The Power of Self-Awareness in Leadership: Why It’s Only Half the Picture

Self-awareness is increasingly becoming more talked about as one of the most important attributes of effective leaders. Leaders who understand their own behaviours, and have insight into their strengths and blindspots, tend to make better and more informed decisions, foster better levels of trust with their team, create more authentic connections, and work more effectively in line with their own zones of genius. That being said, self-awareness, while critical, is only half of the leadership equation. To truly excel as a leader, and create a high performing team, understanding yourself is important, but understanding others - specifically your team and what drives team behaviour - is even more important.

The Double-Edged Sword of Self-Awareness

Let’s first acknowledge the undeniable value of self-awareness. Leaders who invest time in learning about their own leadership style, biases, and triggers are better equipped to manage their own behaviours which come into play during stress, how they make informed decisions, and the level of emotional intelligence they have. When leaders understand their own behaviours, where these are strengths and unique abilities in their leadership style, and where they have blindspots, their leadership effectiveness naturally grows. 

Due to these benefits, tools that enhance self-awareness, such as behavioural profiling like Perform’s Leadership DNA profile, are increasingly used in leadership development activities. This shift has undoubtedly increased the impact of such activities and programs, and leaders better understand their style; however, it needs to be acknowledged that this is only half of the picture. No matter how well you know yourself, leading a team requires insight into the other half of the picture - your team’s behaviours, motivations, and how those dynamics impact how the whole team works together. 

The Missing Piece: Understanding Your Team’s Behaviours

Different motivations drive people; as a leader, recognising these variations can transform how you approach team management. Just as no two leaders are the same, no two team members are alike. Their behaviours, decision-making styles, and responses to challenges are shaped by different drivers - conscious, some subconscious, namely their behavioural patterns. These include factors like how they like to receive information, their need for certainty or variety; their most productive working style, or their approach to collaboration and autonomy.

Without understanding these nuances, even the most self-aware leader can struggle to create a high-performing team. A leader may be excellent at setting clear goals, but if they fail to recognise what motivates their team members, productivity and morale will suffer. 

This is where team behavioural insight comes into play. Important as this is, it is still lacking in many leadership development activities that focus mainly on the leader and theoretical leadership situations. This is where the Perform Team Management Profile comes in: to teach leaders the exact behaviours of each and every team member and how they collectively work together to impact team dynamics. 

Leaders who take the time to learn about themselves and their team’s behavioural drivers can tailor their leadership strategies to align with individual motivations and strengths, directly driving up performance in the way that each team member needs it. 

Introducing the Perform Scholarship: A Pathway to Holistic Leadership

At Perform, because empowering and equipping leaders with the tools they need to build high performing teams is so ingrained in our culture, we wanted to expand this opportunity to as many leaders as we possibly can. That’s why we’re so excited to offer our scholarship program, where we will select 10 leaders to receive a free 6-month Essentials+ subscription to our Perform leadership platform.

Here’s what you’ll receive as part of the scholarship:

• A Leadership DNA Profile outlining your behavioural strengths and leadership blind spots, providing a clear understanding of your leadership style.
• A Team Profile for up to 10 Team Members that details the behavioural drivers of your team across 18 core areas, helping you understand the collective strengths and areas for improvement.
• Access to a Full Leadership Program that will guide you through proven strategies for improving team performance and leadership effectiveness.
• A Behavioural Performance Module for Your Team Members, ensuring that the entire team is aligned and equipped to perform at their best.
• Six Monthly Group Leadership Coaching Calls with leaders from high-performing businesses, offering peer learning and shared insights.
• 24/7 Access to Leadership Coaching, where experienced coaches will be available to help you navigate any leadership challenges as they arise.
• Access to a Suite of Online Learning and Management Resources, including performance matrices, recruitment tools, communication and coaching templates, and more—designed to help you implement key strategies into your business.
• A Community of Growth-Focused Leaders, providing networking opportunities, shared experiences, and peer support.

With Perform’s tools, you’ll learn how to go beyond just understanding your own behaviours and preferences. You’ll gain access to actionable insights into the diverse behaviors that influence your team’s productivity, collaboration, and innovation. This kind of knowledge empowers leaders to make decisions that aren’t just reflective of their own preferences but are aligned with what their team truly needs to thrive.

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Why This Scholarship Matters for You and Your Team

By joining the Perform Scholarship, you’ll not only become a more self-aware leader but also gain a deep understanding of your team’s unique behavioural drivers. This combination of insight will enable you to:

• Delegate tasks that align with each team member’s strengths
• Foster a culture of trust and engagement by tapping into individual intrinsic motivations
• Anticipate and navigate challenges based on different working styles
• Elevate communication by tailoring your approach to each individual
• Drive productivity by tapping into the right drivers for each individual 

The tools and strategies you’ll learn through the Perform Platform will help you transform your leadership approach, leading to a more engaged, motivated, and high-performing team.

Final Thoughts: Leadership Is About Understanding Both Sides of the Equation

Leadership is not a solo act; it’s about orchestrating a team together for peak performance. While self-awareness provides a strong foundation, understanding what drives team behaviour is just as important. The Perform Platform is your toolkit for mastering both.

If you’re ready to take your leadership to the next level, apply for the Perform Scholarship for the opportunity to be one of the 10 leaders to receive 6 months of free access to Essentials+. Empower yourself, empower your team, and drive the kind of performance that sets your leadership apart.

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