You Are Not As Self-aware As You Think You Are: Why True Self-awareness Is at the Core of Great Leadership

So you think you’re self-aware? Think again!

Most leaders believe themselves to be self-aware. But what does ‘self-awareness’ really mean? How is it different from self-knowledge or self-consciousness? Being self-aware starts with understanding what self-awareness is, so that’s where this book begins. It then goes on to explore why developing self-awareness is the route to developing deeper self-acceptance and self-connection, so that you can start to de-latch your self-worth and ego from outcomes, meaning that you become able to lead more powerfully through uncertainty.

Leaders are increasingly facing ‘wicked problems’ in this VUCA world so this book is primarily written for them; it is also highly relevant for coaches supporting those leaders and for anyone who wants to develop self-awareness more effectively.

The writing is underpinned and inspired by Julia Carden’s doctoral research into self-awareness and its role in the development of executive coaches, and includes questions and exercises for self-reflection to develop self-awareness at every step.

Dr Julia Carden was born and raised in Cornwall and “made in the Royal Navy”. A certified and accredited coach, she runs a coaching and coaching supervision practice and is a visiting tutor at Henley Business School, teaching on the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching, MSc in Executive Coaching for Behavioural Change and heading up the Professional Certificate in Coaching Supervision.