Internal self-awareness refers to how well we understand our own strengths, weaknesses, hopes, dreams values, etc. 

External self-awareness refers to how well we understand the impact we have on others, or how others see us.  

Why is this useful? In a learning space, self-awareness helps us know what skills we already have, where our gaps are, and what part of the learning is likely to be most useful to us. 

Self-awareness

Awareness of others refers to our understanding of other people’s strengths, weaknesses, hopes, dreams, values, etc.  

Why is this useful? It impacts learning by identifying how we can help others learn and grow, and it identifies who could help US learn what we need to learn. It’s also relevant for teams; effective team members are self-aware and also aware of others on their teams and how they can work effectively together. 

Awareness of others

Awareness of the situation or context refers to a nuanced understanding of what’s happening around us. This kind of awareness is important in situations like mergers, layoffs, and strategic or leadership change.  

Why is this useful? In learning, it helps focus a general skill more specifically. It is one thing to learn generally about setting a vision, but we’ll learn better if we have awareness about an upcoming shift in direction. 

Awareness of the situation or context

Awareness of future potential opportunities refers to understanding of solutions or developments beyond what’s obvious. Those with the ability to delay reacting and hold space for other possible options to emerge are often hold a long-term advantage.  

Why is this useful? In learning, it avoids our discounting topics and skills where we already know ‘the answer to understanding that we know ‘ONE answer’ and intentionally holding space for other answers to emerge. 

Awareness of future opportunities