Leading from the Inside Out: Daily Habits to Elevate Self-Awareness and EQ
Outstanding leaders do not simply manage tasks—they shape culture and inspire growth. This level of influence requires more than technical expertise; it demands exceptional emotional intelligence (EQ), and the gateway to EQ is self-awareness.
Why Self-Awareness Matters
Boyatzis’ research on resonant leadership shows that self-aware leaders are better at managing their own emotions, cultivating empathy, and building high-trust relationships—capabilities linked to higher engagement and sustained performance (Boyatzis, 2018).
Kouzes & Posner remind us that leadership begins with values. Their practice of Model the Way requires leaders to clarify their own guiding principles and act consistently with them. Authentic leadership is impossible without this internal clarity.
Five Habits to Strengthen Self-Awareness
Morning Intentions. Start each day by setting an emotional tone—calm, curious, or energizing—to guide your leadership presence.
Feedback Partnerships. Establish a “personal board of directors”—trusted colleagues who will share unvarnished feedback to enhance external self-awareness.
Mindful Check-ins. Pause between meetings to notice your emotional state and how it may influence others.
Value Alignment Audit. Quarterly, review how your actions reflect your top values, a direct application of Kouzes & Posner’s “Model the Way.”
End-of-Day Reflection. Journal key insights, focusing on “what” you learned, not “why” something happened—an evidence-based technique from Eurich’s research.
The Leadership Dividend
By strengthening self-awareness, you fuel every other dimension of EQ—self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. You also amplify the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership: modeling the way, inspiring vision, challenging the process, enabling others, and encouraging the heart. The result is leadership that is not only effective but transformational.
Learn More:
Contact Dr. Patti (DrPattiTampaCoaching@gmail.com) to discuss how leadership coaching focuses on self-awareness and high-impact actions.
Boyatzis, R. E. (2018). The competent manager: A model for effective performance. Wiley.
Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2017). The Leadership Challenge (6th ed.). Wiley.