The Mirror Doesn’t Lie: A Reflection on Self-Awareness in Leadership

As a child, I used the bathroom sink as a measuring stick for growth. I remember dragging a little stool over just to reach the faucet and the tiny fish-themed Dixie cups my parents kept by the sink. I’d stretch onto my tiptoes, trying to catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, sometimes just the top of my head or a sliver of my forehead.

Day by day, I checked to see if I could see a little more. First it was my eyes, then my nose, and eventually, one day, I could see my whole face, and then my shoulders, chest, and arms. I had finally arrived.

I loved the mirror because it gave me proof that I was growing.

But I’ve learned over time that not everyone shares that love. In fact, studies show that one in ten people actively avoid mirrors. Even more striking, 71% of people who do look in the mirror describe themselves using negative terms.

That doesn’t surprise me anymore. For many, the mirror is not a place of growth; it’s a place of critique, discomfort, even shame.

But before you assume that my love for the mirror is rooted in ego or vanity, let me explain: The mirror is the only place I can evaluate parts of myself I cannot see on my own. I can’t see my hair, the sides of my face, or my expression when I’m not thinking about it. Just because I can’t see something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Just because it’s hard to look at doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be aware of it.

That’s a truth every leader must embrace.

Leadership requires clarity, and clarity begins with honest reflection.

Many leaders hit plateaus, not because they’ve lost ambition, but because they’ve lost perspective. Burnout, overwhelm, routine, they all cloud our vision. When this happens, it’s usually a sign we haven’t looked in the mirror in a while. We haven’t paused to ask the tough questions or evaluate our actions with honesty.

The first step toward purposeful leadership is brutal self-honesty.

That means not sweeping discomfort under the rug. Not excusing toxic habits or avoiding the aspects of leadership that make us uncomfortable. If you want to grow, you have to face yourself.

Here’s the hard truth: we are often our own worst critics. We nitpick, compare, and diminish ourselves. And today’s culture doesn’t make that any easier.

So here’s my challenge for you: Go to the mirror.

Look at yourself, not just your flaws but your strengths.

Ask:

• What energizes me?

• What drains me?

• What part of my leadership am I avoiding because it’s uncomfortable to face?

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The more aware you are, the more intentional you can be. Growth doesn’t happen by accident; it starts with reflection.

And the mirror? It’s not your enemy. It’s your starting line.