1. A Broad Summary Overview of Your Self-Concept

Over the last few weeks, I took several assessments, including Cattell’s 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF), an Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire, the ENTJ Personality Profile from 16Personalities, and the Big Five Personality Test. Each provided unique insights into my strengths, areas for growth, and the interplay between my personality traits and my approach to leadership and teamwork. Reflecting on my personality assessments has given me a clearer understanding of who I am as an individual and a leader.

The 16PF assessment highlighted my tendency toward dominance and social boldness. Scoring high in dominance indicates that I am assertive, comfortable taking charge, and guiding others. My social boldness also suggests confidence in social environments, supporting my leadership abilities. However, my lower scores in sensitivity and vigilance reveal areas for improvement. I may overlook subtle emotional cues or be overly trusting, which could make me vulnerable in certain situations. My emotional stability score reflects my ability to remain composed, which is a significant strength in high-stress environments.

The Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire highlighted the importance of self-awareness and empathy in effective leadership. While I am confident in my abilities, I need to work on managing emotions under stress and cultivating empathy. These skills are vital for understanding others’ perspectives and improving relationships, which will help me become a more balanced leader.

The personality profile from 16Personalities describes me as a “Commander”, ambitious, strategic, and focused on achieving goals. I am comfortable taking charge, but I need to improve my emotional awareness to avoid overlooking the needs of others. My directness can be effective but may come across as insensitive, so developing empathy and patience is essential for becoming a well-rounded leader.

The Big Five Personality Test provided additional context. My low neuroticism score suggests that I am calm and composed, while my high extraversion score indicates sociability and energy. However, my low agreeableness suggests a focus on achieving goals over maintaining social harmony, and my low openness to experience indicates a preference for practical solutions.

As an ex-professional golfer and now an IT Project Manager, reflecting on these personality assessments has been informative. The results confirm my self-perception as someone who is driven, strategic, and comfortable leading others. Still, reflecting on this, I can see that some of my best traits as an athlete are some of my worst traits as a person. The emphasis on improving emotional intelligence and empathy challenges me to rethink my social approach, particularly in a team environment. Balancing my ambition with improved emotional awareness will be critical to success in my current position.

As a professional golfer, I learned to thrive under pressure, stay focused, and maintain discipline daily to succeed, qualities that have translated well into my role as an IT Project Manager. These questionnaires confirm that my strategic thinking and resilience are strengths that I still use from my athletic career. However, the need to develop empathy and emotional awareness is an area I didn’t focus on as much during my golf career. Several research results prove that high-achieving athletes are those who have personality traits such as being achievement-oriented, disciplined, and persistent. (Ali Maksum, 2023)

Speaking with my family first and asking how they see the result from the above tests and do they agree or challenge the results. My colleagues appreciate my decisiveness and strategic mindset but also agree that working on empathy would help me connect better with the team as, at times, I can be more ‘work orientated” when working on projects and sometimes have a ‘tunnel vision’. My family sees the results as a true reflection of my driven nature and how hard I work on things, they again agree my empathy is something that needs to be worked on as at times I can be ‘callous’ and ‘narcissistic’ at times, but also see that at times when I was working towards a professional career I had to have be in that mindset daily to succeed, now that I am retired it is now a perfect time to work on this and as an aspiring project manager this will help in my future career.

More strengths of mine that I can see from myself and the assessments are leadership, strategic thinking, emotional stability, and social confidence. These traits make me effective in driving projects forward and leading teams. These traits make me drive projects effectively and take the lead with teams. On the other hand, I have to develop more empathy and emotional awareness. This understanding of other people’s needs and making changes in my style of communicating would turn me into a much more effective leader. Focusing on how to enhance one’s emotional intelligence, I believe, would provide an impulse and support for others.

I was looking at more of my core strengths, such as strategic thinking, assertiveness, and emotional stability. These qualities are essential for effective team leadership. My high scores in dominance and social boldness from the 16PF, as well as the ENTJ traits, reinforce my ability to make confident decisions and lead with a strategic focus. Additionally, my low neuroticism score from the Big Five shows my ability to stay calm under pressure, which is vital for maintaining stability in challenging situations.

The results underlined some important development areas, especially empathy and emotional awareness. Low scores on sensitivity and agreeableness suggest improvement in understanding and getting along with others on an emotional level. It is through the Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire that I now realise successful leadership is not only about achieving results but equally about the understanding and inspiration of people. Sometimes, I am direct and results-oriented to a fault, sacrificing in my ability to develop a cohesive, supportive team environment. This stems from playing a sport that is very much individual-based, and while surrounded by a team when on the course, it was mostly just me.

• The Deep Dive

A core developmental need identified in my assessments is improving my empathy, which is crucial for my career as a project manager, particularly in leading teams. The emotional intelligence questionnaire highlighted empathy as a vital component of effective leadership, enabling a leader to understand and respond to the emotions of team members. This awareness can foster better relationships and enhance team cohesion, which is critical for project success.

My Big Five results also underlined low agreeableness; hence, I am driven to accomplish goals at the possible expense of social harmony. One, therefore, needs to work on improving the ability to consider other people’s needs and modify his behaviour correspondingly to ensure an environment that is good and conducive to working. Motivational, strategic, and results-oriented, as an ENTJ, my direct approach can sometimes border on being too blunt or insensitive at times, which could discourage other team members and affect their productivity negatively.

Empathy is essential for effective project management because managing a team involves understanding the diverse needs, motivations, and challenges of individual members. It helps in building trust, increasing engagement, and ensuring that each member feels valued. When team members believe their leader genuinely cares about them, they are more likely to be motivated, collaborative, and productive. Empathy also aids in conflict resolution, as understanding different perspectives can lead to fairer and more effective solutions.

Improving empathy would not only help me connect more effectively with my team but also enable me to create a supportive environment where everyone can thrive. This is particularly important in high-pressure projects, where emotional support and recognition can significantly impact team resilience and performance. Being assertive yet empathetic will enable me to better motivate my team, inspire loyalty, and achieve success through collaboration rather than mere direction.

Empathy is a key component of emotional intelligence, which has been widely studied for its impact on leadership, team dynamics, and decision-making. Goleman introduced the concept of emotional intelligence, arguing that effective leadership involves not only technical skills but also the ability to understand and manage emotions. Empathy enables leaders to connect with their team members on a deeper level, leading to improved morale, greater trust, and enhanced team performance. (Goleman, 1996)

In project management, empathy significantly influences project outcomes. Clarke from the School of Management, University of Southampton, found that emotionally intelligent project managers who demonstrate empathy are better at handling team conflicts, maintaining motivation, and fostering a collaborative environment. (Clarke, 2010) These factors directly impact project success by promoting higher engagement and reducing turnover. Empathy also supports effective communication, which is crucial in managing stakeholder expectations and ensuring team alignment with project goals. (Mülller & Turner, 2010)

Empathy can be evaluated through tools such as 360-degree feedback assessments or behavioural observation by peers and supervisors. In my role, developing empathy will improve my ability to resolve conflicts, support my team emotionally, and facilitate better collaboration. Research suggests that empathetic leaders are more effective in conflict resolution, building team cohesion, and enhancing performance outcomes. From my research, empathy is among the most critical leadership traits, having a great impact on the outcomes of projects entrusted to a given leader, the motivation of the team, and, finally, leadership effectiveness. As I focus on building empathy, I want to create a positive collaborative environment that fuels project success and develops a strong, working team where their growth and well-being will be fostered accordingly.

Developing empathy is essential for me as a project manager because it directly affects my ability to lead effectively, particularly in managing teams through complex projects. Empathy allows me to connect with my team members on an emotional level, fostering a sense of trust and psychological safety. When team members feel that their concerns are understood and valued, they are more likely to remain engaged, motivated, and committed to the project. This, in turn, can lead to better overall team performance and a positive work environment.

Empathy is also crucial in navigating conflicts, which are inevitable in any team setting. Having an understanding of all perspectives will make it possible to confront conflicts constructively and fairly, making sure solutions are balanced and considerate of everyone’s needs. This approach not only resolves immediate issues but also strengthens team relationships in the long term. Showing empathy empowers me to notice and understand when team members struggle with motivation, which encourages me to give them help in those aspects when they need it before the challenges damage either their productivity or their well-being.

Moreover, as projects become increasingly complex and involve diverse stakeholders, the ability to understand different viewpoints is invaluable. Empathy helps me communicate more effectively with stakeholders by acknowledging their needs, concerns, and motivations. This understanding fosters collaboration and ensures that everyone is aligned with the project’s goals, reducing resistance and improving outcomes.

This will also further balance my natural assertiveness, which at times can come off as blunt or goal-focused. With stronger empathetic skills, I could also develop a leading style that was both decisive and considerate, thus creating a more harmonious and productive team environment. Ultimately, it is with empathy that I will be able to become a more adaptable and effective leader, inspiring and guiding my team in times of trial while keeping strong, positive relationships.

To improve empathy, I will implement a behavioural plan focused on daily practice and feedback. First, I will actively listen during team meetings, ensuring I give my full attention and avoid interrupting. I will also ask open-ended questions to understand team members’ perspectives better and show genuine interest in their challenges. To gain insights into my empathetic behaviour, I will seek regular feedback from colleagues through informal check-ins and 360-degree feedback assessments.

I will make a conscious effort to observe body language and emotional cues during conversations, especially when team members are facing challenges. This will help me better understand unspoken emotions. I will also focus on offering support by proactively checking in with team members who may be struggling, helping or simply listening without judgment. Additionally, I will practice summarising what others share to ensure I understand their perspective accurately. Keeping a record of these interactions will allow me to identify patterns and refine my approach, reinforcing consistent growth in empathy.

Plan of Action

My primary goal is to significantly enhance my empathetic abilities within the next six months. This goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART). To break it down further, I aim to improve active listening, emotional awareness, and supportiveness toward team members. I will gather feedback from at least three colleagues every month to gauge improvement in my empathy and track weekly reflections in a journal to monitor progress. I will set aside at least 15 minutes daily for empathy-related activities such as practising active listening, reflecting on my interactions and journaling this as much as I can. Empathy is critical for team cohesion and project success, making this goal highly relevant to my role as a project manager. I aim to achieve significant improvement in empathy by the end of six months, as indicated by positive feedback from colleagues and observable changes in team dynamics. Research suggests that empathy is a crucial aspect of emotional intelligence, which directly influences team performance and leadership success. (Goleman, 1996)

This action plan involves giving at least 15 minutes every day to practise active listening with my team, minimising distractions, and summarising points to ensure that I understand everything. Active listening has been found to enhance interpersonal trust and reduce misunderstandings in team environments (Itzchakov & Kluger, 2017). Regularly, I shall hold one-on-one check-ins with team members to understand their problems and offer the necessary support, ensuring the conversations are driven by empathy. I shall maintain a daily empathy journal where I will log interactions, describe strengths, and note actions to be improved upon. I also seek to get feedback monthly from three colleagues on my empathetic behaviour based on their contributions to make adjustments in my approach and focus areas.

I will make sure to share my goals with my team and close colleagues and ask them for constructive feedback related to my empathetic behaviour. I will also create a mentorship relationship with the manager, who is very empathetic and someone great to learn how to lead a team with nearly 20 years of experience it. He will be great as he can give me constructive feedback and hold me accountable. I will also create an opportunity through which my team members can be open with their feelings and perspectives, which will further facilitate my growth in empathy by giving me more opportunities to understand and respond to their needs.

I will evaluate success by tracking several clear indicators. These include positive feedback from at least 80% of my colleagues regarding my empathetic behaviour, an increase in team engagement and morale as observed during meetings, and fewer instances of unresolved team conflicts. Empathetic leadership has been linked to increased job satisfaction and team cohesion, according to studies. (Kellet, et al., 2006) I will also measure success through consistent, positive reflections in my empathy journal, indicating growth in my empathetic interactions. Success will be achieved if I notice sustained improvements in team cohesion and my ability to understand and respond to team members’ emotions effectively.

Conclusion

In summary, my journey through various personality assessments has provided valuable insights into my strengths and areas for growth as a leader and project manager. I have recognised that my core competencies, such as strategic thinking, assertiveness, and emotional stability, serve as powerful assets that enable me to effectively lead and drive results. However, these assessments have also highlighted the importance of empathy and emotional intelligence as crucial elements for well-rounded leadership.

My strengths in decisiveness, resilience, and strategic focus have helped me thrive under pressure, both as a professional golfer and now as an IT Project Manager. However, I acknowledge that enhancing my empathetic skills is vital for fostering team cohesion, trust, and collaboration. The ability to understand and respond to my team members’ needs will not only improve my leadership effectiveness but also create a supportive and motivating environment for everyone involved.

My action plan is designed to cultivate empathy through practical steps such as active listening, emotional awareness, and regular feedback. By committing to these daily practices and seeking input from colleagues, I am confident that I can enhance my emotional intelligence and grow as a more considerate, adaptable leader.

Empathy is not only about being understanding but also about strengthening relationships and enabling others to thrive. As I work towards improving this crucial aspect of my leadership style, I aim to create a balance between achieving goals and ensuring my team feels valued and supported. This journey toward emotional growth will undoubtedly help me become a more effective and inspiring leader, capable of achieving success through meaningful connections and collaboration.