Page 268 - kf fyi for your improvement license eng 3-4-15

• Spends too much time on reflection before acting.
• Sways too much based on feedback.

• Unable to learn from mistakes.
• Doesn’t take the time to reflect on experience.
• Too modest.
• Too self-critical.

Brain booster
Your brain has an observer that sits above all the activity and notices, monitors, and directs your thinking.
Sometimes the observer is in narrative mode and is processing memories, making plans, and interpreting
information. Sometimes the observer is in sensation mode and is focusing on all of the information
coming in to your senses in real time—including feelings, thoughts, and internal states. Being mindful and
self-aware involves activating this observer, knowing whether you are in narrative or sensation mode, and
consciously being able to shift between the two. Practice focusing your attention on one of your five
senses. Observe the thoughts and interpretations that cross your mind. Practice noticing without judging.
All of these exercises can help restructure your brain to make it easier to be aware of what you are
feeling, experiencing, and thinking. And, once you are aware, you have more control to decide what you
will do, how you will interpret something, and how you will respond. 44, 45

Tips to develop Demonstrates self-awareness
1. Not sure how others see you? Get feedback. People can be reluctant to give feedback, especially
negative or corrective information. Generally, to get it, you must ask for it. Seeking negative feedback
increases both the accuracy of our understanding and people’s evaluation of our overall
effectiveness. A person who wants to know the bad must be pretty good. People will increase their
estimation of you as you seek out and accept more feedback. If people are reluctant to give criticism,
help by making self-appraisal statements rather than asking questions. Saying, “I think I focus too
much on operations and miss some of the larger strategic connections; what do you think?” is easier
for most people to reply to than a question which asks them to volunteer this point.

2. Want to get the real story? Keep it confidential and balanced. Confidential feedback, a private
discussion, or a private 360 feedback tool tends to be more accurate than public feedback. Don’t
assume everything is OK just because you aren’t getting feedback. For most of us, when people give
us feedback in public, it’s an excessively positive view. Don’t get too comfortable with what people tell
you in public settings. Use private feedback as a means to understand how others see you and to get
the most accurate information. Try not to stack the deck, asking for feedback only from people you
get along with or like most. The best way to get good feedback data is to choose wisely. Choose
people who are in the best position to observe your skills and capabilities, friendship or warm feelings
aside.

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