The Blind Spots Holding You Back: How Leaders Get Stuck (and How to Finally Break Free)

Hey you. I was thinking about you. And you know what I was thinking? It might be time to admit the biggest thing in your way… is you. In this episode of It’s Time to SOAR: Getting Unstuck with Coach Katina, I’m joined by Dr. Charity Hughes, Senior Vice President of Talent Management at Sellers Dorsey and a seasoned executive coach, to unpack how high-achieving leaders get stuck — not because of their teams, their boss, or “the culture” — but because of blind spots they refuse to see. We talk about perfectionism, control, micromanagement, resistance to feedback, and the obsession with being right – and how all of that quietly kills innovation, silences your team, and keeps you small. Dr. Hughes shares powerful stories from the workplace and from her own life, and we walk through what it really looks like to: Face your blind spots Name your triggers Have courageous conversations And finally move from stuck to soaring in your leadership and your life. If you’ve ever heard feedback you didn’t like, shut down after a painful experience, or caught yourself saying, “That’s just how I am,” this conversation is for you.

 

In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why self-awareness is the #1 success factor for effective leaders How perfectionism quietly turns into control, microaggressions, and missed opportunities The difference between being right and being effective — and why your career depends on it How unhealed childhood and workplace experiences show up today as triggers and bad habits Practical questions to ask people close to you so you can uncover your blind spots What a courageous conversation with a non–self-aware leader can sound like How to rewrite your self-talk so you stop shrinking and start showing up Why accountability, coaching, and honest feedback are non-negotiable if you’re serious about growth

About Our Guest – Dr. Charity Hughes Dr. Charity Hughes is the Senior Vice President of Talent Management at Sellers Dorsey, one of the nation’s leading healthcare consulting firms, partnering with states, providers, and health plans to strengthen the safety net and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations. She’s been instrumental in building a best-in-class HR function that truly enables the business. Previously, she served as Chief Talent Officer for Mastery Charter Schools, a nonprofit network of 24 public schools serving 14,500 students in Philadelphia and Camden. On top of her executive role, Dr. Hughes is a professional certified coach, DEI practitioner, and HR consultant who helps organizations and leaders elevate their leadership capability, deepen self-awareness, and create cultures where people can thrive.

Episode Journey:

06:00 – “Stuck on being right”: Katina’s Penn State story and the need to defend your opinion

09:30 – The game-changing question: Is it more important to be right or to be effective?

13:00 – Triggers and childhood wounds: the story of the line, Jim Crow South, and unseen trauma

18:30 – “This is just how I am” vs. a behavior you learned, practiced, and can unlearn

21:00 – What to do when your leader is in their own way: curiosity & courageous conversations

26:00 – Imposter syndrome, shrinking at work, and the danger of negative self-talk 29:00 – Why healing is an inside job, even when the hurt was external

31:00 – Affirmations, prayer, and daily habits that shape how you show up

33:00 – Accountability, how people actually experience you, and owning your starting point

35:00 – Final encouragement: get honest, get support, and get unstuck so you can soar

04:30 – How perfectionism turns into procrastination, missed deadlines, and a silenced team

Ready to Get From Stuck to Soaring?

If today’s episode pulled on something in you — a blind spot, a pattern, a trigger you’re finally ready to face — you don’t have to do this work alone.

👉 If you’re ready to stop shrinking and start showing up, let’s talk.

Use the link to connect with Coach Katina, and see if you’re a fit for the SOAR Coaching Program. https://scheduler.zoom.us/katina_robertson/strategy-call

And don’t forget to: Follow & subscribe so you never miss an episode Share this with a leader who needs a loving nudge to get out of their own way Leave a rating and review so more people can find It’s Time to SOAR #It’stimeforyoutogetunstuck. #It’s time for you to SOAR. 🕊️