In the second episode of our Emotional Intelligence series, Rich and Dave explore the mirror that most leaders look into with nothing more than a surface level glance. The mirror that is self-awareness. Drawing on coaching conversations, leadership development work, and real-world examples, they unpack why so many capable leaders struggle to see the impact they are having on others, particularly when the pressure rises.

The conversation challenges the common assumption that self-awareness is simply introspection or understanding the voice inside your head. Instead, Rich argues that genuine self-awareness is a much deeper skill involving an awareness of ourselves, the people around us, and the effect our behaviour has on the wider system.

The episode explores leadership blind spots, the way authority and pressure distort feedback, and why confidence without humility can become a barrier to learning. Rich and Dave also discuss the difference between reflective self-awareness after an event and the much harder skill of maintaining awareness in the moment when stakes are high.

Ultimately, this episode argues that self-awareness is not about becoming self-critical. It is about creating more choice, enabling leaders to respond intentionally rather than react automatically, and laying the foundation for emotional intelligence, trust, and lasting leadership effectiveness.

Key Talking Points

• Why deep self-awareness is the foundation of true emotional intelligence
• The difference between introspection and genuine self-awareness
• How authority, status and pressure create leadership blind spots
• Why feedback becomes harder to receive as leaders become more senior
• Common blind spots including certainty, control, impatience and withdrawal
• The difference between reflection after the event and awareness in the moment
• How confidence can become a barrier to learning when it lacks humility
• Practical ways leaders can create more choice under pressure