"True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us" (Socrates) 

"To thine own self be true" (Shakespeare)

Much of our journey in life, whether through families, school, employment, business,  relationships or even retirement can be enhanced if we know and understand ourselves. 

Alignment of our personality, values and behaviours with what we do and how we interact may lead to a much more fulfilling and less stressful life.

I see this with my coaching clients.  I have seen it with myself.  Its why I like to understand people, and them to understand themselves, before we work on their goals.

The tools at the right are just that - tools to help us understand ourselves and how we relate to others.  I see some sort of order of personal understanding which to some extent follows our employment/business/life path:

1. Personality  - knowing you and your way of gaining energy, gathering information, making decisions and dealing with the outer world.
2. Work Behaviours - how you take your natural personality profile and adjust it to the demands of a work environment
3. Emotional Intelligence - how you use various emotional and social capabilities, competencies and skills tp influence your ability to succeed in coping with environmental demands and pressures  
4. Leadership Style - the combination of styles (constructive, passive/defensive and aggressive/defensive) you use in managing and leading others  
5. Retirement Transition - how you prepare for the "retirement" from one role into another

I encourage you to explore the various links at the left on these aspects to help build your self understanding.