4 Steps to Become More Self Aware

by Judy Rathwell | Dec 10, 2024 | Adaptability, Decision-making, Feelings, Recognition

4 steps to become more self aware

Self-awareness has been linked to increased creativity and confidence, better decision-making and communication, and improved self-control.

Additionally, a 2022 study determined that self-awareness protected the working memory against the adverse effects of chronic stress. And research from 2015 showed the trait was of particular benefit in the workplace, finding that self-awareness was positively associated with job-related well-being and could be improved through training.

Being in tune with yourself is especially important when it comes to your relationships with others. “By being self-aware, we may actually leave people feeling more comfortable, leading to a far more prosocial and healthier social environment,” clinical psychologist Ramani Durvasula told The Washington Post. “I actually think that self-awareness would change the world overnight if everyone could practice it.”

Big words. So how do you practice it?

1. Ask the Right Questions

The distinction between being self-aware and being introspective is important to know. Though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they aren’t one in the same. Introspection is the examination of one’s own thoughts and feelings — and when done ineffectively can actually be detrimental.

In Eurich’s research, she was surprised to find that people who introspected were less happy, more stressed, more depressed, more anxious, less in control of their lives, and less happy in their work.

But understanding yourself does require looking inward and asking questions. To do so in an effective manner, focus on asking “what” instead of “why.”

“The more we ask why, the more we ruminate,” Eurich explained at a National Institutes of Health seminar in 2019. “Instead of asking, ‘Why am I stressed?’ ask, ‘What alterable patterns can I find in my stress?’ Instead of asking, ‘Why am I unhappy?’ perhaps ask, ‘What upsetting situations can I avoid?’”

She continued: “‘Why’ questions draw us to our limitations; ‘what’ questions help us see potential. ‘Why’ questions can depress us and make us emotional. ‘What’ questions help us to be more logical and action-oriented … and help us move forward.”

2. Try Taking Personality Assessments

Another way to start seeing yourself more clearly is through the help of personality assessments. Similar to asking yourself questions, tests like these can reveal information about who you are and why you do the things you do.

The iNLP Center offers 12 multiple choice questions that probe your level of self-awareness in 10 different areas and may inspire you to narrow in on opportunities for personal growth. Others you might consider are the Big Five personality test, 16 Personalities, and Project Implicit, which can help illuminate unconscious biases and associations.

These kinds of assessments are not meant to definitively tell you who you are, but to aid you in discovering that yourself.

3. Hold a “Dinner of Truth”

What better way to learn about yourself than to ask the people who know you best?

It may sound utterly terrifying to poll your loved ones on how you can self-improve, but if you can pull through the initial anxiety and discomfort — and resist the natural inclination to respond defensively to their commentary — you’ll be doing yourself a great service.

One way to do this is for those in your inner circle to provide general feedback about how you interact with them. Another (even more terrifying) method is referred to as a “Dinner of Truth.”

Recommended by Eurich, who borrows the concept from communications professor Josh Misner, a Dinner of Truth involves inviting someone with whom you’d like to improve your relationship to a meal, cocktail, or coffee, and asking them one specific question: “What do I do that is most annoying to you?”

“The first time I did this, my friend said, ‘I love you in person, but I hate you on social media,’” Eurich told PsychCentral. “It helped me to see things I hadn’t seen before, feel more empowered, and improve my relationship with this person. Any time we’re vulnerable with the people we love, we have a deeper connection.”

4. Reevaluate

Per psychologist Tchiki Davis, founder of The Berkeley Well-Being Institute, self-awareness isn’t a static trait. So remember to continue checking in with yourself periodically.

“Both ‘self’ and ‘awareness’ change over time,” Davis told Nice News. “In other words, what we believe to be the self or identity changes as we move through life. And, what our awareness focuses on changes as we move through life.”

“Thus, self-awareness is an ever-evolving process and can mean very different things to people at different stages of development.”

Source: Nice News

“We are not who we might have been or who we would like to be. We are exactly who we are.”
– Eric Maisel

Did you know this about disc?

DiSC is an assessment that aids with effective communication

DiSC Management

Management on Catalyst uses Everything DiSC to provide insights about an individual’s personal management style while also providing tips on how to improve the following management specific skillsets:

Directing & delegating
Creating a motivating environment
Developing talent
Managing up

Everything DiSC Management on Catalyst will guide managers with specific tips on how to perform these tasks with anyone on their team. The DiSC Management tips on Catalyst are unique because all of the information is personalized to the user. The insights provided are dynamically customized based on a user’s personality style.

Is Your Leadership Style a Motivator or Morale Destroyer?

by Judy Rathwell | Sep 24, 2024 | Communication, Decision-making, Feelings, Influence, Leadership Development, Setting Expectations

Is your leadership style a motivator or morale destroyer

There is no right or wrong leadership style. Every leader has their own unique voice and their own individual approach to people and projects. However, it is important to realize that different styles may work best at different times, and to achieve different purposes.

While being genuine is an essential part of leadership, you must learn to adapt your leadership style as the business environment, team members and goals change around you. Any leader, even a highly collaborative one, uses a range of different styles at different times – even, perhaps, in the course of a single day.

The different leadership styles fall into five basic categories:

1. Authoritative Leadership

Authoritative, or autocratic, leadership works best when a team needs strong direction. This type of leadership identifies the challenges ahead and focuses the team on a common goal, yet allows individuals to decide how their efforts will get the desired end result. Authoritative leadership doesn’t work if the team members are more expert than the leader because you can’t be authoritative on a subject where you lack deep knowledge and experience.

In an era marked by rapid change and uncertainty, authoritative leadership can be particularly effective in driving swift, decisive action when navigating crises or pivoting business strategies. However, with the increasing value placed on collaboration and innovation, leaders must balance authoritative decisions with opportunities for team input, ensuring that employees remain engaged and motivated despite top-down directives.

2. Coaching Leadership

This style of leadership is most effective when employees are receptive to change and learn. The coach does just what the name implies: Helps employees grow and learn. This leadership style focuses on long-term personal development as well as job-related skills. Coaching is least effective when an employee is defiant or if the leader lacks proficiency in what they’re trying to teach.

Coaching leadership is best applied when performance or results need improvement. When using this style, your goals should be to help others to advance their skills, build bench strength and provide a lot of guidance. This can be especially helpful when faced with challenges around reskilling and upskilling, like when a team needs to adapt to new technological advancements.

3. Coercive Leadership

Coercive leadership is also called transactional leadership and is the most directive of the leadership styles. Think of it as the “do what I tell you right now” style. Coercive leadership should be used sparingly because it stifles creativity and enthusiasm. However, this style works well if the building is on fire, a teammate is out of control, or the organization requires an immediate overhaul.

Coercive leadership is best applied during a crisis or during a period of significant change. A manager might also employ this style when a business unit is not operating profitably due to wasteful practices. However, as organizations increasingly prioritize innovation and employee engagement, over-reliance on coercive tactics can hinder creativity and morale. Leaders must know when to deploy this style to stabilize situations without stifling the organization’s culture.

4. Democratic Leadership

It’s easy to understand what democratic leaders do: They let their team have input in decisions and share their ideas. Democratic leadership works when the team needs to feel ownership in the plan or goal. Everyone is given a seat at the table, and discussion is relatively free-flowing. This leader will synthesize all the available information into the best possible decision. Since this style is time-consuming, it should be avoided if a deadline is imminent or employees don’t have the expertise or experience to offer helpful advice.

Democratic leadership is best applied when situations change frequently. This style offers a great deal of flexibility to adapt to better ways of doing things, but it can be somewhat time-consuming to make a decision in this structure. With the rise of remote and hybrid work environments, democratic leadership has gained prominence as it encourages team involvement and fosters a sense of ownership, even from a distance.

5. Pacesetting Leadership

Think of this style as lead-by-example leadership. Pacesetting leaders set high expectations and demand quick results. It works if the team is already motivated and skilled at their jobs. Used too much, pacesetting leaders risk burning out their team and depressing innovation. It also doesn’t work when training or coaching is needed.

Pacesetter leadership is best applied when a business or department needs quick results from a group that is already highly motivated and competent. There is no time to learn on the job or teach someone a skill with this leadership style. However, with the increasing awareness of the importance of mental health and employee well-being, leaders must be cautious not to push their teams too hard.

How to Choose a Leadership Style

To determine which leadership style fits a given situation, you must first know what your team needs for the task at hand. Analyze your team’s and your strengths and the needed results, then flex your leadership style to fit the end goal. For that reason, being conscious of both your own style as a leader and those of others you hire can be crucial to keeping your organization on the right track.

And, while it’s easy to say you should change your leadership style to fit different teams, employees and situations, it’s not that easy to do. Spend some time thinking about what you think your default style is, and consult a trusted colleague or mentor to ask if they agree.

Questions to ask yourself: How do I behave under stress? Do you find yourself asking others for opinions or do you tell everyone what to do? Which leadership style seems most comfortable to you?

From there, it will take more time to discover what best motivates your people in which circumstances.

Eventually, you will create your own leadership style, one that is authentic, balanced, adaptable, visionary and best leverages your employees so that you all achieve great things.

Source: Lisa Jasper, Insperity

“You don’t have to hold a position in order to be a leader.”
– Henry Ford

Did you know this about disc?

DiSC is an assessment that aids with effective communication

Group map

The main feature is the Group map. Similar to the group map and poster available through the Group Culture and Group Facilitator reports, the map shows everyone’s dot location and their icon from Catalyst. This tab also shows the group members and their priorities and this list can be filtered by primary DiSC style. The “more info” link will take you to the “Your colleagues” comparison page with that person.

Groups Video

10 Ways to Feel Happier, According to Science

by Judy Rathwell | Aug 27, 2024 | Feelings, Gratitude, Habits, Productivity, Stress Management

10 Ways to feel happier according to science

More than a feel-good state of mind, happiness is described as a “fundamental human goal.” It comes with myriad benefits, including improving our health and even helping us live longer. Happier people are also more likely to make decisions quickly and contribute to society by voting and volunteering.

And while happiness can be a loaded subject, with many contributing factors that often aren’t in our control, science shows that there are plenty of surprisingly straightforward things that can help us feel satisfied.

Of course, happiness is not something that happens overnight; it’s a process that’s consciously cultivated with intention and purpose. But if you’re looking to embark on that journey, consider starting with some of these 10 science-backed tips.

1. Set a Regular Exercise Routine

Prioritizing movement is a popular tip when it comes to increasing happiness — and with good reason. Exercise is shown to ease anxiety, increase life satisfaction, and boost serotonin levels, which helps combat negative feelings. Even lunchtime walks are shown to “improve enthusiasm, relaxation, and nervousness at work.” Still not convinced? This report about walkable cities found that when someone swaps long commutes for a walk, “their happiness increases as much as if they’d fallen in love.”

2. Prioritize Your Sleep

We’ve all likely experienced firsthand the intertwining relationship between sleep and happiness. According to Harvard Medical School, “poor or inadequate sleep can cause irritability and stress, while healthy sleep can enhance well-being.” Additionally, a 2018 study found that those who had quality sleep experienced greater life satisfaction.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a minimum of seven hours of sleep for adults and suggests a number of tips to sleep better, such as removing electronic devices from bedrooms and waking up and going to bed at the same time every day (even on weekends).

3. Embrace Family Routines

Family dinners, regular play outings, and reading time are all common components of family bonding, and studies show these routines have a lasting influence. A 2014 study found that family-centered routines are associated with higher social-emotional health in children, along with an increased sense of belonging and security. Another study showed routines help families build resilience, which is linked to happiness.

Whether you’re a kiddo or an adult, WebMD also notes that establishing regular weekly routines helps reduce stress, boost health, and better prioritize downtime and rest.

4. Build (and Maintain) Friendships

Friendships are powerful — in fact, some research shows they may be even more important than familial bonds as we get older. The author found that family and friend relationships were linked with better overall health and happiness. However, as people aged, the link only remained “for people who reported strong friendships,” Time reported.

How many friends do we need for maximum happiness levels? According to a CNBC interview with Eric Barker, author of Plays Well With Others, people with five or more close friends feel 60% happier than those without the same number. And individuals who view their manager as a “close friend” are more than twice as likely to enjoy their job.

5. Share Kindness

Kindness can change our brains, literally. The Mayo Clinic explains that kindness boosts our serotonin and dopamine, two neurotransmitters that allow us to feel satisfaction and pleasure. Other research has shown that when people fully engage in acts of kindness, the acts are linked to reducing anxiety and depression.

Eager to reap the rewards of kindness? You’re in luck because one study showed that even performing acts of kindness for just one week created a boost in happiness.

6. Practice Mindfulness Through Meditation

If you struggle with slowing down, a meditation practice is shown to be a deliberate way of cultivating more mindfulness, which is associated with a sense of purpose in life and higher happiness levels.

Psychology Today explains, “Monitoring your ongoing experience may make you feel happier by helping you slow down to appreciate things or to notice more of the happy things that are going on around you. You may begin to pay more attention to the trees and flowers, enjoy the feel of the sun on your skin, or bask in the warmth of your partner’s or child’s loving gaze.”

7. Know and Use Your Strengths

Instead of focusing on weaknesses (we’ve all got them), celebrate your strengths. By identifying your strengths and leveraging them, you can increase your self-awareness, improve your relationship with yourself, and boost your happiness, per Psychology Today.

While strengths can certainly include skills you’d put on a resume (language skills, specialties, etc.), they can also be your unique qualities, like love of learning, kindness, curiosity, and hope, to name a few.

8. Express Gratitude

Harvard Health puts it simply: “giving thanks can make you happier.” In the 2021 article, a study is cited that showed people who wrote a gratitude list were happier than those who wrote about daily irritations. Similarly, a group of participants who wrote a letter of gratitude to someone for their kindness showed immediate boosts in happiness, “with benefits lasting for a month.”

If you want to express more gratitude, consider writing a thank you note, keeping a gratitude journal, or starting a gratitude meditation practice.

9. Smile!

Sometimes the key to a brighter day is simpler than you may think: turning the corners of your mouth up and showing a smile. Science shows that you can actually trick your brain into feeling better by smiling. How? When we smile, dopamine and serotonin are released in the brain, which in turn can boost your mood. However, if the idea of forcing a smile isn’t your thing, consider putting on a TV show that makes you laugh, call someone who puts you in a good mood, or think about a joyful memory.

10. Set Achievable Goals for Yourself

Did you know that simply the act of setting goals can increase your happiness levels? It’s true, according to a study by the University of Basel in Switzerland that showed psychological well-being can improve when you have goals that seem attainable to you regardless of the outcome. Power of Positivity recommends starting out with smaller goals and building from there, as little steps can make big goals less intimidating and more actionable.

Source: Marika Price Spitulski

“We do not only need to work happy, we need to work at being happy.”
– Shawn Achor

Did you know this about disc?

DiSC is an assessment that aids with effective communication

Get Advice is available on your Catalyst profile:

From your Catalyst homepage, click on the Get Advice tile.
Select your topic: Connecting, Collaborating, Getting Buy-In, or Managing Tension.
Search for the colleague you want to understand better.
Review the personalized insights and tips.
Take action—and achieve your goals! Visit Catalyst today to explore this feature!

Below are some options the Get Advice feature includes:

Five Benefits Of Doing Nothing

by Judy Rathwell | Jun 19, 2024 | Feelings, Flexible Schedule, Stress Management

5 Benefits of doing nOthing

In the spirit of walking our talk we are taking a 5 day company holiday! July 1-5

In 1370 AD, the first public clock tower was erected in Cologne, Germany, and from that day forward, the clock has been running our lives.

And I know that when I read stats like these, they make me crazy:

According to Arwen Curry, before Edison invented the light bulb, the average person slept eleven hours a night.
A Senate subcommittee in 1967 was told that by 1985, the average American would work only twenty-two hours a week for twenty-seven weeks a year. (Technology and Social Trends, Kerby Anderson)
By 2007, the average American worked nearly four more weeks per year than in 1979. (“Vast Majority of Wage Earners are Working Harder,” Lawrence Mishel)

There’s no a complete solution to our overly time-conscious lives, but scheduling a day to DO NOTHING productive is a great starting point.

Yes, you read that right. Schedule a day to DO NOTHING productive. No work. No grocery shopping. No checking “have-to’s” off your list.

Many societies throughout history have baked this practice into a weekly rhythm called the Sabbath. Many of you remember a time when stores were closed on Sundays.

After all, DOING NOTHING has several benefits:

1. Relaxation: Doing nothing allows you to recharge your batteries.
2. Creativity: Doing nothing allows your mind to wander and can lead to increased problem-solving skills.
3. Increased productivity: Doing nothing can increase your productivity in the long run. It allows you to return to tasks with renewed energy and focus.
4. Improved decision-making: Doing nothing allows you to reflect on your choices and consider different options.
5. Improved relationships: Doing nothing can also allow you to connect with others and strengthen your connections, which research shows is THE key to long-term success.

Source: Brian Rutherford, leadercast

“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer”.
– William S. Burroughs

Did you know this about disc?

DiSC is an assessment that aids with effective communication

Level of activity

Top – tend to be fast-paced and are often described as assertive, dynamic, and bold.
- They tend to exert effort to change their circumstances.
Bottom – tend to be more moderate paced and are often described as calm, methodical, and careful.
- They are more inclined to adapt to existing circumstances.

Level of acceptance

Left – naturally more skeptical in nature and are often described as logic-focused, objective, and challenging.
- They instinctively withhold trust from people and ideas until those outside elements can be thoroughly vetted.
Right – naturally more receptive in nature and are often described as people-focused, empathizing, and agreeable.
- They are biased to see the people and ideas around them as favorable and are thus inclined to trust them.

Leading With Empathy – Without Ignoring Execution

by Judy Rathwell | Jun 4, 2024 | Adaptability, Feelings, Respectful Workplace

Leading with empathy without ignoring execution

Yes, you can have it all: empathy and performance.

Leaders’ minds often toggle between focusing on business needs and tending to employees. Yet, there’s more overlap between leading with empathy and executing on goals than many of us realize. Leaders really can do both without one being at the expense of the other.

The value of leading with empathy:

The benefits of leading with empathy outweigh any misconceptions as to why a leader shouldn’t show empathy.

Showing empathy engages others. Engagement and performance are highly correlated. When engagement is higher, performance also tends to be higher.

Furthermore, empathy is a relational skill. When relatedness is stronger, the bonds of a team are stronger. The team can face complex challenges successfully when team members:

Truly “see” each other
Understand who has the capacity to take on more responsibility
Accept mutual accountability for team performance

Showing empathy when leading employees can be transformative for your team.

How to prioritize both empathy and execution:

Conversations are the simple key to balancing both empathy and execution because they’re the place where compassion and action converge – a formula for success.

When leaders are reacting to mountains of challenges, and the pressure to perform is high, it’s easy to skip conversations with team members and attempt to drive results via email and directives distributed at meetings.

This tendency seems like a direct path to the desired outcomes, but it also eliminates nearly all opportunities to:

Connect with team members
Uncover the challenges they are experiencing
Offer empathy and compassion to help them through

Typically, when leaders are feeling stressed about deliverables, they double down on managing tasks and cancel one-on-one meetings with team members. But there’s a better choice. When the pressure is on, meaningful, efficient one-on-one meetings are pure gold. Leaders may think they don’t have time to connect, but the missed opportunity cost can be significant. Connect with the team.

At their best, these conversations happen with a team member – rather than to them. They’re collaborative conversations about collective goals that explore how the manager and employee can solve problems together. It’s time to confirm “we’ve got this.”

How do you find time to have conversations with each employee when your days are jammed with other meetings and tasks? The answer can be simple: optimization. Master shorter, more intentional one-on-one meetings. A three-minute conversation can often change everything for the better.

Here are some tips for having short conversations that show empathy and drive performance:

Be fully present in the conversation. “See” the other person.
Help your employee define what the next successful step is.
Clarify any resources that are needed to perform well.
Offer recognition and instill confidence in their ability to be successful.
It really comes down to listening! Maintain a judgment-free space for your team member to share their current state.

If you’re looking for questions to start off the conversation, try some of the following:

Ask open-ended questions to learn what employees are thinking and feeling:
- What are your plans?
- What are your obstacles?
- What is success for you?
- What does the situation look like from your point of view?

Consider additional questions like:
- How can we achieve “X” (a specific outcome) and help you navigate “Y” (the challenges of your workload, stress level, etc.)?
- What resource would be most useful for you now, to help you perform well during this sprint?
- What could you do today to recharge and prepare yourself for the challenges ahead this week?
- What is your biggest challenge right now that is having an impact on your ability to perform at your best?
- What elements of this challenge boost your energy? How can we configure the work to keep your energy level high through this next high-volume period?

When a leader invites open dialogue and seeks to understand a team member’s readiness to perform at their best, valuable information flows. Only then can you work together to co-create solutions that deliver results and address the team member’s needs. These are moments when trust can be fortified. Be ready to connect, listen and support.

Source: Insperity Staff, Insperity

“If you are asking how to create a more empathetic workplace, you’re already way ahead of everybody else”
– Daniel Lubetzky

Did you know this about disc?

DiSC is an assessment that aids with effective communication

What Is Everything DiSC Work of Leaders?

Everything DiSC^® Work of Leaders lays out a clear path for leaders at all levels to make the connection between their DiSC^® style and real-world leadership demands.

It brings together best practices from 300 experts in over 150 organizations, the important work of the most prominent scholars, and over four years of additional research and development to provide participants with an actionable path toward more effective leadership.

Work of Leaders video

How To Maximize Your Joy & Savor The Holidays

by Judy Rathwell | Dec 12, 2023 | Feelings, Gratitude

4 Ways to savor your joy and the holidays

Why Savoring Is Linked to Happiness?

Consciously savoring the good things in life is important because neuroscience research suggests that our brains have a negative bias. Negative things tend to stand out in our minds, while positive things tend to be easily dismissed or forgotten.

Considering this, it’s perhaps not surprising that savoring — or being good at taking in good things — is linked to increased well-being, happiness, life satisfaction, and decreased depression.

4 Ways to Savor Joy

Bask in happy moments.

Much like the practice of mindfulness, this type of savoring involves being present in the current moment and aware of sensory information. But unlike mindfulness, which emphasizes detached observation, in-the-moment savoring involves actively seeking out and soaking in positive emotions.

Try it out: Try selecting a few specific moments or events over the next week that you plan to savor.

Wear your joy on your sleeve.

Another way to elevate your positive experiences is through your non-verbal behaviors and expressions. We typically think of our physical reactions as simply the result of our emotions (for example, we smile because we feel happy).

However, science suggests the chain reaction goes both ways — smiling actually makes us feel happier while hunching our shoulders and crossing our arms can make us feel more upset.

Try it out: This holiday season, try intentionally laughing, smiling, hugging, exchanging high fives, jumping for joy, and doing the happy dance to amplify your happy moments.

Engage in positive mental time travel.

We all have the ability to “time travel” within our minds to a more positive moment — whether it’s sometime in the past or in our anticipated future. Studies show that vividly reminiscing over positive experiences and eagerly anticipating future joyful occasions can boost your happiness levels, both in the moment and over time.

Try it out: Think about a time when you felt so happy, you thought you would burst. Remember how you felt in that moment (Giddy? Grateful? Excited?). Replay the event in your mind as if you were reliving it.

Share your gratitude with others.

While the first 3 savoring strategies can be done solo, this last one requires connecting with other people. Research suggests that sharing positive events with others is a great way to further amplify and savor the good things in your life. This strategy works best when you share with someone you’re close to and when that someone is likely to mirror back your positive emotions.

This creates an upward spiral of positivity. In fact, some research suggests involving others in your savoring can not only increase the positive impact of events but can also boost your mental and physical resilience.

Try it out: Do some savoring with others this holiday season by taking the time to connect with people who are important to you.

Source: CCL

Everyone at Aha!Leadership wishes you and your family the most wonderful holiday season!

Did you know this about disc?

DiSC is an assessment that aids with effective communication

Conversation Starters

With Conversation Starters on Catalyst, teams have an easy and fun way to tackle common challenges that hinder performance and move to tangible change. By combining DiSC with simple discussion guides, teams can talk about personality-based differences and how they affect group performance.

You will:

Get to know each other faster
Communicate more clearly
Make better decisions together

Getting started is easy!

Visit the Your Groups feature on Catalyst
Create and save a group with people in your organization
Click into Conversation Starters and choose a topic

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