Fostering Professional Excellence: Self-awareness as a Moral Responsibility

Talk Description

We all, often, think of ourselves as great people, unique, and maybe even the best in some sense (for better or worse). However, all these are usually until we need to interact with others.

How often do we get into a new team, or a new organisation and the happiness we usually feel at the start of the adventure start to dwindle over time?
There may be several reasons why this may happen. However, in a professional context, it can be due to the work culture, the leadership structure, the nature of work, and even our fellow colleagues. Yes, our colleagues, because it is always about them and not us, right?

The behavioural and cognitive attributes of professionals are usually not easy to control when recruiting for a position, or even when you are joining a new team. Yet, in today's dynamic professional landscape, achieving excellence and finding joy in our work is not only dependent on technical skills or qualifications; rather it hinges ever more on a deeper understanding of oneself.

In many years of working in various software development teams, I have experienced firsthand, the paramount importance of self-awareness in cultivating a productive and harmonious work environment. Even, some research has indicated that individuals with high levels of self-awareness are better equipped to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, make informed decisions, and adapt to challenging circumstances. In the context of the workplace, self-awareness enables employees to recognise their unique talents and limitations, leading to improved collaboration, communication, and conflict resolution. Moreover, self-aware professionals are more adept at managing stress, fostering resilience, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

In light of the impact our actions and ways of being can have on us, and others, being self-aware becomes an important skill to cultivate as individuals. It is for this reason I say that "self-awareness is a moral responsibility at the workplace". Because, the more self-aware you are, the better colleague you will be to your team members.

The difficult question usually is: how do we cultivate self-awareness?
And, what can you do as someone in a position of leadership to foster a culture that values introspection and self-reflection?

I believe these are difficult, but important questions that need to be further discussed in the software development space. So, in this talk, I wish to share stories from my work-life experience to buttress the transformative power of self-awareness in shaping individuals into skilled professionals, great collaborators, effective leaders, and contributors to a healthy work environment.

By the end of this session, you'll be able to: