A few months ago, I experienced a business setback. I was sharing it openly with a leadership colleague and as I outlined the details, he seemed to take extra time to listen. Later that evening, he sent me a text message of encouragement. I sat on my bed thinking how much I appreciated his concern, follow up, and empathy.

We’ve looked at self-awareness in week one and the power of self-management last week. Let’s now focus on the leadership competency social awareness.

Empathy: Leaders with empathy are able to read and respond to others emotions. They are attuned to a wide range of emotional signals, letting others express those feelings and emotions rather than ignore. Such leaders.listen attentively and can grasp other person’s perspective.

Empathy is a hard-edge skill that allows a leader to connect strongly and get along well with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Strategic Network: A leader with a keen social awareness does not isolate or stay in business silos. Rather, strategically networks with business professionals and leaders from a diverse background.

Servant Leadership: Leaders high in social awareness are led by a serving attitude of others they lead. They foster an emotional climate so that people directly in touch with the customer or client will keep the relationship on the right track, always serving their various needs, wants, and desires. Servant leaders also make themselves available as needed.

Assess how you would rate yourself, on a scale of 1 to 5, in the below areas (1= low, 5 = high)

Select one area to improve in the next 30-days. Remember, emotional intelligence and social awareness can increase your leadership and reputation with your team and customers.

Part 4 is coming next week. We will look into relationship management.

Yours in Leadership,
Steve