When it comes to blind spots, let me be clear, ignorance is not bliss.
IT'S A LIABILITY!
No matter how experienced, educated, or accomplished we are, every single one of us has blind spots.
We all have biases.
We all have strengths.
But even strengths, when overused or unchecked, can become weaknesses.
Here’s the thing:
The most effective leaders aren’t the ones who are flawless. They’re the ones who are self-aware.
They understand their upsides and their downsides. They know where they shine and where they stumble. Most importantly, they’re willing to do the hard, humbling work of growth.
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Self-awareness isn’t a luxury for leaders, it’s a necessity.
It’s the foundation for everything else:
✅ Making better decisions
✅ Building stronger teams
✅ Leading through complexity with clarity and calm
✅ Cultivating trust and influence over time
Without it, we’re operating with incomplete information, reacting instead of responding, managing instead of leading.
So, how do you uncover your blind spots?
The process starts with three key commitments:
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Embrace Humility
You have to first accept that no matter how talented or accomplished you are, you will always have room to grow. Growth-minded leaders are curious, not defensive. They welcome feedback as a gift, not a threat. -
Seek Out Feedback
Self-reflection is important, but it’s not enough. We all need trusted truth-tellers around us. People who can hold up a mirror and lovingly point out what we may not see ourselves. (Hint: If you only ever seek feedback from people who agree with you, you’re doing it wrong.) -
Act on What You Learn
Awareness without action is useless. Once you know where your blind spots are, the next step is to intentionally build new habits, shore up your gaps, and leverage your strengths in healthy, productive ways.
Growth Isn’t Comfortable, But It Is Essential
Here’s the honest truth: the work of self-awareness and personal leadership isn’t always easy.
It’s uncomfortable to confront our limitations. It’s challenging to sit with honest feedback. It’s tough to choose growth when staying comfortable would be easier.
But if you want to lead others well, you have to first lead yourself well.
That’s the heartbeat behind my Leading Self course.
I designed it specifically for leaders who are ready to move from auto-pilot to intentional growth, leaders who want to strengthen their self-awareness, resilience, and performance from the inside out.
Inside the course, we dive into:
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Identifying and owning your unique strengths
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Understanding how your strengths can become liabilities
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Recognizing and addressing blind spots
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Building habits that support sustainable leadership
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Leading yourself with greater clarity, confidence, and consistency
If you’re serious about investing in your leadership journey, not just for your own success, but for the sake of the people you influence,
Leading Self is for you.
Because at the end of the day, leadership isn’t about perfection.
It’s about the willingness to grow.
Ready to start?
Join me inside Leading Self and take the next step toward leading with greater clarity, confidence, and intention.
Enroll here. 👉 https://www.lauriebaedke.com/leading-self
Let's grow!
CURATED PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES
for the leader who wants to dig a little deeper
Leading Self: Strengths Based Leadership digital course
TEDTalk - Tasha Eurich, PhD, Increase Your Self Awareness with One Simple Fix
