k that we want total agreement during all stages of a project, in reality contrary points of view provide more choice and help avoid unethical decision-making. Exceptional leaders demonstrate loyalty not only to their organization, but also to their followers. Being loyal means that they deeply consider what is best for others, despite what you may want or need for yourself. Do, as I say, not as I do is the best way to fail in leadership. Remember the old clich: Actions speak louder than words, people can be inspired by words, but they follow actions. OH # 9 Johari’s Window. Self-knowledge is critical for people to develop and grow in every aspect of our lives, and that includes leadership skills. By being familiar with our strengths and limitations, we are able to use our strengths to best advantage and create a plan to expand the abilities we find limited. Alternately, we can surround ourselves with people who compensate for our limitations. Whatever approach we eventually take, self-knowledge is the first critical step. Johari’s Window is a concept used by self-development trainers. It describes degrees of knowledge about the self in two dimensions, (1) that which is known/unknown to the self and (2) that which is known/unknown to others. Using these categories produces a two by two matrix of potential circumstances of knowledge regarding the self. The first quadrant, public knowledge describes things about us that we are aware of and so are others. The second quadrant, blind knowledge, can be what derails us from success as a leader. This quadrant describes things about us that others are aware of and that we are not; thus, we are blind to our true natures. Often, it is as simple as thinking we are better at something than we really are. Because this is such a large problem in organizations, many companies in private business have instituted multi-rater (360 degree) feedback processes. These allow superior, subordinates,...
