The Common Blind Spots Leaders Face and Simple Solutions
Clarity leads to greater success
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Leadership, Leading, Leader.
Three similar words, but with subtle nuances.
Here are some common blind spots and solutions for each area that could be holding your team and organization from achieving its full potential.
What is Leadership?
Leadership is the process of guiding and influencing the behavior and work of others toward the achievement of specified goals.
A ‘Leadership’ Blind Spot: Underutilized Talent
A common blind spot in leadership occurs when organizations possess a wealth of talent but fail to fully develop this potential. Without targeted and sustained talent development, the organization’s overall progress and impact on the bottom line are limited.
Solution: Set Up Real-World Training That Makes a Difference
To tap into the potential of your team, it's crucial to set up ongoing training programs that are practical and directly aligned with what your organization aims to achieve.
This means not just any training, but workshops that build on leadership qualities, and interpersonal abilities. Make it a point to check in on how these programs are doing. Listen to what your employees are saying about them and make tweaks when necessary to keep them relevant and valuable for everyone involved.
This is about growing together and making sure everyone's on board and prepared to succeed.
What is Leading?
Leading is the action by which someone in a leadership role guides and influences. It involves sharing a vision, inspiring people, and mobilizing teams, providing direction, and making decisions that help a group achieve its goals. Leading involves continuous activities and behaviors used to apply leadership principles.
A ‘Leading' Blind Spot: Misplaced Personnel
A critical blind spot in leading is the misplacement of personnel. Leaders often promote or hire individuals based on emotional connections rather than strategic fit. Placing well-liked individuals in roles for which they are ill-suited can lead to underperformance not only at the individual level but across their teams, ultimately hindering the organization's ability to achieve its goals.
Solution: Build a Purpose Driven Workforce
Contrary to popular belief, favoritism is alive, well, and rampant in the workforce and can be a big problem in the workplace.
To build a team culture that feels fair and genuine, clear and straightforward criteria are needed for hiring and promotions that truly reflect company goals, not personal preferences. Rely on competency-based interviews and real performance evaluations to determine what someone can bring to the table.
Maintaining transparency—talking openly about why your team makes certain hiring decisions - can cut down on resentment and increase understanding and trust in the process. This way, you’re not just saying “we are fair”—you're actually being fair.
Who is a Leader?
A leader is recognized for their ability to lead, whether by official title or through their influence and actions. Regardless of their title, a leader must deeply understand the impacts of both leadership and leading. They must combine leadership competencies to effectively influence others.
A 'Leader' Blind Spot: Lacking Self-Awareness
A prevalent blind spot for leaders is a lack of self-awareness regarding how their actions and decisions cascade throughout the organization. Leaders may believe they are effectively guiding their teams toward organizational objectives, but without continuous feedback and self-reflection, they may miss opportunities for personal and professional development that could enhance their influence and effectiveness.
Solution: Address a Common Oversight–Leader Impact
It’s crucial for leaders to listen and reflect on feedback from everyone around them—team members, peers, and bosses.
Setting up a 360-degree feedback system isn't just about gathering opinions; it’s about understanding how your actions affect the whole team. It’s important for leaders to take time for self-reflection and to push themselves to grow. Regular check-ins on how you're doing and where you can improve can make a big difference. Continue challenging yourself to be better and make the impact you’re aiming for.
By confronting and mitigating blind spots, you can enhance your approach, refine your skills, and lead your team to greater success. Leadership is not just about holding a position, but about making a positive impact and continuously improving oneself and the organization.
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