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Objective: You will be able to better understand yourself and learn to take a lead in your personal life.
What is self leadership?
What is self leadership?
Self-leadership is knowing who you are, what you can do and where you are going, coupled with the ability to manage your communication, emotions and behaviour on the way to getting there. (Bryant and Kazan, 2012)
The World and I
The World and I
We live in a world where we are constantly observing events and activities. We process information and gather feedback from what we experienced as individuals, and these feedback, in the form of thoughts and feelings, create the frames of mind which affect our character and personality. We then behave based on these frames of mind, and hence contribute to the events and activities in social settings, becoming the once-again events and activities which we initially observed from others. Over time, are we who we are because of the events we experienced, or do we know who we really are and what makes each of us different?
Let us watch a short video about the three components of self-leadership. Drag the timeline to begin listening from 6:58.
Self Awareness
Self Awareness
- What kind of a life are you living? What are you doing about it?
- How do you react/respond to events around you? How are you feeling?
- What are your blind spots and weaknesses?
Scenario: You are walking to the library when a classmate run and push you, causing you to drop your stationery.
- How will you feel?
- What will you do?
- Why do you feel and act that way?
Self Reflection
Self Reflection
Do you find yourself in a constant state of engagement where you hardly have time to stop and think about what just happened? Most of the time, we find ourselves surrounded by people (family, friends, etc.) and constantly responding to situations, one after another, such that our days go by without much thought and review of how our actions have impacted the people around us, and on ourselves.
It is a good habit to give yourself a few minutes each day to reflect on what you have experienced during the day so that you become more mindful and aware of your actions and overall well-being.
Self Regulation
Self Regulation
Besides developing awareness about yourself through reflections, it is also important for one to be able to self-regulate. Self regulation is about the ability to control our impulses and emotions. It involves self-discipline, which is often absent when one finds himself in unproductive or even disruptive moments.
“We are what we repeatedly do, excellence then is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle
“知人者智，自知者明。胜人者有力，自胜者强。” - 老子，《道德经，第33章》
“知人者智，自知者明。胜人者有力，自胜者强。” - 老子，《道德经，第33章》
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." - William ernest Henley, english poet
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." - William ernest Henley, english poet
Case Study
Case Study
You came to school in the morning earlier than usual because you wanted to ask your classmates for help with some homework. However, you saw your classmates crowding around and playing mobile games on their hand phones. Do you…
- Forget about the homework and join/watch them play?
- Ask your friend for his homework to copy so that you can join them in the game?
- Ask your friend for help on your homework?
Ways to strengthen self-discipline
Ways to strengthen self-discipline
- Thinking before doing
- Finishing what you set out to do
- Carrying out one’s decisions and plans in spite of inconvenience, hardships or obstacles
- Forgoing instant and immediate gratification in favour of greater gain
Tips to develop your self leadership
Tips to develop your self leadership
- Set goals for your life.
- Practise discretion constantly.
- Take initiative.
- Be humble and give away credit.
- Learn to love ideas and experiments.
- Live in wonder.
- Don’t take liberty with morals and values.
- Find the beauty in things and in people.
- Reject pessimism about yourself.
- Embrace change.
- Be a lifelong learner.
- Care for and about people.
“There is a person with whom you spend more time than any other, a person who has more influence over you, and more ability to interfere with or to support your growth than anyone else. This ever-present companion is your own self.” – Dr Pamela Butler, Clinical Psychologist
“There is a person with whom you spend more time than any other, a person who has more influence over you, and more ability to interfere with or to support your growth than anyone else. This ever-present companion is your own self.” – Dr Pamela Butler, Clinical Psychologist
Reflection
Reflection
You have come to the end of this lesson. To check your understanding, spend a few minutes to reflect on the following questions and discuss with your peers or teachers if necessary.
1. What are your goals in life? Describe the kind of person you want to be in terms of your personality and character.
2. Name a recent situation when you were provoked by someone or had to operate outside your comfort zone. How did you respond to the situation? How will you respond if you encounter a similar situation again?
3. Leadership must start with self. Give your thoughts on this.
Key points to takeaway
Key points to takeaway
1. What we observed around us eventually affects our behaviour. We tend to follow societal norms and trends even if they are undesirable.
2. Self-leadership is about understanding yourself and managing your life the way you want it to be.
3. “We are what we repeatedly do, excellence then is not an act, but a habit.” - Aristotle
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