Self-awareness

Starting off, this may seem like the hardest aspect. We don’t constantly hold up a mirror to ourselves, and we don’t know what we don’t know. Self-awareness is our ability to recognise our own emotions, especially in the heat of the moment, and understand how they influence our actions in different situations. Surprisingly, 95% of people think they are self-aware, but only 10–15% actually are.

Ways to increase self-awareness: Daily reflection, identifying and naming our emotions, and regularly seeking feedback from others.

Self-management

Building on self-awareness, self-management is the ability to regulate our emotional responses and navigate situations positively. It’s about controlling impulses, staying flexible, and prioritising long-term goals over momentary reactions.

Ways to improve self-management: Pause and think before acting (especially in stressful moments), and regulate stress through activities such as exercising, drawing, or listening to music.

Social awareness

Social awareness is the ability to perceive and understand other people’s emotions without letting our own feelings interfere. It allows us to sense what others are thinking or feeling, even if we don’t share the same perspective.

Ways to enhance social awareness: Practice active listening, observe non-verbal cues, and consider situations from others’ perspectives.

Social management

This builds on the previous 3 areas and focuses on using our emotional awareness to manage interactions, strengthen relationships, and handle conflicts effectively.

Ways to strengthen relationship management: Invest time in our relationships, resolve conflicts constructively, and practice empathy consistently.

Contributed by Faith Phua for Break The Wheel.