A Minute with Mark – The Blind Spot Bonus

Click Here for the YouTube Video of the Blind Spot Bonus

Here is the transcript.

Blind spots. They’re easy to see in others and nearly impossible to see in ourselves. That’s the very definition. We’re blind to them.

I joined a CEO peer group to become a better leader. I wanted to learn about culture, strategy, hiring, execution, all the fundamentals, but something happened that I didn’t expect.

The group got to know me. Not just the professional version of me, but the whole me. Over time, they started to notice patterns, repeating patterns I couldn’t see because I was blind to them.

For months, I described a problem with a staff member. And for months, they offered thoughtful suggestions. I never acted upon them. I’d come back with the same problem, ignore the same advice, and start the cycle again.

Finally, someone took a chance and said, “Are you blind? Why aren’t you doing anything we suggest?” I finally saw it. I’d been blind to the consequences of my conflict avoidance.

Blind spots aren’t uncovered by more knowledge. They’re uncovered when someone cares enough to point them out. But doing so is uncomfortable and most won’t take that risk.

Great peer groups will take that risk. My group did. They trusted me and cared enough to speak the truth.

That’s the blind spot bonus.

Comments