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There’s nothing worse than having a boss or colleague who’s clueless. Completely oblivious to everything and everyone around them and their own behavior, they blindly make their way through the world, never quite understanding why they aren’t progressing in their careers.
They’re the same folks who haven’t tapped into the power of awareness, the soft skill that helps you better understand yourself, others, and your environment.
Cultivating awareness is an intentional practice, yet many mistakenly believe that they don’t need to work on it; here are a few clues that might suggest otherwise:
1. You can’t answer the question, “What do I want?”
If you can’t articulate what you want, it’s time to focus on your awareness. Self-aware people seek clarity and understand the importance of carving out time to reflect on their goals regularly. They also accept that what they want may and most likely will change over time and adjust their activities and priorities to support that shift.
2. Your career is on autopilot.
If you’ve reached the point in your career where you’re mindlessly going through the motions, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Finding your rhythm is great; coasting is not. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize when they’re in a career rut because they busy themselves being busy, ignoring the red flags of their discontent. Self-awareness will help you recognize when you’re feeling unmotivated, frustrated because you don’t have an answer or resource that might help you progress or seem to lack a clear direction.
3. You’re a multitasker.
Sorry to break it to you, but multitasking won’t help you be more productive, and it dulls your powers of observation. Studies show that we’re wired to monotask, and attempting to multitask splits our focus and slows us down. It also prevents you from being fully present with others and picking up on body language subtleties and nuances of tone that suggest there’s something else in play. The savviest leaders understand that giving someone their full attention helps them tune into and cultivate their awareness.
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4. You don’t understand why everyone is so sensitive.
What we think we’re projecting and how others are receiving us can be two very different things. For instance, you may not realize that you’ve brought negativity and anger from the upsetting call you just had into your meeting, but your colleagues can certainly feel it. Self-awareness is not just about knowing how you move through the world but also how your energy affects others. Before you head into a team huddle, begin a pitch, or meet with a client, make a conscious choice about what energy you want to project and then do that.
5. You’re always the last to know.
Are you always caught off guard and feel like you’re the last one to know when there’s news or a change? Time to up your awareness and pay attention. Your ability to perceive what is happening—or predict what will happen—in your company or industry means that you understand how to connect the dots and read between the lines. For instance, during an all-hands meeting, you might be able to decipher that your boss is hinting at a future acquisition. The more observant you are of what’s happening around you, the better you’ll be to see the current reality and future possibilities.
Did any of these clues ring true for you? Not to worry; you’ve just taken the first step in cultivating your awareness. With practice, you’ll be able to use this soft skill to your advantage.
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This article is part of a multi-week series covering the range of soft skills and how to cultivate and apply them to your career. Be sure to check out my earlier articles on empathy, persuasion, connecting with others, listening, communication, creativity, collaboration, adaptability, and time management.
