Self-Awareness — The Starting Point of Strong Leadership

In the fast-paced, emotionally charged environment of a Not for Profit organisation, self-awareness is a leader’s anchor. It’s the ability to understand your emotions, motivations, and reactions — and to recognise how these impact others. Without it, even the most capable leader can unintentionally create confusion or mistrust.

Self-aware leaders notice their emotional triggers and patterns. They can pause before reacting, ask better questions, and adapt their approach to the moment. This reflection leads to wiser decisions, deeper empathy, and more authentic relationships across staff, volunteers, and stakeholders.

Practical Tools to Build Self-Awareness

• 360° Feedback: Ask trusted colleagues for honest reflections on how you lead and communicate.

• Reflective Practice: Take 10 minutes at the end of each day to ask, What went well? What challenged me? How did I show up for others?

• Coaching or Mentorship: A supportive partner can help uncover blind spots and build new habits.

• Personality or Values Assessments: Explore tools like the Enneagram, StrengthsFinder, or VIA Character Strengths for insight.

Here are some reflection questions you may find helpful:

1. When was the last time I paused to consider how my emotions affected a team interaction?

2. What feedback have I received recently that surprised me — and what might it be teaching me?

3. Which situations bring out my best leadership — and which test my patience or confidence?

Self-awareness is not about perfection — it’s about presence. The more a leader understands themselves, the more effectively they can lead with empathy, confidence, and consistency.

What’s one insight you’ve gained from reflecting on your leadership style? Share your thoughts in the comments or tag us in your post — we’d love to hear from you.