Organisational psychologist, Tasha Eurich once said, "Self-awareness is the foundation of everything that matters in life and in leadership." As a fresh graduate, you may not have had the opportunity to fully explore self-awareness, but it is an essential skill to possess in the workplace. Self-awareness is the ability to objectively understand your thoughts, emotions, and actions and how they affect those around you. It is an important skill to possess as it allows you to better understand your strengths, weaknesses, and biases, enabling you to work more effectively with others.

Here are ten ways to improve and raise your self-awareness in the workplace:

1. Practice mindfulness: Take a few minutes each day to meditate, breathe deeply, and focus on the present moment.

2. Reflect on your actions: Take time to reflect on your interactions with others, the outcomes of your actions, and how you could have handled situations differently.

3. Solicit feedback: Ask for feedback from your colleagues and superiors on your work performance and how you can improve.

4. Keep a journal: Write down your thoughts, emotions, and experiences to help you understand your actions and motivations.

5. Seek out diversity: Surround yourself with people from different backgrounds and experiences to gain a better perspective on the world.

6. Be open to constructive criticism: Instead of becoming defensive when receiving feedback, use it as an opportunity to grow and learn.

7. Take personality assessments: Tools such as the GiANT Five Voices Assessment or the Myers-Briggs Personality Test can help you gain insight into your personality traits and tendencies.

8. Practise active listening: Focus on what others are saying and ask clarifying questions to gain a better understanding of their perspectives.

9. Set goals: Set realistic goals for yourself, and regularly evaluate your progress towards achieving them.

10. Take ownership of your actions: Take responsibility for your mistakes and learn from them to avoid making the same errors in the future.

Being self-aware is an essential attribute that can greatly benefit you in the workplace. By engaging in practices like mindfulness, actively seeking feedback, reflecting on your actions, and exposing yourself to diverse perspectives, you can develop a deeper understanding of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. This heightened self-awareness will allow you to work more efficiently with your colleagues, communicate more effectively, and grow as a professional.

How do you plan to improve your self-awareness in the workplace? What steps will you take to gain a better understanding of your thoughts, emotions, and actions? If you're a fresh graduate looking to develop this skill, consider enrolling in Mploydia's courses, which cover a range of topics designed to help you bridge the skills gap and succeed in your career.

Next Steps

Check out our affordable Advanced Employability Course to help you be ready for your next workplace.