Ever wondered why some leaders seem to effortlessly command respect while others struggle to make an impact? The secret often lies in self-awareness - the foundation of all emotional intelligence. In this first episode of our summer mini-series, we explore why most leaders think they're self-aware (spoiler: they're usually not) and share practical strategies to genuinely understand your triggers, strengths, and impact on others.

Whether you're finding yourself repeating the same patterns in difficult conversations or wondering why your messages aren't landing as intended, this episode will give you the tools to start building genuine self-awareness that accelerates your leadership effectiveness.

Key points from this episode

• Why self-awareness is the foundation of all other emotional intelligence skills
• How to use your emotions as signals rather than obstacles
• The simple post-meeting reflection question that can transform your leadership impact
• Why senior leaders receive less honest feedback (and what to do about it)
• The power of asking "What's something I do that I might not notice?"

00:00 Introduction to our EQ Essentials summer series

01:00 What self-awareness really means for leaders

02:00 Pam's personal journey of analysing triggers and building self-awareness

05:00 The coffee vs tea leadership barometer story

06:00 What happens when leaders lack self-awareness

08:00 How poor self-awareness limits your leadership impact

10:00 Two main barriers to developing self-awareness

13:00 Simple strategies: intentional reflection after meetings

14:00 Using emotions as signals for development

16:00 Why positive emotions matter just as much as negative ones

17:00 The power of specific feedback and the "giggle" story

Useful Links

Join The Catalyst Career Club for 50k+ Leaders

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

Follow the Catalyst Careers LinkedIn page for career tips and advice

Interested in working with us?

Get in touch about career or leadership development, outplacement workshops or recruitment support via the Catalyst Careers website

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