The Power of Self Awareness: Why Understanding How You’re Wired—and How Others Differ—Is a Gamechanger for Women Entrepreneurs
- GLENIS M. MOSS
- 8 hours ago
- 4 min read
In today’s fast-paced entrepreneurial world, women are encouraged to master strategy, branding, productivity, and mindset. Yet one foundational skill continues to be underestimated—self-awareness.
Not the surface-level awareness that comes from personality quizzes or inspirational quotes, but deep behavioral self-awareness rooted in science—understanding why you think, communicate, decide, and lead the way you do… and why others often operate very differently.
After decades in science as a nuclear engineer, followed by years coaching women leaders and entrepreneurs, I have become convinced of this truth:
Self-awareness is not a soft skill. It is a strategic advantage.
One of the most effective, research-supported frameworks for developing that awareness—both of yourself and others—is the DISC Model of Human Behavior.
Why Self-Awareness Is Essential for Women in Business
Women entrepreneurs wear many hats: visionary, leader, marketer, problem-solver, caregiver, mentor. Often, we push ourselves to be everything to everyone—then wonder why communication breaks down, teams feel misaligned, clients don’t respond as expected, or partnerships feel unnecessarily difficult.
What if the problem isn’t what you’re doing—but how you’re wired?
True self-awareness allows women to:
Lead with confidence instead of comparison
Communicate without constant friction
Make decisions aligned with natural strengths
Stop misinterpreting others’ intentions
Build teams, partnerships, and relationships that actually work
Without this awareness, even highly capable women can unknowingly self-sabotage—overworking, over-explaining, avoiding conflict, or expecting others to think and act exactly as they do.
A Scientific Perspective on Human Behavior
As a nuclear engineer by training, I was taught to respect systems, patterns, and data. Human behavior is no different.
While people are complex, behavior follows patterns—patterns that can be observed, measured, and understood. That is why behavioral frameworks like DISC have stood the test of time in leadership development, organizational psychology, education, and coaching.
DISC does not measure intelligence, values, or spirituality. Instead, it focuses on observable behavior—how people:
Respond to problems
Interact with others
Approach tasks and decisions
Communicate under pressure
At its core, DISC answers two critical questions:
Why do I behave the way I do?
Why do others behave so differently—and how can I work with that rather than against it?
Understanding the DISC Model of Human Behavior
DISC identifies four primary behavioral tendencies. Every person has all four, but in different proportions. No style is better than another—each has strengths and blind spots.
D – Direct
Focused on results, action, and control. Strengths: decisive, bold, visionary, goal-oriented Challenges: may appear impatient, defiant or overlook emotions
I – Influencer
Focused on people, connection, and communication. Strengths: persuasive, optimistic, relational, Involved Challenges: may overcommit or avoid details
S – Supportive
Focused on harmony, stability, and support. Strengths: loyal, empathetic, consistent, Steady Challenges: may resist change, can’t say no
C – Conscientious
Focused on accuracy, logic, and quality.
Strengths: analytical, strategic, competent, detail-oriented, cautious Challenges: may overthink, perceived as cold or wait for perfection Understanding these styles helps women stop judging themselves—and others—and start leading with wisdom.
Why DISC Is Especially Powerful for Women Entrepreneurs
Women are often socialized to adapt, accommodate, and overextend— sometimes at the expense of authenticity. DISC provides permission and clarity.
When women understand their behavioral wiring:
They stop trying to be “like her”
They build businesses aligned with their strengths
They communicate more effectively with clients and teams
They stop taking differences personally
Instead of asking, “Why doesn’t she get it?”
They learn to ask, “How is she wired—and how can I meet her where she is?”
That shift alone transforms leadership, collaboration, and confidence.
Self-Awareness Leads to Other-Awareness
Many conflicts in business have nothing to do with competence or character—but with misaligned communication styles.
A fast-paced leader may frustrate a stability-focused team member. A big-picture visionary may clash with a detail-driven partner.
Without behavioral awareness, these differences create tension. With DISC, they create strategic flexibility.
From Engineering to Empowerment
My journey from nuclear engineering to coaching may seem unconventional, but the common thread has always been this:
Understanding systems—whether physical or human—leads to better outcomes.
I’ve watched brilliant women doubt themselves, misinterpret others, or exhaust themselves trying to be someone they’re not. When they finally understand how they are wired—and how others differ—everything changes. Confidence increases. Communication improves. Leadership becomes lighter.
I’ve watched brilliant women doubt themselves, misinterpret others, or exhaust themselves trying to be someone they’re not.
Self-awareness doesn’t limit you.
It liberates you.
A Call to Women Entrepreneurs
If you are building a business, leading a team, or navigating complex relationships, I encourage you to invest in behavioral self-awareness.
Not to put yourself in a box—but to:
Lead with clarity
Communicate with wisdom
Honor differences without frustration
Build success that is sustainable and aligned
Because when women understand how they are designed to operate, they stop fighting themselves—and start leading with confidence, purpose, and grace.
An Invitation to Go Deeper
Invest in the one relationship you’ll never outgrow—the relationship you have with yourself.
If this article resonated with you and you’re curious about how your natural wiring impacts your communication, leadership, and energy, I invite you to schedule a complimentary 30-minute Self-Awareness Clarity Session.
In this private conversation, we will:
Explore which personality type is your main trait (D, I,S or C)
Uncover where you experience the most friction in your work or business
Recognize behavioral patterns that may be contributing to stress or burnout
Discern whether deeper self-awareness tools—such as a DISC Profile Assessment, training, or coaching—would support your next season of growth
This is not a sales call.
It’s a clarity conversation—designed to help you better understand how you’re wired and what might help you lead with greater ease and confidence.
Clarity doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from understanding yourself better.
Clarity doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from understanding yourself better.
A Final Word to Women Entrepreneurs
When women understand how they are designed to operate, they stop fighting themselves—and start leading with confidence, purpose, and grace.
And that is where extraordinary relationships—and extraordinary leadership—begin.
Meet the expert:
Coach Glenis is a Certified DISC Profile Analyst, Certified Human Behavior Consultant, KBA Certified Coach, former nuclear engineer, and published scientific author. She specializes in helping women entrepreneurs and leaders gain clarity, confidence, and extraordinary relationships through science-based self-awareness.
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