Cultural Self-Awareness

“It’s not great news,” said the Senior Leader. “But we need to face it, own it, and fix it.”

I had just presented a culture audit for a global non-profit. The findings revealed challenges and positives. The leadership’s willingness to act was an excellent sign.

Cultural challenges are formidable. It is courageous to invite an outsider like me to help navigate them. Uncovering blind spots and biases, though uncomfortable, is a priceless opportunity for growth and self-awareness.

Carl Jung said it beautifully: “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” Leaders who scrutinize their team’s strengths and weaknesses? Game-changers. You can’t manage what you don’t see.

Self-awareness is not just a piece; it’s the cornerstone. It’s the heart of trust. Trust is the fuel that powers collaboration, productivity, creativity, and results. Without it, teams hide flaws, back-channel, avoid help, jump to conclusions, ignore skills, and gossip. Without trust, you kill curiosity, collaboration, and productivity.

Trust means psychological safety. Teams that trust feel safe sharing failures, weaknesses, and fears, which leads to honesty and better outcomes. Self-awareness, a key ingredient in building trust, is also pivotal in shaping a team’s culture.

Constructive criticism from trusted colleagues is gold. Safe teams raise issues, face reality, speak the truth, hold each other accountable, think creatively, and excel.

Self-aware teams are those that understand their motivations, strengths, and weaknesses. They are efficient, innovative, and rewarding. But they need nurturing. The following five questions can help create cultural self-awareness:

What are your practices and preferences?
- Understand how individuals work best, including their communication style, time management, and technology preferences. This information can tailor interactions and improve collaboration.
What can we learn from past successful relationships?
- Identify patterns and strategies that have worked well in the past and apply them to current relationships. Learn from past successes.
What are the good days and bad days like for you?
- These insights help support individuals during challenging times and enhance overall relationships.
What do you want from me?
- Clarify expectations to avoid misunderstandings and ensure both parties are on the same page.
How can I help you?
- Show a willingness to support and assist others, fostering mutual support and collaboration.

Slow down. Ask. Listen. This may seem counterintuitive in the fast-paced world, but change demands a new approach.

It all starts with leaders like you who are willing to examine their culture, identify what works and what doesn’t, and make necessary changes. You have the power to foster self-awareness by encouraging open communication, providing feedback, and leading by example. This will not only improve everyone’s work life but also contribute to a thriving team culture.

If you want a more trusting team, a culture of belonging or a magnetic brand that attracts more of the right customers, I can help. If you'd like to explore if working together makes sense, drop me a line.

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