In this episode of Daily Creative, we dive into the hidden forces that can derail even the most talented and well-intentioned leaders: blind spots. We explore why self-awareness isn’t just about knowing our weaknesses, but also understanding how our biggest strengths—if left unchecked—can turn into liabilities.
We’re joined by Marty Dubin, executive coach, former CEO, clinical psychologist, and author of the new book Blindspotting. Marty shares his framework for uncovering blind spots across six key areas: motives, traits, emotion, intellect, behavior, and identity. Together, we discuss how habits and internal narratives can get stuck even as our roles evolve, and the vital importance of inviting honest feedback from those around us before it’s too late.
We cover:
- Why our “super strengths” can turn into career roadblocks
- The difference between our self-perception and reality
- Practical ways to spot and address blind spots as leaders
- How to evolve our identity alongside our changing responsibilities
- Creating a culture of feedback and vulnerability within teams
Five Key Learnings:
- Blind spots often stem not from our weaknesses, but from our overused strengths—like confidence becoming arrogance, or high standards turning into micromanagement.
- Marty Dubin’s six blind spot categories—motives, traits, emotion, intellect, behavior, and identity—offer a holistic way to self-reflect and adjust as our careers evolve.
- Our identity can easily lag behind our roles, causing frustration, stagnation, or even unintentional sabotage if we don’t let go of outdated self-concepts.
- Emotional reactions, especially those that surprise us, are powerful signals of possible blind spots tied to hidden motives or identity mismatches.
- Building a culture where others can “speak truth” to us—inviting honest feedback before problems arise—is essential for growth and effective leadership.
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