Leadership Illuminated: How to See Past Our Blind Spots

Recently, my pastor preached an inspiring sermon. Going over my notes made me think a lot about how leadership works. Hold on tight, because I'm about to tell you something that might change how you think about and maybe even how you lead.

Navigating Leadership Blind Spots

Picture yourself as the captain of a ship sailing through the vast ocean, with only the stars and your trusty compass to guide you. However, there is a big iceberg just below the surface of the water that you can't see. That's kind of like the sneaky blind spots we face as leaders—those tricky parts we don't see that can really mess up our plans and the great people we're trying to lead.

The Plight of Visibility

It's a humbling realization, one that echoes the profound message of the recent sermon I mentioned: "You can be blind even if you can see" (Pastor Kevin Simmons). When it comes to leadership, this blindness shows up when we don't see the wants, needs, and problems of the people around us. We get so focused on big-picture goals like meeting targets and improving performance that we forget about the small-picture people who make our teams work.

The Leadership Blind Spot: Every leader has areas of blindness, aspects of their team or organizational culture that escape notice. These blind spots can range from unrecognized biases and assumptions to a lack of awareness about team members' individual challenges and needs.

Voice as a Beacon

There is an undeniable parallel in leadership to the people in Matthew 20:29–34 who wouldn't shut up when they were told to and kept calling out to Jesus for forgiveness. People in our organizations will whisper dissatisfaction or calls for change, but they will often be silenced by the "crowd," which could be corporate culture, the way things are set up, or even our own arrogance.

Lesson for Leaders: Leaders should encourage people to speak up when there is silence. Like the people in the Bible who wouldn't be quieted, we need to make sure that everyone on our team feels valued and heard. Their thoughts, worries, and ideas can be the lifelines that help us see past our leadership blind spots and into a place of greater connection and awareness.

The Courage to See and Be Seen

Acknowledging our blind spots is just the beginning. The real challenge, and opportunity, lies in how we respond. Pastor Kevin implores, "If you can’t see, use your voice to cry out to God." In the business world, this means looking for help, whether it's through a trainer, feedback, or self-reflection. It's about being brave enough to ask for help and accept that we don't know everything and that other people's views are sometimes what we need to really see.

Responding to Enlightenment

Here comes the twist, though—often, we ask for insight, for feedback, for the truth. Yet, when it's delivered, our defenses go up. My pastor warned us, "Don’t cry out to God and get mad or scared when He answers you!" Similarly, when we receive the feedback we've sought, it's crucial to welcome it with openness and grace, not defensiveness or fear.

A Roadmap for Leadership

How then do we get past these blind spots, listen to the words around us, and act on the truths they tell us? Here are some ideas that will help you become a better leader:

1. Foster Open Communication: Create channels and a culture that encourage open dialogue. Regular check-ins, anonymous feedback mechanisms, and open forums can help surface unseen issues and ideas.

2. Seek Diverse Perspectives: Actively seek out opinions and viewpoints different from your own. This diversity of thought can help mitigate blind spots and lead to more innovative solutions.

3. Embrace Vulnerability: Admitting you don't have all the answers can be powerful. It humanizes you as a leader and invites others to contribute their insights and strengths.

4. Invest in Feedback: Make feedback a two-way street. Not only should you provide constructive feedback to your team, but actively seek it for yourself. And remember, respond to it with curiosity rather than defensiveness.

5. Continuous Learning: Leadership is a journey, not a destination. Commit to ongoing personal and professional development to broaden your perspectives and enhance your leadership skills.

Looking Ahead

As we sail through the wild seas of leading others, let's make it our mission to shine a light on what's hidden, give an ear to the quiet voices just as much as the loud ones, and meet what they're telling us with an open heart (and plenty of guts). It's not all about being in charge – it's about sparking inspiration, lifting others up, and lighting the way not just for us, but for everyone tagging along.

Learn more from Pastor Kevin Simmons: https://www.kevinsimmons.org

Learn more about Vortex Church: https://www.vortexchurch.com