The Blind Spots in Our Leadership Journey

By John Longmire
In our pursuit of excellence as leaders, we often focus on developing our strengths and improving our skills. But what about the blind spots that we may be overlooking?
These are the areas where our weaknesses lie, the areas that we may not even be aware of. They can be difficult to identify, but they can have a significant impact on our effectiveness as leaders.
One of the biggest blind spots that we can have is our own biases. We all have biases, and they can influence our decisions and actions in ways that we may not realize. For example, we may be more likely to promote people who are similar to us, or we may be more likely to give credit to people who we like.
Another blind spot that we can have is our own assumptions. We often make assumptions about people and situations without realizing it. These assumptions can lead us to make poor decisions or to miss opportunities. For example, we may assume that someone is not capable of doing a certain job, or we may assume that a certain project will be successful.
It is important to be aware of our blind spots so that we can take steps to address them. One way to do this is to ask for feedback from others. Feedback can help us to identify our blind spots and to develop strategies for overcoming them.
We can also try to be more mindful of our own biases and assumptions. When we are making decisions, we should take the time to consider all of the available information and to challenge our own assumptions.
Addressing our blind spots can be a challenging process, but it is an essential one for leaders who want to be effective. By being aware of our blind spots and taking steps to address them, we can improve our decision-making, build stronger relationships, and achieve greater success.
Here are a few tips for overcoming your blind spots:
1. Ask for feedback. Feedback from others can help you to identify your blind spots and to develop strategies for overcoming them.
2. Be mindful of your biases. When you are making decisions, take the time to consider all of the available information and to challenge your own assumptions.
3. Seek out diverse perspectives. Spending time with people who are different from you can help you to broaden your perspective and to see things from a different point of view.
4. Be open to change. Overcoming your blind spots requires you to be open to change. Be willing to adjust your behavior and to try new things.
5. Embrace failure. Failure is a natural part of the learning process. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, and learn from them.