4 Models of Self-Discovery

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Self-awareness is a crucial component of personal growth and development, as it enables individuals to analyze their strengths, limitations, and values, as well as the manner in which these characteristics impact others.

Self-awareness is a necessary competency for effective organizational leadership. Self-aware leaders are better able to lead their employees with clarity, empathy, and honesty.

People who have a deep understanding of their personalities possess the following characteristics:

They are more assured and inventive.
They make superior choices, cultivate long-lasting relationships, and communicate more effectively.
They are less likely to deceive, misappropriate, and mislead.
These individuals are superior employees and have greater promotion opportunities.
They are more effective leaders with happier employees and more profitable businesses.

An in-depth study conducted between 2014 and 2018 based on the following criteria explored what self-awareness is, why it is necessary, and how it can be improved:

Analyses of 800 existing scientific studies and 10 separate investigations involving nearly 5,000 participants from diverse countries and industries.
In-depth interviews with 50 individuals who had significantly enhanced their self-awareness.
A survey of 100s of managers and their employees to investigate the relationship between self-awareness and leadership.
An outcome of the study was the formulation and validation of a 7-factor, multi-rater self-awareness assessment.

The study resulted in the identification of 4 Leadership archetypes through various combinations of 2 self-awareness dimensions—internal and external—each with a unique set of development opportunities.

Introspectors
Seekers
Pleasers
Aware

Each archetype has its own unique set of development opportunities. Let's delve a little deeper into some characteristics of the 4 archetypes.

Seekers

Seekers are oblivious of their identity, their core values, and how others perceive them. As a result, they may feel confined or dissatisfied with their performance and relationships.

Decision-making may be difficult for seekers, who may feel inundated by the abundance of available options. In addition, they may feel alienated from those who do not share their pursuit for meaning and purpose.

Seekers can develop both internal and external self-awareness by embracing the unknown and being receptive to new experiences and points of view.

Introspectors

They are aware of who they are, but they do not challenge their own perspectives or investigate their unperceived shortcomings by soliciting feedback from others. This can negatively impact their relationships and hinder their success.

Introspector self-awareness can be enhanced by a commitment to personal growth and development through introspection and reinforcement with feedback from external sources.

Pleasers

Their preoccupation with presenting a particular image of themselves to others causes them to neglect what is important to them. They are likely to make decisions that are detrimental to their own success and happiness as time passes.

Aware

They have a distinct comprehension of their identity and objectives, and they seek out and respect the perspectives of others. In such a condition, leaders begin to realize the full benefits of self-awareness.

Interested in learning more about 4 Archetypes of Self-awareness? You can download an editable PowerPoint presentation on 4 Archetypes of Self-awareness here on the Flevy documents marketplace.

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