Page 266 - kf fyi for your improvement license eng 3-4-15

Factor IV: Self
Cluster K: Being open
Competency 29: Demonstrates self-awareness
29. Demonstrates self-awareness

Using a combination of feedback and reflection to gain productive insight
into personal strengths and weaknesses.

Self-awareness, the ability to clearly assess your own capabilities, gives a foundation upon which to grow,
develop, and take on new challenges. Deploying yourself against life and work is greatly helped by really
knowing what you’re good at, average at, and bad at, what you’re untested in, and what you overdo or
overuse. It is not a new concept—it was Socrates who said “Know thyself.” The fact that over 2,000 years
later we’re still figuring out how to be more self-aware is an indication of how challenging it is for us to see
ourselves as we are. Self-aware people are able to connect the external perspective—how they are
perceived by others—with the internal—how they see themselves. And that can be uncomfortable. But
with great risk comes the potential for great reward—both for yourself personally and for your
organization. That is, if you take action. Just increasing your self-awareness is not enough. You must do
something with that knowledge, if it is to have an impact. Accepting that you have changes to make is
your choice—it’s up to no one but you. That means aligning your strengths and development areas with
what’s important for your career growth and deciding how to apply your increased self-awareness.
Knowing how it can make you more effective and doing something about it.

“The more you know yourself,
the more patience you have for what you see in others.”

Joan Erikson – Canadian psychologist

Demonstrates self-awareness is in the Self factor (IV) in the Korn Ferry Leadership Architect™.
It is part of Cluster K, Being open, along with Self-development (30). You may find it helpful to
also take a look at some of the tips included in that chapter to supplement your learning.

© Korn Ferry 2014-2015. All rights reserved. WWW.KORNFERRY.COM

266