Like an iceberg, there are parts of yourself that are conscious and visible and other parts that are unconscious and hidden. The expression “tip of the iceberg” suggests that you only recognize a portion of your persona and that there is much more below the surface to get to know.
Turning inward allows you to explore who you are and want to be, and the Enneagram assessment can help you pinpoint your underlying motivational needs, i.e., why you do what you do and how you express yourself.
What often gets hidden or masked from yourself and others are your core needs.
Your core needs, conscious or unconscious, influence how you think, feel, and act to adapt and stay safe. How you react when your needs and expectations are unmet is primarily impacted by your instinctual patterns and beliefs about what’s acceptable regarding emotions, behavior, and social norms.
Working with your Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic way to access multiple active parts in your system. During an IFS session, you get to know these protective parts of you that are proactively managing how you show up and handle life.
Further, you learn how to connect with your core Self, which encompasses your best qualities, and expand your intuitive capacity to distinguish which aspects are looking to change and which are resisting.
Align your inner and outer worlds to create brand identity harmony.
Just as with your biological needs, you may become uncomfortable and anxious if your psychological needs are not being met. Understanding your system—physically and emotionally—can help you decipher what may be missing, out of sync, or needing a refresh or reboot.
To stay true to the hidden parts of your personal brand, here are five ways to become more attentive and supportive.
#1 Assess your mindset.
Cultivating a healthier way of being means having a more mindful approach and treating yourself with kindness and compassion. By remaining present, you can be more aware, listen to your gut, and balance your instinctive tendencies. Integrating “positive expectations” into your brand demonstrates your propensity to be optimistic, where you look toward the future with hope. When you believe desired outcomes are attainable you’ll feel empowered to take the steps needed to accomplish whatever you have in mind and is within your control.
#2 Express yourself authentically.
The Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation (FIRO®) assessment showcases your interpersonal needs and how you express those needs with others. William Schutz, Ph.D., developed this instrument on the theory that beyond your survival needs, such as food, shelter, and warmth, you have specific relational needs—inclusion/involvement, control/influence, and affection/connection—that strongly motivate you. It’s easy to send mixed messages when how you behave toward others differs significantly from how you want them to act toward you. Being clearer and more direct while considering your tone, body language, and mannerisms can help you come across more authentically and foster trust.
#3 Monitor your energy and vibes.
Because your internal system is easily impacted when you’re in relationships with others, it’s unrealistic to maintain a high-vibe or peaceful state at all times. However, the more alert you are about your current state, the more you can identify what you need moment-by-moment, creating space to self-regulate and deploy strategies that equalize your system. The Sparketype® created by Jonathan Fields, can assist in discovering the work that energizes you while identifying the activities that deplete your energy. Understanding and regulating your feelings, handling stress, delaying impulses, and managing the ups and downs of your “emotional waves” are at the heart of emotional maturity. When you’re emotionally mature, you take responsibility for your emotions and feelings so that you don’t spread negativity.
#4 Reframe your focus of attention.
When you’re aware of what you tend to tune into and your innate inclinations, you can take a more purposeful approach, manage your personal brand as you’d like it to be, and expand beyond your typical fixations or movements. The iEQ9 Enneagram assessment looks at what’s behind your personality and ego, specifically the type’s idealized self-image, worldview, motivation, and focus of attention. When you realize that you’re over-identifying with your typical type of pattern, you can take a step back to create space from automatic reactions and objectively reexamine your needs along with your beliefs and values.
#5 Step into your confidence and self-worth.
Confidence levels are dynamic and can change depending on your views, circumstances, and the influence others have over you. Your self-worth, self-esteem, and self-image create patterns, habits, and mental images around how you talk and treat yourself. One example is your capacity to accept and respect all aspects of yourself. Fostering an intra-personal connection is a prerequisite to trusting yourself, and your human design can provide insight into who you are underneath all of your roles and personas. Discerning the real from the perceived enables you to be more objective, reclaim your authority, and boost your confidence and impact.
Your attitude toward your brand makes all the difference.
With focus and intention, you can become more self-aware and mindful, using what you learn to make minor adjustments to improve your well-being and magnify your brand.
Activate your best with those around you.
Self-leadership is about getting to know yourself better and applying that knowledge to how you connect with others. As a lifelong student, certified professional coach, and consultant, activating the best in others through self-leadership, interpersonal relations, and team dynamics are passions of mine. My approach is personalized and customized, tapping into various assessments, disciplines, modalities, and techniques. Also, check out my “Micro & Mini Service Offerings” and try one session to inspire you. Sign up solo or with another person or group to work on a specific exercise or activity and split the costs! Contact me to get started.