Leadership: Overcoming Blind Spots

Kurt Nelson, PhD

“Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Fearless Leadership

“The courage to take a bold stand, act decisively, and engage with others in an

extraordinary way.”

Malandro

Are you a fearless leader?

FEAR

Loretta Malandro wrote a great book on fearless leadership

One of her key insights was that we all have Blind Spots

Blind Spots This was my 1970 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia – it

was a great car!

Blind Spots However…it had a number of blind spots that hid

things (i.e., cars, people, dogs, etc…) from your view

Blind Spots However…it had a number of blind spots that hid

things (i.e., cars, people, dogs, etc…) from your view

Leadership Blind Spots

“Unproductive behavior that undermines business results and working

relationships.”

Malandro

Malandro identified 10 Blind Spots

Let’s see what they are…

Going it alone

Symptoms

Not asking for helpNot accepting help

Not talking about stressNot including others in decisions

Malandro

Being insensitive to your impact on others

Perception

“We judge others on their behavior but expect them to judge us by our intention.”

Malandro

Having an “I know” attitude (I’m right)

Arrogant

“Having an answer for everything, rigid and fixed views, lack of intellectual curiosity, not listening,

diminishing what others have to say, arguing with everyone who does not agree with your point of

view, refusing to explore alternatives and options”

Malandro

Avoiding difficult (crucial) conversations

Crucial Conversations

“Understand that you make the situation worse for others when you don’t have those crucial conversations when the

crucial moment happens”Vital Smarts

Blaming others or circumstances

Accountability

“Being personally accountable for business results and your impact on

people, even when others accept zero accountability.” Malandro

If you use these two words…

You might need to take more accountability

“Yeah, but...”

Treating commitments casually

Symptoms

Not keeping commitmentsNot fulfilling promises on time

Always maintaining an “escape hatch”Not providing a clear commitment or non

commitment

Conspiring against others

Minnesota Nice

“When I'm angry at someone, I don't let them know. I just smile pleasantly to his or her face

and then proceed to talk about them behind their back.”

Urban Dictionary

Withholding emotional commitment

Hearts and Minds

“When an organization can capture both the “hearts and minds” – emotional and

intellectual commitment – people engage and focus energy on implementing

change.”Malandro

Not taking a stand

Indecision

“An indecisive leader cripples a group or organization by sapping the energy and

drive of people.”Malandro

Tolerating good enough

Accountability

“Settling for the ‘status quo’ is never reaching for greatness.”

Unknown

Removing The Blind Spots

Truly Blind

“If I told you what blind spots you have, you would deny them, or you would argue, debate, and defend why you do what you

do.”Malandro

What can you do to identify

your blind spots?

1. Find people who can help you identify your blind spots and ask them to help?

Must be people who feel comfortable telling you the truth…

1. Find people who can help you identify your blind spots and ask them to help?

Must be people who feel comfortable telling you the truth…

…that is the hard part

2. Empathy practice – take 10-minutes to look back at the last few hours of your day. Write down

your specific behaviors (like it was a video that showed only the actual behaviors) and actively

look to identify any of the 10 blind spots.

It is hard to do this without some self-editing / bias – but try to be brutally honest about it – it really can help

Create an Action Plan

What is your Action Plan for identifying your blind

spots and taking bold action to do something

about them?

Ultimately who is accountable?

Insert Your Name Here

100% Accountable

We should wear this badge everday…

100% Accountable Pledge

 

I will fully and completely take charge of my own actions. I will not accept less than the

best from myself or my team. I will hold myself accountable for both my own and my

team’s results. I will only make commitments that I can make and that I

intend to keep.  

I will not make excuses.  

I cannot change anyone’s behavior but my own – so I will focus on how I can change to achieve success. I will ask for help when I need it. I will gladly accept help when it is

offered. I will be open to insights that others have and listen to their ideas, thoughts, and

opinions without bias. I will search out information on my blind spots from those

who work with me. I will not blame others or circumstances for not meeting

commitments.  

I will engage 100% in everything that I do.

I will “play to win” and not “play to not lose.” I will take bold action when necessary. I will

speak the truth. I will not tolerate good enough. I will face difficult situations and

hold crucial conversations when necessary. I will actively examine how my behavior is

impacting others.  

I will not make excuses.  

I will strive to be a fearless leader who makes a difference everyday. I will hold myself accountable to all these things.

 

To learn more…

www.malandro.com www.lanterngroup.com

http://thelanterngroup.wordpress.comTwitter - @WhatMotivates

Kurt Nelson, PhDe: Kurt@lanterngroup.com

p: 612-396-6392

Thank You