How do you practice self-awareness in your professional relationships?

To practice self-awareness in professional relationships, think of it like a constant self-check-in. Start by actively seeking feedback from colleagues and supervisors—not just in formal reviews but through casual, honest conversations. Use this feedback to identify patterns in your behavior, and be open to adjusting your approach. Balance this with introspection: reflect on your day-to-day interactions and ask yourself if you’re truly listening and responding empathetically. Tools like journaling or mindfulness can help. Remember, it’s about growth, not perfection. This mindset fosters genuine connections and continuous improvement.

Asking colleagues, friends and family members what they see as your strengths and weaknesses can let you know where your blindspots are for areas of improvement as well as areas you're wonderful at and had no idea. Looking for constructive feedback is a trait of a growth mindset and will allow you to level up faster.

Its imperative to leverage impartial 'Self-Reflection' as a tool as a first step towards being self-aware...Psychometric tools like DISC, MBTI are powerful tools for self-awareness...Analyse each task, day or week to understand how you can raise your bar in your next opportunity....Seek feedback, act on it...Don't be hard on yourself when you make mistakes, instead be resilient...give yourself the due credit when you succeed...No one is perfect...we are all learning...

To practice self-awareness in professional relationships, start by tuning into your emotional landscape. Think of your emotions as signals rather than distractions. Whenever you feel a strong emotion, take a moment to pause and reflect. Ask yourself what triggered the feeling and how it influenced your actions. Journaling can help, but try a unique twist: voice memos. Record your thoughts and play them back later. This method offers fresh insights into your emotional triggers and patterns. Over time, this practice will help you manage your reactions and strengthen your professional connections.

Also, when in conversation with people (or looking back at interactions) try to look at the interaction as an impartial 3rd party. Take your ego out of it. Also trying to see the conversation from the other person's perspective can help you adjust your actions.

Something that I'm doing more recently is reading more about specific communication styles. I will reflect on how a conversation went, replay aspects in my mind and reflect on what could have been conveyed more effectively. I write down notes or have an ongoing list of what to pick up on for the next conversation. I try to empathize with how the receiver may have a different dominant conversation or communication style. I am a very direct communicator and I often express that to people to set the tone and context so that the emotions I'm conveying are understood.

Self-awareness is a very important thing in business because being self-aware can be a huge asset for growth and success in the long run. Seeking perspectives from others allows you to think more critically, challenge your own thoughts and assumptions, and possibly ask new and more insightful questions going forward too.

To practice self-awareness in professional relationships, try something unconventional: imagine a "mind swap." Think about how others, especially those with different backgrounds or opinions, perceive situations. Actively seek their perspectives by asking open-ended questions and truly listening. You might even role-play their point of view. This method not only broadens your understanding but also deepens your empathy and respect for diversity. By stepping into others' shoes, you'll enrich your professional interactions and foster a more inclusive environment.

One unique way to practice self-awareness in professional relationships is to dive into learning something completely new, unrelated to your job. Whether it's cooking, coding, or a new language, this will stretch your mind and give you fresh perspectives. This new knowledge can spark creativity and help you see things differently at work. Plus, it shows you're adaptable and open to growth. Engaging with different subjects can build confidence and resilience, making you a more empathetic and well-rounded professional.

One advanced way to practice self-awareness in professional relationships is to seek feedback from unexpected sources. Instead of only asking managers or colleagues, get insights from customers or clients. Their unique perspective can highlight areas you might overlook and provide fresh, actionable feedback. This approach not only helps you grow but also shows your commitment to continuous improvement. Acting on diverse feedback can enhance your empathy, adaptability, and overall effectiveness in your role.

Once you have that feedback, actually act on it. This shows the people that gave the feedback that you are interested in personal or professional growth.