BUSINESSMANAGEMENTREVIEW.COMDECEMBER 20239WHAT IS YOUR LEVEL OF IMPACT AWARENESS (IA)?explores how to mitigate the impact, is as transparent as possible about their awareness of the impact, and provides an opportunity for people to be heard. In our leadership coaching sessions, the conversation purposefully moves away from focusing on the behavior of others and toward where it truly belongs: on self-awareness and conscious consideration of the impact of their own actions and decisions. We start by looking backward and analyzing a recent action or decisionby applying the four principles of impact awareness. The ultimate goal is to increase the leader's level of impact awareness for future actions and decisions. As with other leadership competencies, self-awareness, followed by willingness to change, then practice, practice, practice can earn the leader a greater level of proficiency. FOUR PRINCIPLES OF IMPACT AWARENESSIn addition to self-analysis of each principle, brainstorm with others ALTHOUGH IT'S MUCH EASIER TO POINT TO THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OTHERS ARE CREATING, TO TRULY GROW AS A LEADER OTHERS WANT TO FOLLOW, WE NEED TO WORK ON OUR OWN LEVEL OF IMPACT AWARENESS AND CONSCIOUSLY CONSIDER HOW OUR ACTIONS AND DECISIONS IMPACT THE LIVES OF OTHER PEOPLEwhenever possible to get their insight. For continued practice and growth, pay special attention to where gaps exist in your own impact awareness with each analysis. PRINCIPLE #1: Who will be impacted by this decision? Identify all the people who may be impacted, either positively or negatively. Also, identify anyone who may experience a residual or downstream impact. For example, clients, family members, or other teams in the organization. PRINCIPLE #2: What impact will this decision have on those identified? Identify the potential positive and negative impacts on all of the people who will be impacted. Will there be any unintended impact? For example, on clients, family members, or other teams in the organization.PRINCIPLE #3: What measures can you put into place to mitigate any of the negative impacts? What compromises or `gives' are possible? Identify any actions you can take prior to the final decision to minimize the impact. For example, what can you communicate ahead of time? What FAQs do you anticipate and how will you respond to those questions?PRINCIPLE #4: What support can you offer? What can you be transparent about when it comes to acknowledging impact? Identify and prepare for any appropriate forums for asking questions and sharing concerns so that those impacted feel heard. Are there any internal or external resources available for additional support? Although it's much easier to point to the negative impact others are creating, to truly grow as a leader others want to follow, we need to work on our own level of impact awareness and consciously consider how our actions and decisions impact the lives of other people.
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