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Women's self awareness and leadership

*This article was submitted by Sophie Ngugi, Young Women's Leadership Institute

Many women, young and older ones are getting into different levels of leadership and responsibility. While talking with a young woman who has achieved a high level of influence in her leadership roles at work, she disclosed to me that one of her defining moments in the recent past was when she was given feedback by her colleagues that really took her aback.

At first she found the feedback quite disturbing and she had to take time off from her normal duties to reflect and find herself. However, the experience ended up being her greatest asset in the recent past. She was able to self asses herself and re-discover herself. Despite the emotional and social turbulence that she had to undergo, this has left her even stronger and she feels she will have more impact in her leadership roles and also in her personal life. She feels more capable of balancing her personal and public roles.

According to Saleem N.A, a leader is one who influences subordinates to work willingly and enthusiastically towards achievement of set of goals. In leadership therefore a leaders aims to have the followers work towards certain goals voluntarily. It therefore requires inborn and acquired skills and a willingness to guide the vision of others without selfish motives but the sake of a greater good.

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment. Tao Tzu, This may sound easy but many times people will admit that the question they dread most in an interview is tell us about yourself. Many wonder how to continue beyond the name, academic & professional qualifications. There is need to take time in self awareness, this person whose skin you live in 24 hours a day, 7 days a week can't be such a stranger! ... more

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