According to organizational psychologist, researcher, and leadership expert Dr. Tasha Eurich (author of Bankable Leadership and, most recently, Insight: The Surprising Truth About How Others See Us, How We See Ourselves, and Why the Answers Matter More Than We Think), only about 10-15% of individuals assessed in her large-scale scientific investigation met criteria consistent with being self-aware (if you are curious about your own level of self-awareness, go to Eurich’s internet-based Insight Quiz). Additionally surprising is Eurich’s observation that previous work on self-awareness reveals little consistency and often glaring contradictions in how the construct has been defined and understood. Eurich identifies two types of self-awareness that are often erroneously used interchangeably: internal self-awareness refers to insight you possess regarding your own personal values, passions, aspirations, and personality tendencies, whereas external awareness captures your understanding of how others see you. Eurich’s findings portray intriguing differences in how these types of self-awareness play out in the workplace and beyond. Internal self-awareness is linked to higher job and relationship satisfaction, she has found, while external self-awareness appears to help leaders relate to their employees more effectively. More broadly, people who are strong in one type of self-awareness may not necessarily be equally skilled in the other type, leading Eurich to theorize four “leadership archetypes” (introspectors, seekers, aware, and pleasers). To increase self-awareness in her consulting work with senior executives, Eurich focuses on the assessment and development of three leadership “pillars” (values, reactions, and impact/openness to feedback). In the next virtual meeting of the Men’s Group Seminar on Saturday, October 15, 2022 (10:15 to 11:30 AM), we will consider Eurich’s approach to enhancing internal and external self-awareness. We will also discuss her notion of the fallibility of our  own self-perceptions (what she calls the “cult of self”) and her differentiating self-reflection (Why questions that often lead to rumination and unhappiness) from self-awareness (arrived at via What questions that generate objectivity, insight and action-oriented future direction). The TEDx talk “Increase Your Self-Awareness with One Simple Fix” and two interviews of Eurich (“The Science of Self Awareness” and “The Importance of Self-Awareness”) will be our focus.

*Registration Directions: If you would like to attend the next virtual meeting of the Men’s Group Seminar on Saturday, October 15, 2022, 10:15 AM to 11:30 AM, please RSVP to me at 949-338-4388 or jt@jamestobinphd.com no later than Thursday, October 13, 2022. The fee is $25.00 (payable before entering the virtual meeting) and informed consent for participation in this telehealth event must be completed prior to the seminar. Please note that the Men’s Group Seminar is psychoeducational in nature, not therapeutic, and does not constitute psychotherapy or counseling.