A520.1.6.RB - Self-Awareness

          Many variables influence the self-awareness of an individual in a leadership position.  So far the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University MSLD program has allowed me to reflect on my personality, values, and thinking style and has made me more aware of myself as a leader, both in a personal and professional capacity.

What I have noticed is how I am more cognitive when I process information and address situations.  I am still skeptical of people’s opinion when I do not feel they have the same qualifications as I do. I still find myself not giving attention to everyone’s thoughts and opinions; even worse, I now use the newly gained knowledge to analyze some opinions more in-depth to discover flaws or untruths.  The new knowledge of self-awareness has taught me is to reflect upon myself and evaluate the motives of others.  The overall self-awareness of my strengths and weaknesses through self-evaluation has caused me to look at situations differently since beginning the program. Several of the courses have given me the insight to evaluate how I could contribute positively to my current organization through my decision making.

The "Five Core Aspects of Self-Awareness" will become a beneficial tool for personal evaluation and self-reflection.  Developing emotional intelligence (EQ) will improve my interactions and self-discipline.  I have never been a person who used emotion when it comes to making business or managerial decisions.  However, I have learned that with this skill, I can build stronger relationships in my work environment.  I do not think is will be an easy task for me to accomplish.  What I must keep in perspective is that there is a difference between learning the theory of emotional intelligence and being able to apply that new found knowledge to different aspect of my life.

·         Emotional Intelligence - I now take care to separate facts from emotion
·         Attitude towards Change - I now have an open attitude toward change
·         Cognitive Style - there has definitely been a change in the way I think, perceive, and recall information
·         Values - I will discuss late in this blog
·         Core Self-Evaluation - I discussed this earlier in this blog

 

The lessons learned in this program are very beneficial and if used correctly can enhance your career.  For me, this is an endeavor in-progress.  As many before me have mentioned, a lot of our actions and decision making processes are based on how we were raised.  For me my parents instilled values in me early in life, while the military played a key role earlier in my adult life.  I sometime question these values I have assimilated throughout my life; I now see the world in a different light.  I now find myself using pieces from here and there and establishing my own values, of which, I am now passing on to my kids. 

So-far, I will have to honestly state that the program has had a somewhat positive effect on my self-awareness. It has helped me improve in several areas of how I view leadership.  Self-awareness like many skills takes time to master.  One must first learn how to correctly define self-awareness as it fits in their life.  The one has to learn how to apply this new knowledge to enhance their career.  Hopefully, the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University MSLD program will enhance my learning even more as I continue through program.