How Authentic Leaders Make A Greater Impact With Self-Awareness

Before my first undercover assignment, I was sent back to the Behavioral Science Unit at the FBI Academy for a series of psychological tests to determine my level of self-awareness. I was disappointed because I expected to learn how to scissor-kick in high heels to take down a guy twice my size. At least, that’s how it’s portrayed in the movies. Alas, not for the first time did I learn that movies are entertainment with a tenuous grasp on reality.

FBI Headquarters understood that self-awareness enables agents to predict their response when confronted with an unexpected situation that can accompany undercover work.

This process taught me I would not be a good candidate for long-term, deep-cover assignments. I fall into the category of over-achiever, and tools like the Enneagram and Myers Briggs personality tests confirmed that I need to be around people because I consistently need to perform. You can’t put a personality like mine into a lonely place and expect them to be happy or productive.

I didn’t know it before, but self-awareness was necessary to become a successful undercover agent.

Leaders in today’s world ask questions like mine: Do I need to become more self-aware to be effective? How will it help me make a greater impact?