Leadership Development: Cultivating Self-Awareness

As we conclude the conversation, Axel, you’ve mentioned the subject of authenticity, of self-awareness as a leader has come up in a number of guises. How can leaders cultivate a great awareness of their strengths and their weaknesses? What have severed you well in your career in that regard?

I think it’s the best way to get that is when you have this open culture as I try to explain and get feedback, as well, and encourage feedback and then get feedback from your people. That doesn’t mean that they’re always telling you what a cool guy you are, but they’re really giving you an honest feedback in terms of listen, this we didn’t like so much on the last meeting. Obviously, we would not want that so much in a group discussion there, but you would encourage that problem to say in a one-on-one meeting, which you have, but that you’re then open and listen to what the people have to tell you. I think that at least I’ve always tried to create that kind of environment in my management teams. The people then were willing, as well, to be open in terms of criticism and saying how we could do things better on an even personal level.