A Blind Spot

You experience a blind spot when you assume that others see and feel what you do and think about things the same way. It happens when you fail to realise how fear and distrust change the way you interpret reality. You feel threatened yet fail to recognise it. When you judge what you are hearing you have stopped listening and lost the capacity to connect with empathy. You will swear blind that you heard what was said but cannot remember or repeat it.  You are creating the meaning as you listen to your own internal dialogue and feelings.

“I’ve learned that people forget what you said, people forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”  – Maya Angelou

Here are the 5 leadership misconceptions that hold leaders back because they do not get at what everyone cares about.  For example:

1. Purpose: Too few organizations operate purposefully. This adversely impacts people, profits, and growth. There needs to be a purpose that resonates within teams that is not just words. It has to be owned as something that everyone cares about deeply enough to commit to that is aligned with their beliefs.
2. Story: Too many companies think that they have an unusual and compelling story to tell that everyone wants to hear. But it is rarely well articulated or owned. It’s about closing the gap between what you say and what you mean and what you will do.  
3. Engagement: Little participation happens in most organisations or teams. The focus is on the numbers and performance.  They seldom really listen to what their people want to improve or even care. Emotional concerns are just as important at rational ones. Open Dialogue is needed to reach the hearts and minds of people. 
4. Trust: Too many leaders think that people won’t do the right thing unless what they are told what to do. This is because priorities are not made clear and people are not invited to use their strengths and embrace human variability rather than reduce it. Clear-headed leaders clarify hard lines, guidelines, and no lines to make the complex simple.
5. Truth: Let’s face it. Many leaders don’t want to hear someone else’s truth as it may not be theirs. They feel safer living in a world where what they think is right and think they know what is best for everyone. Teams need to feel like they are heard and leaders care. People want to know the truth. A lack of communication rules the day. Humour breaks down barriers.. People then feel safer. Make it a priority to create a truth-telling culture. Be committed and don’t waver. As Haudan and Berens share, “To thyself be true, and others will follow.”

Leaders at all levels need to understand their leadership strengths and weaknesses. Too many fear to see the truth. We all need to be aware of the leadership misconceptions that plague us every day to grow as leaders and bring our teams along as authentic leaders.