Why Self-Awareness Is the Superpower Every Leader Needs
Success doesn’t just belong to the smartest person in the room. In today’s fast-moving world, true success belongs to the most self-aware.
Self-awareness is more than just a buzzword. It’s a foundational skill that sets the stage for authentic leadership, meaningful connections, and exponential growth. When we truly understand what drives us, how we react under pressure, and how others experience us, we’re able to lead with clarity, empathy, and purpose.
Here’s the catch: research tells us most people think they’re self-aware and they’re not. Luckily, we can change that.
What Is Self-Awareness?
“Self-awareness is the ability to recognize and understand your moods, emotions, and drives, as well as their effect on others.”
— Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. New York: Bantam Books.
With this definition, self-awareness includes two key elements:
Internal self-awareness: How well one understands their own thoughts, beliefs, values, passions, behaviors.
External self-awareness: How well one understands the impact of their behaviors, how they are perceived by others, ability to influence others.
Internal and external self-awareness can help us thrive as people and has been found to be especially critical for leaders.
Facts About Self-Awareness + Leadership
Fact: Leaders with high self-awareness are better at understanding their strengths and limitations, which enhances their ability to lead authentically and adaptively.
Goleman, D. (1998). What Makes a Leader? Harvard Business Review, 76(6), 93–102.
Fact: A large-scale analysis by Green Peak Partners and Cornell University found that self-awareness is a key predictor of executive success.
Green Peak Partners & Cornell University (2010). Better Leaders, Not Just Better Companies.
Fact: Leaders who are self-aware tend to foster psychologically safe environments where team members feel heard, valued, and empowered to contribute.
Ashkanasy, N. M., & Daus, C. S. (2005). Rumors of the death of emotional intelligence in organizational behavior are vastly exaggerated. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 26(4), 441–452.
Fact: The Center for Creative Leadership found that many executives who derail from leadership roles tend to lack insight into their own behavior and how they are perceived by others.
Van Velsor, E., Taylor, S., & Leslie, J. B. (1993). An examination of the relationships among self-perception accuracy, self-awareness, gender, and leader effectiveness. Human Resource Management, 32(2-3), 203–216.
Fact: Leaders with higher self-awareness are less likely to fall victim to confirmation bias, groupthink, or overconfidence in their decisions.
Eurich, T. (2018). Insight: The Surprising Truth About How Others See Us, How We See Ourselves, and Why the Answers Matter More Than We Think. Crown Business.
Signs You May Want to Build Your Self-Awareness Superpower
Even high-achieving leaders can struggle with self-awareness without realizing it. Here are a few things to watch out for:
You often feel misunderstood or defensive in feedback conversations.
You notice recurring conflicts in your professional or personal life.
You can’t quite explain why certain situations trigger strong emotional reactions.
Your team feels disengaged, but you’re not sure why.
You’re achieving results but feel disconnected from your purpose.
If this is your experience, you’re not alone. The good news is self-awareness is a skill that can be developed!
The Neuroscience Behind Self-Awareness
Our brain is comprised of a series of networks and connections. When it comes to building self-awareness, self-awareness is supported by the Medial Prefrontal Cortex (Northoff, G., Heinzel, A., de Greck, M., Bermpohl, F., Dobrowolny, H., & Panksepp, J. (2006). Self-referential processing in our brain—a meta-analysis of imaging studies on the self. NeuroImage, 31(1), 440–457.). This part of our brain is responsible for reflective thought and processing self-relevant information. It activates when individuals think about themselves, their traits, and their mental states. Self-awareness is also supported by the The Posterial Cingulate Cortex which works closely with the Medial Prefrontal Cortex. It is associated with autobiographical memory, self-reflection, and internal awareness.
The brain has the incredible ability to build itself with intentional effort, a phenomenon referred to as Neuroplasticity. This means when we engage in skills such as mindfulness, journaling, and feedback-seeking, the more we build new neural pathways that strengthen our “self-awareness muscles”.
Research from Harvard Business Review shows that leaders who intentionally develop self-awareness are more confident and make better decisions. A study conducted by Dr. Tasha Eurich, a leading Organizational Psychologist, found that while 95% of people believe they're self-aware, only 10–15% actually are. That’s a massive gap… a huge opportunity.
How Performance Psychology Helps Build Self-Awareness
Performance Psychology can bridge the gap between potential and execution. At Elite Edge Consulting, we use evidence-based tools from neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and emotional intelligence to help leaders like you build deeper self-awareness and reach their peak potential.
Through one on one coaching, verified personality assessments, and research backed skills, we help leaders uncover blind spots, all for the goal of building upon your current level of self-awareness. Imagine making decisions with more confidence, communicating more effectively with your team, and feeling deeply connected to your purpose… that’s what self-awareness can unlock.
Let’s work together to unlock your self-awareness superpower!
