Dome Insights is 100% HGC (Human Generated Content) where we explore various topics, from personal and professional growth to the intricacies of construction, including cutting-edge technology and industry best practices.

As we start the new year, it is a perfect time to pause, reflect, and set yourself up for success.

I am currently reading “Working with Emotional Intelligence,” by Daniel Goleman. It is a fantastic narrative on the importance of EQ (emotional intelligence) in addition to IQ (general intelligence) in the workplace, especially as one takes on more and more managerial and leadership roles.

While some may assume that EQ is the ability to read emotions and empathize with others, it actually starts with Self-Awareness – ‘Knowing one’s internal states, preferences, resources, and intuitions.” writes Goleman.

Self-Awareness doesn’t come easy.

One option for Self-Awareness is to leverage a common Business-Awareness tool called a SWOT Analysis – a brainstorming exercise to identify Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

This same process is equally (if not more) effective when applied to one’s self. At Dome, we encourage our people to do a Personal SWOT in support of developing annual goals, and when considering promotion.

The exercise asks the employee to deeply reflect and write out:
Strengths – Skills, behaviors, mindsets that come naturally, or that you are known for.
Weaknesses – Where do you struggle? Skill gaps? Limiting mindsets?
Opportunities (external) – Looking around, what can be leveraged for growth?
Threats (external) – What external factors may impede success?

Since this is purely for personal benefit, it is critical to be brutally honest and to think deeply. Sometimes it is necessary to start with a skill or behavior and ask yourself “Why is that?” several times over to uncover the root skill and/or behavior.

We all have blind spots or things we take for granted. It often helps to ask others for their perspective. Find an opportunity to discuss your SWOT with your supervisor in a one-on-one meeting.

If you want to put this into action, the panels below offer questions for each category to help develop your SWOT.

When complete, consider the following:
– How might Strengths be leveraged to pursue Opportunities? – How might an Opportunity turn a Weakness into a Strength?- How might the elimination of a Weakness negate a Threat?

Perhaps a personal SWOT will illuminate a more strategic path forward for you this year.