Highlights from Chapter 2 – “The Case for Presence”

“…we are oblivious to our obliviousness. Even though 95 percent of people think they’re self-aware, only 10 to 15 percent actually are. Kathryn Schulz describes the former demographic well: “A whole lot of us go through life assuming that we are basically right, basically all the time, about basically everything.”7 Montgomery, Daniel. How to Be Present in an Absent World (p. 22). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

In a study of seventy-two senior executives, the American Management Association found self-awareness to be “the strongest predictor of overall success.”11Montgomery, Daniel. How to Be Present in an Absent World (p. 24). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Present leaders are emotionally and socially self-aware. They understand themselves and others. They don’t just create high-power teams; they engage their employees on a human level in order to draw out their absolute best. Montgomery, Daniel. How to Be Present in an Absent World (p. 25). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Personal Reflection: I think we are all oblivious to our obliviousness to one degree or another. This is one of the many reasons we desperately need authentic community. We need people in our lives to lovingly call out our lack of self-awareness when necessary. We will never be our best or bring out the best in others if we are not self-aware.

How might this truth be reflected in your marriage? In your parenting? In your leadership?

To whom have you given permission to lovingly call out your lack of self-awareness? Are you willing to receive this correction? What are the consequences if you are not?