In previous posts we have outlined how each specific chakra within our program can help strengthen a different aspect of your business. When used in tandem, these chakras can help create a healthy and wealthy organization.
The Authenticity Chakra in particular seeks to create Courage and Accountability within your business.
This is done through the establishment of:
Self-Awareness
Self-Awareness is a practice that allows one to be fully present and have an objective understanding of the situation at hand. Leadership development website O’Reilly defines Self Awareness as “Self-awareness entails an understanding of our strengths, weaknesses, and limitations, of how we gather and process information, of how we handle ambiguous and stressful situations, and of how we are perceived by and interact with others. It is an indispensable asset in leading organizations”.
The process is quite effective as Organizational Psychologist Tasha Eurich has found that it creates better workers who are more creative and confident. These workers also have improved communication skills and build stronger relationships. It is effective on an organizational level as well as companies are more profitable and employees are typically more satisfied than an organization who does not practice Self-Awareness. However while the process is helpful, it can be difficult to harness. Eurich found that only 15% of the people she surveyed truly harnessed Self-Awareness. A further analysis presented several obstacles to Eurich which she considers to be significant hindrances to achieving self-awareness.
The first was experience, which may come as a shock to some as you may ask, how can experience be anything but a positive? However as she has found, oftentimes experience can lead to overconfidence and a detachment from the reality of the situation. Eucich believes in what she calls “internal and external self-awareness” and believes both must be achieved in tandem to be truly self-aware. A chart below will show the different types of awareness and personalities who inhabit this form of awareness.
Another thing to keep in mind is introspection, specifically that introspection is not the same thing as self-awareness. Eurich does not think that introspection is necessarily incorrect, she simply feels that many do it incorrectly. “The problem with introspection isn’t that it is ineffective—it’s that most people are doing it incorrectly”. This is due to an over emphasis on questions rooted in “why” which in other contexts is effective but not when it comes to self-awareness. Eurich finds that “why” comes with a lot of baggage including the natural human bias of “being right” and the associated negative thoughts that the question brings along with it. Eurich encourages the usage of “what” based questions when it comes to self-awareness. “We should ask what, not why. “What” questions help us stay objective, future-focused, and empowered to act on our new insights” says Eurich. Understanding what the right questions to ask is paramount to introspection and self-awareness.
“The process is not necessarily an easy one and is an on-going process. But as Dr. Eurich puts it “Leaders who focus on building both internal and external self-awareness, who seek honest feedback from loving critics, and who ask what instead of why can learn to see themselves more clearly — and reap the many rewards that increased self-knowledge delivers”. Doing this is one of the key ways in which you will harness the Authenticity Chakra.
2. Cultivate Accountability
Cultivating Accountability is key to cultivating a company culture of employees who believe in your brand and are committed to the work. Cultivating a company culture where employees are given autonomy, freedom and flexibility within their role will lead to accountability. One thing that is very important to keep in mind is the importance of understanding what accountability is and what it means to your business. Simply assigning tasks and micromanaging employees will not be effective and is not cultivating accountability. Expecting employees to feel ownership and pride in that work in this circumstance is illogical, it inevitably will not feel like their work, it will feel like your work that you are instructing them to do for you. Only through this understanding can you truly cultivate accountability.
INC’s article “Successful Leaders Cultivate Accountable Employees” provides some excellent guidance on how to cultivate accountability within your business, below you will find some of these key insights.
Making sure that you are doing what you need to do to cultivate an accountable employee needs to happen from the get-go. “It's much easier to cultivate engagement and ownership from the beginning of an employee's tenure than it is to correct an apathetic attitude later”. Doing this requires cultivating a culture that potential hires feel drawn towards and that employees feel proud to be a part of.
The goal of accountability is in part to create a sense of self-reliance and confidence amongst your employees. “A culture of accountability fosters self-reliance and confidence. Employees don't need to be micromanaged when accountability permeates an organization at every level”. This will mean that your employees will become leaders in their own right, leading the course of their own work with confidence.
Understanding the difference between “responsibility” and “accountability” is essential. “In contrast to accountability, a responsibility is something that is given to someone; a job title, a list of duties, and even something as simple as showing up to work on time are all considered responsibilities”. Making good on one’s responsibilities is important, however this should not be the core barometer for how a successful employee is measured. “successful leaders understand that real motivation comes from within; they spend time and energy shaping a culture that values ownership over crossing to-dos off a checklist”.
Provide Employees With Mentorship
Ask for Employee Feedback and Incorporate That Feedback into the Company Culture
Coaching
Cultivating both Self-Awareness and Accountability within your business is a process, but these insights and tips will set you on your way to doing so.
Sources:
INC: Successful Leaders Cultivate Accountable Employees -
Harvard Business Review: What Self-Awareness Really Is (and How to Cultivate It) -
댓글