We've persuaded TMS Development International Ltd CEO Iain Scott-Bainbridge to share some of what he's learnt from his experience with huge global brands like Thorn EMI and David Lloyd Leisure, to running his own wellbeing and leadership consultancies.
And where better to start at the (almost!) start of a new year, than with Self-Awareness…
The saying 'the only constant in life is change' is particularly relevant and challenging on a global scale at present. However, despite these challenges, self-awareness remains a valuable skill that can lead to personal growth and enhance relationships.
Throughout my career, I've found that self-awareness in leaders and teams is a crucial element for both personal and organisational success, but achieving this trait on a collective basis isn’t easy. From my perspective and experience, we all benefit from other people’s self-awareness, but overcoming biases and blind spots, emotional barriers, the lack of honest feedback, cognitive dissonance and social influences can cloud our judgement, prevent us from acknowledging certain aspects of ‘who we are’, and when our actions don’t align with our beliefs or values, we can go down the route of rationalising our behaviour instead of acknowledging the need for change.
Self-awareness can be a powerful tool for leaders and teams navigating change by enhancing communication, increasing adaptability, improving decision-making, building stronger relationships, and reducing stress by increasing resilience. However, these benefits don’t just happen; they need to be consistently worked on at all levels within an organisation and to cultivate self-awareness within companies, I have consistently utilised psychometric profiles to provide me with real and actionable insights into working styles and preferences.
As we continue to face an ever-changing world, investing in self-awareness can provide your organisation with the resilience and agility needed to thrive. How are your company and teams enhancing self-awareness in 2025?
Iain