have achieved?

Do you practice Self-Awareness?

Do you ever say to yourself ‘I’m proud of you!’

If you are not, it’s time you started!

Stepping out of your comfort zone, being up front and centre with yourself will lead you to being empowered and empowering those around you.

I truly do believe that the only person holding you back is yourself!

Why do we do that, why do amazing strong women ‘hold back’, when we have the capabilities to own it, shine under the spotlight, lead, empower and achieve our goals and dreams.

Is it that feeling of being overwhelmed or is it a lack of confidence, what can we do to release the anxiety we often feel and release that stigma of ‘holding back’.

A great place to start is to look at our own personal development, as women in leadership we need to be engaged by challenging and growing our skills. Being aware of our own behaviour can be difficult as we can feel judged but by understanding the impact our behaviours can have on others is a challenge all individuals need to face, reflect on and move forward from.

While each of us really do believe that we are able to understand ourselves, it can take honest outside feedback to truly allow us to see what we are doing well and what needs improving for our own growth and the growth of the organisations we align too.

At the Institute, the IML 360 Degree Feedback tool is available to assist you to grow and nurture your leadership development. By identifying our strengths and weaknesses, measuring our capabilities and the impact of our behaviours in the workplace will guide us to improve areas in our personal and professional development.

The tool is based on the IML Management Competency Framework which underpins the Chartered Manager Designation – Manage Self, Manage and Lead Others and Manage and Lead the Business.

The process provides you with the confidence and peace of mind that comes from using the gold standard- setting professional body for management and leadership competence and excellence across Australia and New Zealand who will gather the information and report it back to you with confidence.

All you need to do is simply provide IML with a list of participants – your leaders, peers, direct reports and other observers you choose to take the survey, including their email addresses and the team will do the rest.

IML will administer the survey questionnaires, invite the participants to complete the survey, monitor the progress, send reminders when necessary and generate the report.

The team will take you through the report, assisting you in evaluating your results, identifying your skills and any competency gaps more efficiently which will assist you in developing the areas you need to work on.

As a leader and team member, I know that I have grown so much from the experience, I’ve identified development programs that I can access for the next steps in my leadership journey.

There is nothing holding me back, I’m empowered! I’m reaching for the stars!

Charmaine Grant

Head of Relationship Management – Queensland & Northern Territory
Institute of Managers and Leaders

Charmaine has the opportunity each day to empower and inspire her team, members and communities to be better managers and leaders.

After many years of travelling the world and settling in Sydney working in Events and Communications, Charmaine relocated to the Sunshine State to be closer to her family 4 years ago and it was the best thing she has ever done.