Recently, I was asked to facilitate a large meeting for the management of an international company.
In our conversation, I realized that the client’s needs didn’t align well with who I am, what I do, and where my strengths lie. Therefore, I decided not to take on the assignment.
As a coach, I work one-on-one or with smaller management teams. No matter how challenging and exciting the assignment sounded, this client would be better served by a strong facilitator than by me.
The image you have of yourself greatly influences your behavior. It impacts the choices you make and, consequently, the successes and failures you experience.
Self-image comes up in almost every coaching process. Time and again, it becomes clear how important it is to have an accurate picture of who you are, how you relate to other people, how you work and how you look at life.
Imagine that you want to find a new job. A clear self-image is essential for deciding what fits you. It also matters when applying for a role and doing the work well.
Use more than one source to develop an accurate self-image.
A practical starting point is to write down your strengths and the qualities you find more difficult. Struggling with either list? Think of your strengths as the qualities you readily show others, and your less comfortable sides as the things you would rather keep hidden.
Combine your own perspective with that of people around you. Gathering 360-degree feedback does not have to be complicated. Ask 20 people you are regularly in contact with to describe three of your qualities and one area for improvement. Use email or messaging so they have time to think, and give them a deadline.
Choose people from both your personal and working life. Include peers, such as colleagues, friends and siblings, as well as people in different positions: your manager, parents, children or people you lead. What patterns can you recognise in their responses?
You can also use a personality questionnaire as another source for reflection. For example, 16personalities.com offers a short, free questionnaire.
Once you have received the report based on your answers, read it carefully. For each quality described, consider whether you recognise yourself in it. You probably will not agree with everything. Where a description does not fit, write down how you do see yourself. Thinking through the report in this way can help you develop a clearer picture of yourself.
Would you like to know more? Send me a message.
Continue reading: explore coaching, or read Why self-efficacy matters and How life scripts shape your choices.
