Acknowledging how we feel and the thoughts and emotions that are associated with what we are dealing with is very important and a critical part of being the observer.  This is where honesty with ourselves plays such an important role.

Consider the statement you cannot dislike something in another person that you do not dislike in yourself.  This is a very tough statement that requires significant reflection for leaders.  It takes courage to get honest about the things we try to avoid knowing about ourselves.  But it’s only when we become aware of something that we have the ability to make the shift. 

As some point in every leader’s career, they deal with unwanted and undesired events, personality conflicts, and poor interpersonal relationships.  The challenges we face are life’s most effective teachers and it is through the difficult times that we show our true leadership capabilities.  Having a strong emotional awareness is fundamental to great leadership.

Recognize that the relationship you have with yourself is the most important relationship and that this is where your focus must be if you are to become the best you can be, connected to your true nature. Becoming the observer is not hard to learn how to do, but it does take commitment and resolve in knowing that you absolutely have control over what you think about and your resulting feelings and emotions.