Module 2: Learning Content

1. Module Introduction

🟦 Module 2: Knowing Yourself as a Leader

Great leaders don’t start by copying others — they start by understanding themselves. In this module, you’ll explore your own strengths, values, and preferences, and see how these can shape your unique leadership style.

You’ll watch short videos, reflect on your personal experiences, and complete simple activities to identify what matters most to you as a leader.

By the end of this module, you’ll have a clearer sense of who you are as a leader and how your neurodivergent strengths can become part of your authentic leadership identity.

Estimated time: 40 minutes

🎯 Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Identify your personal strengths, values, and working preferences

• Recognise how these shape your leadership style

• Begin drafting your own “leadership identity”

2. Self-awareness

Self-awareness helps leaders play to their strengths, recognise areas for growth, and communicate their needs clearly.

Leaders who understand themselves are more likely to feel authentic, confident, and trusted by others.

Watch this video by Daniel Goleman about why self-awareness is key to successful leadership:

Video 2.

Reflective Question:
“What stood out to you in this video about self-awareness?”

3. Discovering Your Strengths

Leadership is not just about skills you learn; it’s also about the natural strengths you already have.

For many neurodivergent people, strengths can include:

• Noticing details others miss

• Thinking creatively or strategically

• Offering empathy and support

• Building structure and organisation

When you know your strengths, you can:

• Use them with confidence

• Communicate them clearly to others

• Build your leadership style around what you do best

Examples of Leadership Strengths

Here are some examples of how everyday strengths can become leadership qualities:

• Spotting patterns and details → Strong problem-solving

• Thinking about the big picture → Strategic planning

• Supporting and encouraging others → Empathetic leadership

Staying organised and structured → Reliable project management

Remember: leadership can be quiet, thoughtful, and behind the scenes as much as it can be bold and visible.

Reflect on Your Strengths

Take a moment to think about yourself:

• Which of these strengths feel most like you?

• Can you think of a time when one of these strengths helped you succeed?

Write your answers in your Leadership Journal (downloadable template provided).

4. Exploring Your Values

Why Values Matter

Values are the principles and beliefs that guide your decisions and behaviour.

For leaders, values:

• Provide a foundation for decision-making

• Help create consistency and trust

• Shape how others see and respond to you

When your leadership aligns with your values, it often feels more authentic and sustainable.

Common Leadership Values

Here are some examples of values that often show up in leadership:

• Fairness → treating people consistently and ethically

• Creativity → finding new solutions to challenges

• Teamwork → prioritising collaboration and shared success

• Independence → valuing autonomy and personal responsibility

• Innovation → driving change and improvement

• Honesty → being transparent and trustworthy

• Adaptability → adjusting well to new situations

Remember: Different leaders emphasise different values. There’s no single “right” set of values.

Your Personal Top Values

Reflection activity:

1. Look at the list of values above.

2. Write down the three values that matter most to you personally.

3. For each value, note an example of when you lived by that value in your work, studies, or personal life.

Use your Leadership Journal (downloadable template provided) to capture your thoughts.

Linking Values to Leadership

Think about this question:

“If someone described your leadership style in three words, would those words reflect your values?”

By making your values visible in how you lead, you increase trust and consistency—and create a leadership identity that feels true to who you are.

Optional Learning: Complete the VIA Character Strengths Survey and get to know your greatest strengths.

5. Strengths + Values = Leadership Style

Bringing Strengths and Values Together

You’ve now reflected on your strengths and your values. When you combine the two, you start to see the outline of your leadership style.

• Strengths are the things you naturally do well.

• Values are the principles that matter most to you.

• Leadership style is how those two show up in the way you influence, guide, and support others.

Example Combinations

Here are some examples of how strengths and values can combine into different leadership styles:

• Strength: Creativity + Value: Inclusion → Collaborative Innovator

• Strength: Organisation + Value: Fairness → Structured and Ethical Leader

• Strength: Empathy + Value: Honesty → Supportive and Transparent Leader

• Strength: Strategic Thinking + Value: Adaptability → Flexible Visionary

There are no “good” or “bad” combinations—only ones that reflect your authentic self.

Video Inspiration

Watch this short panel discussion:

Video 3.

• Which strengths and values mentioned resonate most with you?

• How could they shape your own leadership style?

Reflection Activity

Take a few minutes to connect your own strengths and values:

1. Write down your top 3 strengths (from previous chapter).

2. Write down your top 3 values (from previous chapter).

3. Try combining one strength with one value.

4. Describe what kind of leader this points to.

👉 Record your answers in your Leadership Journal (downloadable template provided).

Linking to Leadership Identity

Your leadership style is the first step toward your leadership identity.

This isn’t about fitting into someone else’s mould. It’s about understanding who you are, what you stand for, and how you want to lead.

Authentic leaders inspire trust—not because they are perfect, but because they are consistent with their strengths and values.

Next steps: If you feel you've absorbed the module content, why not take the module quiz (here) to confirm your knowledge and understanding.