The Importance of Self-Aware Leadership

by | May 19, 2025 | Leadership, Shared Leadership, Teamwork, Women in Leadership

Self-aware leader

When we’re asked what is the crux of what we do here at Leading Edge, our answer is supporting leaders to become more self-aware. Self-awareness is a fundamental trait for corporate leaders. It moulds a leader’s ability to navigate the uncertainty of the corporate landscape, make informed decisions, and foster a positive organisational culture. At its core, self-awareness is a blend of self-knowledge, self-regulation, and emotional intelligence. Through increased self-awareness, leaders are better equipped to contribute significantly to organisational success and sustainability

  1. Self-Knowledge:
    • Recognition of Strengths and Weaknesses: A candid assessment of one’s strengths and weaknesses enables leaders to leverage their competencies, address their shortcomings, and surround themselves with complementary talents.
    • Insight into Personal Values and Beliefs: Leaders with an understanding of their core values and beliefs are better positioned to align decisions with personal and organisational values.
  2. Self-Regulation:
    • Impulse Control: In the often highly stressful environment of corporate leadership, the ability to exercise restraint and exhibit composed decision-making is invaluable. Self-regulation curtails impulsivity, promoting thoughtful responses to challenges.
    • Adaptability: The pace of change within the corporate sector is unprecedented and demands a degree a willingness and ability to adapt. Leaders capable of self-regulation can modify their behaviour and strategies to align with evolving circumstances.
  3. Emotional Intelligence (EI):
    • Empathy and Understanding: EI cultivates a culture of empathy, facilitating an understanding of diverse perspectives, which is critical in a multicultural, multi-disciplinary corporate environment.
    • Interpersonal Effectiveness: Leaders with high EI can foster positive relationships, resolve conflicts and create a harmonious work environment conducive to collective achievement. 

In practical terms, self-awareness translates into many benefits in corporate leadership roles, including:

  • Enhanced Decision-Making: By understanding their biases and emotional responses, leaders can make more balanced and rational decisions.
  • Team Dynamics and Leadership: Self-aware leaders are better positioned to cultivate a positive team culture, foster open communication, and inspire trust among team members.
  • Ethical Leadership: With a clear understanding of personal and organisational values, leaders can embody ethical principles, setting a positive example for the entire organisation.

What do horses have to do with this, I hear you ask? Our equine enhanced leadership programs bring these concepts to life and allow leaders to experience at a visceral level how their leadership affects others. Horses see through the corporate persona to the real you – it is a humbling, highly impactful and unforgetable experience.