Leadership: Overcoming Blind Spots Kurt Nelson, PhD
Nov 02, 2014
Leadership: Overcoming Blind Spots
Kurt Nelson, PhD
“Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.”
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Fearless Leadership
“The courage to take a bold stand, act decisively, and engage with others in an
extraordinary way.”
Malandro
Are you a fearless leader?
FEAR
Loretta Malandro wrote a great book on fearless leadership
One of her key insights was that we all have Blind Spots
Blind Spots This was my 1970 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia – it
was a great car!
Blind Spots However…it had a number of blind spots that hid
things (i.e., cars, people, dogs, etc…) from your view
Blind Spots However…it had a number of blind spots that hid
things (i.e., cars, people, dogs, etc…) from your view
Leadership Blind Spots
“Unproductive behavior that undermines business results and working
relationships.”
Malandro
Malandro identified 10 Blind Spots
Let’s see what they are…
Going it alone
Symptoms
Not asking for helpNot accepting help
Not talking about stressNot including others in decisions
Malandro
Being insensitive to your impact on others
Perception
“We judge others on their behavior but expect them to judge us by our intention.”
Malandro
Having an “I know” attitude (I’m right)
Arrogant
“Having an answer for everything, rigid and fixed views, lack of intellectual curiosity, not listening,
diminishing what others have to say, arguing with everyone who does not agree with your point of
view, refusing to explore alternatives and options”
Malandro
Avoiding difficult (crucial) conversations
Crucial Conversations
“Understand that you make the situation worse for others when you don’t have those crucial conversations when the
crucial moment happens”Vital Smarts
Blaming others or circumstances
Accountability
“Being personally accountable for business results and your impact on
people, even when others accept zero accountability.” Malandro
If you use these two words…
You might need to take more accountability
“Yeah, but...”
Treating commitments casually
Symptoms
Not keeping commitmentsNot fulfilling promises on time
Always maintaining an “escape hatch”Not providing a clear commitment or non
commitment
Conspiring against others
Minnesota Nice
“When I'm angry at someone, I don't let them know. I just smile pleasantly to his or her face
and then proceed to talk about them behind their back.”
Urban Dictionary
Withholding emotional commitment
Hearts and Minds
“When an organization can capture both the “hearts and minds” – emotional and
intellectual commitment – people engage and focus energy on implementing
change.”Malandro
Not taking a stand
Indecision
“An indecisive leader cripples a group or organization by sapping the energy and
drive of people.”Malandro
Tolerating good enough
Accountability
“Settling for the ‘status quo’ is never reaching for greatness.”
Unknown
Removing The Blind Spots
Truly Blind
“If I told you what blind spots you have, you would deny them, or you would argue, debate, and defend why you do what you
do.”Malandro
What can you do to identify
your blind spots?
1. Find people who can help you identify your blind spots and ask them to help?
Must be people who feel comfortable telling you the truth…
1. Find people who can help you identify your blind spots and ask them to help?
Must be people who feel comfortable telling you the truth…
…that is the hard part
2. Empathy practice – take 10-minutes to look back at the last few hours of your day. Write down
your specific behaviors (like it was a video that showed only the actual behaviors) and actively
look to identify any of the 10 blind spots.
It is hard to do this without some self-editing / bias – but try to be brutally honest about it – it really can help
Create an Action Plan
What is your Action Plan for identifying your blind
spots and taking bold action to do something
about them?
Ultimately who is accountable?
Insert Your Name Here
100% Accountable
We should wear this badge everday…
100% Accountable Pledge
I will fully and completely take charge of my own actions. I will not accept less than the
best from myself or my team. I will hold myself accountable for both my own and my
team’s results. I will only make commitments that I can make and that I
intend to keep.
I will not make excuses.
I cannot change anyone’s behavior but my own – so I will focus on how I can change to achieve success. I will ask for help when I need it. I will gladly accept help when it is
offered. I will be open to insights that others have and listen to their ideas, thoughts, and
opinions without bias. I will search out information on my blind spots from those
who work with me. I will not blame others or circumstances for not meeting
commitments.
I will engage 100% in everything that I do.
I will “play to win” and not “play to not lose.” I will take bold action when necessary. I will
speak the truth. I will not tolerate good enough. I will face difficult situations and
hold crucial conversations when necessary. I will actively examine how my behavior is
impacting others.
I will not make excuses.
I will strive to be a fearless leader who makes a difference everyday. I will hold myself accountable to all these things.
To learn more…
www.malandro.com www.lanterngroup.com
http://thelanterngroup.wordpress.comTwitter - @WhatMotivates
Kurt Nelson, PhDe: [email protected]
p: 612-396-6392
Thank You