It’s important to clearly understand yourself and how others perceive you. It can be easy to get caught up in your perspective and forget that others may have a different view. In this article, I’d like to explore the differences between how I see myself, how others see me, and what I’ve learned from this process.
Introduction
I’m James D. Washington, an organizational leader, business owner, professor, and author. Throughout my career, I’ve always prided myself on being humble, serving the Lord, loving my family, and doing whatever it takes to ensure others have what they need to succeed. However, I’ve realized that my perception of myself may not always align with how others see me.
Humility and Service
I’ve always seen myself as someone who puts others first and ensures they have what they need to succeed. However, I’ve been told that sometimes I come across as overbearing or pushy. This was a difficult realization for me, as it goes against my core values of humility and service. Through reflection and feedback from others, I’ve come to understand that finding the right balance between serving others and respecting their autonomy is vital to being an effective leader.
Communication
For most of my life, I considered myself an introvert who didn’t speak much. However, as I’ve grown as a leader, I’ve realized that this isn’t entirely true. While it’s true that I’m not always the most talkative person in the room, I do have a tendency to talk a lot when I’m passionate about a topic. Writing has helped me to focus my thoughts and communicate more effectively, but I’m still working on being a better listener. I’ve learned that effective communication is about more than just speaking; it’s about listening, understanding, and responding in a way that shows you value the other person’s perspective.
Leadership Style
As a leader, I’ve always been drawn to the idea of being a silent leader who leads by example and allows others to take the spotlight. However, through feedback from others and my self-reflection, I’ve realized that this isn’t really who I am. While I believe in leading by example, I’ve come to understand that I’m an extroverted leader who enjoys collaborating with others and sharing my ideas. I’m still learning how to balance my desire to lead with my desire to serve others, but I’m beginning to see that there can be value in stepping forward and taking charge when the situation calls for it.
Conclusion
Reflecting on how I see myself and how others see me has been a humbling but valuable experience. It’s easy to get caught up in your perspective and forget that others may view you differently. By being open to feedback and willing to reflect on my behavior, I’ve grown as a leader and person. Please take some time to reflect on how you see yourself and how others see you. You might be surprised by what you discover.
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