Note: This article has been updated to reflect the latest research on self-awareness, leadership effectiveness, and workplace performance.

How to practice self-awareness

Self-awareness is a fundamental skill that can greatly enhance your personal and professional growth. By developing self-awareness, you gain valuable insights into your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, allowing you to make more informed decisions and establish better relationships with others.

Despite its importance, only 10–15% of people are truly self-aware, even though 95% believe they are. Research shows that genuinely self-aware individuals are more confident, creative, make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and progress faster in their careers (SkillPath, 2024).

In this article, we explore:

• What self-awareness is

• Why it matters in modern work and leadership

• How mindfulness supports self-awareness

• Practical strategies to develop and sustain it

What is self-awareness?

Self-awareness is the ability to recognise your thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and how they affect yourself and others. It involves understanding your strengths, weaknesses, values, and beliefs, and recognising how these influence your decisions and interactions.

Self-awareness is not a static state but a continuous journey of self-discovery and self-reflection. It requires a willingness to explore your inner experiences, confront uncomfortable truths, and embrace growth.

When you are self-aware, you can step back and objectively assess your thoughts and emotions rather than being driven by unconscious reactions or external pressures.

Why is self-awareness important?

Self-awareness is essential for personal growth, emotional intelligence, and professional success. It enables you to align your actions with your values, improve decision-making, and build stronger relationships.

Evidence consistently shows that self-aware individuals outperform their peers. Those with higher self-awareness demonstrate greater confidence, creativity, and resilience, while also advancing more quickly in their careers

In today’s hybrid, automated, and people-centric workplaces, self-awareness has become a critical future skill. As automation increases, soft skills such as emotional regulation, empathy, and communication are increasingly important for performance and leadership.

Understanding the core elements of self-awareness

Self-awareness includes both introspection and self-reflection.

• Introspection involves examining your inner thoughts, emotions, and motivations.

• Self-reflection is the process of observing your behaviour and understanding how it impacts others.

Together, these practices help uncover patterns, emotional triggers, and habitual responses that influence everyday interactions and leadership behaviours.

The role of mindfulness in self-awareness

Mindfulness, the practice of being fully present without judgment, plays a vital role in developing self-awareness. By practicing mindfulness, individuals learn to observe their thoughts and emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them.

Recognising how we act and react is essential to personal development. As organisations increasingly adopt automation, the future of work depends on individuals’ ability to manage emotions and cultivate strong interpersonal relationships.

In immersive learning scenarios such as those offered by Cornerstone, learners practice identifying emotional responses in challenging workplace situations and regulating those emotions to improve outcomes.

Mindfulness techniques that enhance self-awareness

Several mindfulness techniques can be integrated into daily routines:

Meditation

Meditation involves focusing attention on the breath or a specific object while observing thoughts and emotions without judgment. Over time, this strengthens emotional awareness and regulation.

Body scan practice

Body scan meditation brings attention to physical sensations throughout the body. This technique increases awareness of stress, tension, and emotional responses stored physically.

These practices help build a stronger mind-body connection and deepen self-understanding.

Practical strategies for developing self-awareness

Developing self-awareness is a lifelong process that requires intentional practice.

Daily reflection

Set aside time each day to reflect on experiences, interactions, and emotional responses. Reflection allows individuals to identify behavioural patterns and decision-making habits.

Journaling for self-awareness

Journaling provides a private space for self-expression and exploration. Writing down thoughts and emotions helps clarify experiences, identify triggers, and track personal growth over time.

Revisiting journal entries can offer valuable insights into emotional patterns and long-term development.

Self-awareness in leadership and team performance

Self-awareness is especially critical for leaders. Research shows that self-aware leaders increase team engagement by 25% and improve employee retention by 20%, significantly outperforming leaders who rely primarily on technical expertise (ahead, 2025).

Leaders with high self-awareness are better equipped to:

• Regulate emotions under pressure

• Communicate with clarity and empathy

• Build trust and psychological safety

Additionally, leaders with strong self-awareness report higher job satisfaction, which positively impacts their direct reports and contributes to stronger overall performance and morale (Dr Sarah Whyte, LinkedIn, 2025).

Overcoming common obstacles to self-awareness

While self-awareness is highly beneficial, it can be challenging to develop.

Common barriers

• Fear of confronting uncomfortable truths

• Resistance to acknowledging weaknesses or biases

• Excessive self-criticism or judgment

These barriers can prevent individuals from engaging honestly with themselves.

Strategies for overcoming challenges

Cultivating self-compassion is essential. Self-awareness is a journey, not a destination. Embracing imperfections, seeking feedback from others, and remaining open to different perspectives support continued growth.

Immersive learning experiences allow individuals to practice self-awareness and emotional regulation in realistic scenarios, receiving feedback in a safe environment.

Maintaining and enhancing self-awareness over time

Self-awareness requires ongoing attention and practice.

Long-term strategies

• Regular self-reflection and mindfulness

• Periodic review of goals and emotional patterns

• Engaging in activities that promote authenticity and alignment

Continuous learning and growth

Continued learning strengthens self-awareness. Training programs focused on emotional intelligence, communication, and empathy help individuals refine self-awareness skills over time.

Key takeaways

• Only a small percentage of people are truly self-aware, despite most believing they are

• Self-awareness improves confidence, decision-making, and career progression

• Mindfulness is a proven method for cultivating self-awareness

• Self-aware leaders drive higher engagement, retention, and performance

• Ongoing practice is essential for long-term personal and professional growth

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some exercises or techniques for enhancing self-awareness?
Self-awareness can be enhanced through mindfulness meditation, journaling, emotional check-ins, reflection after key interactions, and immersive learning experiences.

Are there self-awareness training courses or workshops available?
Yes. Organisations such as Cornerstone offer self-awareness and emotional intelligence training through immersive, scenario-based learning.

How does self-awareness impact leadership and teamwork?
Self-awareness improves communication, empathy, emotional regulation, job satisfaction, and team engagement—key capabilities for effective leadership and collaboration.