A Clearer Window Into Performance

Psychologist and author Daniel Goleman identifies self-awareness as a core component of emotional and social intelligence—the ability to accurately assess and know oneself. However, our research, in collaboration with the University of Barcelona, found that nearly 50 percent of leaders either overestimate or underestimate how others evaluate them, highlighting a significant gap between self-perception and external perception. That gap can undermine effective leadership because leaders who lack accurate self-insight may struggle to make informed decisions, build trust, and navigate tricky interpersonal situations with their teams.