The Reflective Leader: Tapping Into Self-Awareness During Change

Change. Even the word can stir up a whirlwind of emotions—excitement, fear, doubt, and everything in between. As a leader navigating a change initiative, these feelings might feel like uninvited guests at your carefully planned leadership table. But here’s the truth: they’re not signs you’re doing something wrong. They’re reminders of your humanity—and an opportunity to lead from a place of self-awareness, courage, and patience.

After more than two decades in organizational change management, I’ve seen firsthand how leaders wrestle with the emotions and insecurities change brings. And let me tell you: it’s normal. The best leaders aren’t those who avoid these feelings but those who recognize and address them head-on.

Becoming Self-Aware: A Gentle Wake-Up Call

Change has a sneaky way of holding up a mirror to our inner selves. It’s in these moments that insecurities might surface: the nagging voice of imposter syndrome whispering, “Am I really equipped for this?” or the shadow of fear murmuring, “What if this doesn’t work?”

When these voices arise, the first step isn’t to fight them or shove them aside—it’s to notice them. Self-awareness doesn’t mean fixing everything right away; it means pausing to understand what these feelings are telling you. Are they rooted in past experiences? A desire for control? A fear of failure? The more you know about what’s happening inside you, the more equipped you’ll be to lead others through the same turbulence.

If I am being honest, I have anxiety EVERY TIME I start a new change project. It is completely normal, and I now recognize it as part anticipation and part nerves. I recognize what I am feeling and use that energy to help me dig in and prepare for the upcoming change. Interestingly, I have several friends who are professional speakers, and they also have anxiety before speaking. We all experience it, what matters is that we recognize it and keep moving forward.

Courage: The Quiet Strength to Keep Going

Self-awareness naturally paves the way for courage—not the bold, lionhearted type we often picture, but a quieter, steadier kind. It’s the courage to face your inner critic with empathy instead of judgment. It’s the bravery to say, “I don’t have all the answers, but I’m willing to figure it out.” (I lovingly call this Scrappy Leadership! And in January, I will have an announcement just for my Scrappy Leaders! Stay tuned!)

Courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to act even when fear is present. In change initiatives, this might look like taking a small but meaningful step forward when the path feels uncertain. Or it could be acknowledging your own vulnerability with your team, creating space for them to do the same.

One of the greatest lessons I have learned during my career is to recognize my uncertainty and then lean in to address it. I cannot tell you how many times I have had a client ask me about a “change approach” and I had to Google it to figure out what they were talking about. But it takes courage, to say, “I am not familiar with that term/theory. Allow me to do some research and get back with you.” The first time I did that, I thought I was going to be fired on the spot, but the client saw this as me not bluffing and it allowed us to create a stronger relationship.

Patience: The Grace to Let Things Unfold

If courage keeps you moving, patience reminds you to slow down when needed. Change rarely happens on our desired timeline, and the temptation to rush through discomfort is real. But when we lean into patience, we allow ourselves—and others—the space to process, adapt, and grow.

Patience might mean recognizing that progress won’t always look like a straight line. It could mean giving yourself grace when you stumble or extending understanding to a team member struggling to adjust. It’s in these moments of pause that we can reconnect with our self-awareness, recalibrate, and remind ourselves that growth takes time.

Reflect and Lead with Intention

As a leader, your inner world shapes your outer actions. By cultivating self-awareness, you’re not just leading a change initiative—you’re navigating your own growth alongside it. When you couple this with the courage to face challenges head-on and the patience to trust the process, you model the very traits your team needs to see.

Pause and Reflect: Journaling Prompts for Leaders

Take a moment to reflect on your journey as a leader navigating change. These journaling prompts can help you tune into your self-awareness, courage, and patience:

• What emotions am I noticing about this change? How might they be connected to past experiences?
• What’s one fear I’m facing right now, and how can I approach it with empathy?
• Where am I feeling rushed or pressured? What would it look like to let go of that urgency?
• What’s one small win I can celebrate today, for myself or my team?

Taking this time for self-reflection will help you show up as a better partner and leader. Remember, you need to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. (I am on a plane right now, so be sure to put your oxygen mask on before you assist others. 😊)

Closing Thoughts

Leadership during change is not about having all the answers or being invincible. It’s about showing up—flaws, doubts, and all—and committing to move forward with clarity, courage, and grace. When you embrace self-awareness, courage, and patience as your guideposts, you don’t just survive change. You thrive within it.