What is self awareness at work?

Self awareness at work is your ability to notice your thoughts, emotions, behaviours and impact on others in a typical working day. It means understanding your values, strengths, triggers and blind spots so you can respond with intention instead of reacting on autopilot.

Why is self awareness important for women leaders?

Self awareness is crucial for women leaders because it supports confident decision making, clear communication and emotional resilience. When you understand how you come across, you can lead authentically, set boundaries, challenge bias and build trust, instead of over adapting or second guessing yourself.

How can I practice self awareness at work each day?

You can practice self awareness at work by building small daily habits. For example, pause for 30 seconds before or after key meetings, notice what you are feeling in your body, keep a short reflection journal, and regularly ask trusted colleagues for specific feedback on how you showed up in conversations or decisions.

How does self awareness improve workplace relationships?

Self awareness helps you see how your tone, body language and decisions affect other people. This makes it easier to apologise when needed, explain your thinking, listen well and adapt your communication style. As a result, conflict is easier to navigate, trust grows and collaboration tends to feel safer and more productive.

Can self awareness help with imposter syndrome and low confidence?

Yes. Self awareness helps you separate facts from unhelpful stories about yourself. When you track your real achievements, notice your strengths and understand where your self doubt comes from, it becomes easier to challenge imposter thoughts and make confident choices that are aligned with your values and goals.

How to Practice Self Awareness at Work: A Guide for Women Leaders

Women of our Time
3 days ago
4 min read

Silhouette of a person meditating under a tree with roots forming the words "Women of Our Time" in bold, artistic font. Peaceful mood.

The Power of Self-Awareness: The "Know Thyself" Mindset

We live in a fast-paced world where we are often focused on what's happening around us, but one of the most powerful tools for personal and professional growth is looking inward. The Self-Awareness mindset, often encapsulated by the ancient Greek maxim "Know Thyself," is about having a clear and objective understanding of your own character, feelings, motives, and desires.

Self-awareness is described in the AMOC leadership report as "the 21st century meta skill". Good leaders are emotionally intelligent and understand the impact they have both inside and outside their organisation.

The report defines self-awareness at work as: "Fully knowing who they are as people—their values, passions, goals, personality, strengths and weaknesses—and understanding how others perceive them". This provides a strong foundation for leaders to face challenges.

By reflecting on their experiences, the leaders in the report were able to adapt their own behaviors, challenge long-held beliefs, and admit they didn't have all the answers. In essence, self-aware leaders are happy to have their beliefs challenged and reflect on their actions

Why Self-Awareness Matters

While many of us believe we are self-aware, research by organisational psychologist Dr. Tasha Eurich reveals a surprising truth: only 10-15% of people are truly self-aware. The data shows that professionals with high self-awareness outperform their peers by up to 30%. It’s a foundational skill for building self-belief and courage because it helps you to:

Make Better Decisions

By understanding your own biases and beliefs, you can make more objective and strategic choices.

Build Stronger Relationships

Being aware of how your actions and communication style are perceived by others allows you to build stronger connections and navigate conflict more effectively. Teams with self-aware members have 50% fewer interpersonal conflicts and complete projects 25% faster.

Boost Emotional Intelligence

Self-awareness is the first step in emotional intelligence. When you can recognise and manage your own emotions, you are better equipped to understand and respond to the emotions of others.

The benefits are clear: self-aware people are more fulfilled, confident, and effective leaders.

How to Practice Self-Awareness at Work

Self-awareness isn't a fixed trait; it's a skill you can develop. Here's how to start practising it:

Seek Feedback

Actively ask for honest and constructive feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors. A "360-degree review" can help you identify blind spots and understand how others perceive you.

Reflect and Journal

Take time to reflect on your day. Instead of asking "why" something happened, ask "what" you can do differently next time. Journaling about your thoughts and feelings can help you spot patterns and triggers.

Mindfulness and Meditation

Practising mindfulness and meditation can help you become more attuned to your thoughts and feelings in the present moment, allowing you to observe them without judgment.

Self-awareness is the first step in taking personal leadership of career journey. It’s a matter of choice to commit to this continuous process of learning and growth.

What Next?

At Women of Our Time, we're here to help.

We offer a free 1-2-1 service, access to workshops, and other products designed to support you every step of the way with the IAG you need.
Check out the latest episode of ‘This Is Me’ podcast. Hear authentic stories and real conversations—click below to listen now!
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Self Awareness at Work FAQs

What does self awareness at work actually mean for women leaders?

Self awareness at work means clearly understanding your thoughts, emotions, strengths, blind spots and how your behaviour impacts others. For women leaders, it also includes noticing how gendered expectations might shape the way you show up, communicate or make decisions. When you build self awareness at work, you lead with more confidence, clarity and emotional intelligence.

Why is self awareness at work so important for my career progression?

Self awareness at work is one of the foundations of effective leadership and career growth. It helps you spot unhelpful patterns, receive feedback without becoming defensive, and make more aligned choices about roles, teams and opportunities. Employers increasingly look for emotionally intelligent leaders who understand themselves and their impact on others.

How can I start practising self awareness at work if I feel too busy?

You do not need long retreats to build self awareness at work. Start with two or three small habits, such as a two minute check in before meetings, a short reflection at the end of the day, or writing down one thing you did well and one thing you would do differently. Over time these micro pauses build a clearer picture of how you think, feel and lead.

What are some practical self awareness exercises I can use during my workday?

Simple exercises work best. Try a weekly “360 reflection” where you ask yourself how your actions may have looked from your manager’s, colleague’s and direct report’s perspective. Keep a short journal of emotional triggers at work and what was happening just before them. You can also pair a daily task, like your first coffee, with a quick check in on your energy, mood and focus.

How does self awareness at work help with difficult conversations and conflict?

When you are more self aware, you notice your own reactions sooner, which makes it easier to slow down instead of snapping, shutting down or people pleasing. You can name what you are feeling, stay curious about the other person’s perspective and choose a response that fits your values. This reduces misunderstandings and helps you handle conflict with more confidence and calm.

Can self awareness at work support my wellbeing and prevent burnout?

Yes. Self awareness at work helps you notice early signs of stress, overload or emotional fatigue before they become full burnout. When you understand your limits, triggers and needs, it becomes easier to set boundaries, ask for support and design healthier rhythms for your day. This protects both your mental health and your long term ability to lead.