It was one of the most intriguing After-Action Reviews (AARs) that I have facilitated in several years.
As the facilitator, it was my role to keep the dialogues going and to offer coaching when appropriate. As it turns out, I provided a lot of coaching.
I was astounded by the lack of self-awareness and recognition of the blind spots of these leaders and used the AAR as a laboratory for exploring ways of helping the leaders understand more about themselves and their leadership capabilities.
The chart below presents an interesting contrast. In it, I share the specific DiSC style, what the leader thought of their own behaviors during the simulation workshop, and what their teammates thought of their behavior during the simulation workshop. Basically, the difference between the leader’s view and the team's view demonstrates the leadership's blind spots.
DiSC Style |
Leader View |
Feedback Perspective |
D |
“I am confident, bold, and willing to take risks when others aren’t.” |
“You came across as arrogant, unprepared, and insensitive to the needs of the team who wanted to take more time to make decisions.” |
i |
“I am optimistic and we can be winners by being bold, innovative, and believing in our differentiated products.” |
“You are unrealistic and over-forecasted the market which almost bankrupted us.” |
S |
“I am a great listener and collaborator” |
“You were passive, indecisive, and seemed checked out while the rest of us did all the work” |
C |
“I am detail-oriented, analytical, and am able to observe the markets as they evolve.” |
“You were cold, distant, unemotional, and disengaged” |
As the facilitator, I saw a side of leadership and people that I rarely have seen before. It got me thinking about ways leaders can understand and address their own blind spots. Based on research and years of experience, here are five tips for addressing your leadership blind spots:
In summary, overcoming your leadership blind spots is a never-ending process. It requires discipline and commitment to personal growth and an open-minded approach to the way you lead. By actively seeking to uncover and address your blind spots, you will be a better leader and make better business decisions.