The 3 Leadership Blind Spots That Sabotage Your Growth
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Download the free Leadership Clarity Journal to assess, reflect, and start growing with intention.
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In leadership, what you don’t see is often what holds you back
Blind spots silently erode your impact, create friction with your team, and cap your potential. Even experienced leaders fall into these traps.
Here are three of the most common leadership blind spots I’ve seen—and how to overcome them before they stall your growth:
1. Overvaluing Competence, Undervaluing Connection
Many leaders believe that being the smartest person in the room is enough. They focus on technical expertise, data-driven decisions, and outcomes.
But leadership isn't just about being right—it’s about being relatable.
The Cost:
Your team may respect you, but they won’t feel safe or inspired. You’ll see low initiative, quiet disengagement, or collaboration breakdowns.
The Fix:
Prioritize emotional intelligence. Build psychological safety. Ask more questions—not just for answers, but to genuinely understand your people. Leadership is relational.
2. Confusing Busyness with Impact
You’re in back-to-back meetings. Your calendar is packed. You’re constantly reacting, solving, responding.
You feel productive—but deep down, you know you’re not moving the needle.
The Cost:
Burnout. Strategic drift. No time for reflection or long-term thinking. You become the bottleneck instead of the leader.
The Fix:
Ruthlessly prioritize. Identify your top three leadership goals each week.
Delegate anything someone else can do 80% as well as you. Protect white space for reflection and strategy.
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3. Avoiding Conflict in the Name of “Harmony”
Many leaders avoid tough conversations to keep the peace. They believe they’re being kind or preserving morale.
In reality, they’re allowing misalignment to grow.
The Cost:
Unspoken tension. Underperformance. A culture of ambiguity. Resentment builds while standards fade.
The Fix:
Reframe conflict as clarity. Address issues directly and respectfully.
Give honest, specific feedback. Holding people accountable is leadership—it’s not aggression.
Final Thoughts: Self-Awareness Is a Leadership Advantage
The best leaders don’t avoid their blind spots.
They actively uncover them—and address them with courage and clarity.
Start by asking yourself:
Which of these three blind spots shows up in my leadership?
Where am I playing it safe? What conversation or decision am I avoiding?
If you want help uncovering and working through your own blind spots, download the free Leadership Clarity Journal.
It’s a simple, strategic tool to help you reflect and lead better.