Without self-awareness, many leaders and organizations can suffer a myriad of complications across the people, processes and bottom line aspects of the organization. The reality is self-aware leaders are better able to cope with the ups and downs, and adapt accordingly so their people and company can stay competitive in our ever-changing business world.

When leaders get stuck in autopilot, their performance is stifled. The only way out is through heightening your level of self-awareness, which is not a one-time occurrence or activity. It must be nurtured and developed consistently, moment by moment as you navigate through your busy days. Only then can leaders make healthy, strategic change that will help them improve, both personally and professionally.

All leaders suffer from fear from time to time. The trick is to understand where the fear is coming from and working proactively to handle it. Leaders who let fear rule their actions and behaviors will not get very far. Learning to face leadership fears can be a positive accelerator to self-improvement which will have positive effects across the organization.

Communicating effectively is a critical skill that every leader needs to have. However, how we communicate during difficult conversations is also a skill that needs to be honed. No one likes the idea of facing a tough conversation, but they cannot be avoided, and, if handled badly, can compromise your role and the success of the organization.

Today’s leaders cannot short-change their communication abilities. And body language is a big part of how one communicates. This is important, whether we work in-office or remotely. Our people still need to rely on us being consistent in how we communicate. Are you working to ensure your communications are thoughtful, empowering, and aligned?

Being a “bad” boss does nothing for a leader’s career or for those around them. Some leaders are able to get away with certain behaviors, and I think I can safely say that this is becoming less tolerable by many organizations. Today’s leaders need to lead with empathy and compassion. It’s the only way to keep your employees and customers happy.

Hiring for Emotional Intelligence is essential for organizations that want to succeed. Leaders set the tone for how others behave, which is why EQ must be possessed at the top if we expect it from our people. These simple tips can help you incorporate EQ into your recruitment and hiring process so that you build teams that produce better results for your business.

For new leaders, saying no can feel like the very last thing you want to do when you want to rise in your corporate career. However, it’s important to hone this skill by working to become self-aware and judicious in your communication while being respectful and inclusive of others.