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Purpose – The aim of this study is to explore the subjective personal experiences of individuals that have chosen to take a personal development course focused on increased self-awareness and self-leadership.

Design/methodology/approach – A phenomenological study was performed. The data included self-reported reflections collected during an educational course and a focus group interview two months after course completion. This included data from 14 individuals, 6 men and 8 women, working in various civilian contexts.

Findings – Self-awareness and self-leadership behaviors were identified with main and subsequent subthemes. Self-awareness included the following main theme: (1) Role of reflection, including the following subthemes: (a) tool for understanding one’s own needs, (b) creates awareness of change needed, (c) tool for problem solving and (d) creates awareness of avoidance behaviors. Self-leadership behaviors included the following main and subthemes: (1) changes in private life including: (a) changes for others, (b) conscious presence in private relationships, (c) increased compassion for oneself; and (2) changes in working life: (a) increased acceptance of others, (b) courage to speak up and (c) selectivity over work tasks.

Research limitations/implications – A qualitative approach was used; thus, limiting generalized findings.Practical implications – The findings highlight individuals’ perceptions over their development process and what role the course had in the process.

Originality/value – The main contribution of the current study is outlining how and in what way individuals perceived a course on self-reflection and self-leadership influenced their self-development. The results outline specific areas of commonality that individuals believe the course contributed to change despite various work backgrounds. Opportunity for time to reflect oneself and in small groups with individuals unrelated to one’s usual background may be beneficial for offering a unique way to gain awareness of areas of meaningful changein individuals’ private and worklife.