The Power of Y.O.U. and Accepting Your Blind Spots: Part 2 of 3

Power Quote of the Month

“If we can stop, listen and think about what others are seeing in us, we have a great opportunity. We can compare the self that we want to be with the self that we are presenting to the rest of the world. We can then begin to make the real changes that are needed to close the gap between our stated values and our actual behavior.”

 – Marshall Goldsmith in What Got You Here Won’t Get You There

This is part 2 of a 3 part series which covers how to become aware of, accept, and take action to overcome your blind spots. 

In my first article of this series, I provided a framework for identifying and becoming more aware of your blind spots. To maximize the value of this process, take advantage of these insights, tools, and strategies offered here.

In this article, I provide the steps to demonstrate your open mindedness and willingness to accept and embrace your blind spots. Cultivating humility and a non – defensive outlook is key. In any successful change process, acceptance precedes action. This process requires conscious awareness and acceptance of the limitations you may not want to admit or see in yourself. 

Successfully identifying, accepting, and overcoming your blind spots involves 3 key character traits: courage, humility, and discipline. 

Most humans have built in defense mechanisms that were adopted at a young age to cope with life’s challenges. Unfortunately, while these defense mechanisms served you well in the past, they may no longer serve you today.  And yet, we often cling to what we believe has always worked for us. 

Take my client Judy, for example. In her early teens, Judy was forced to become highly independent, self – reliant, and overly responsible. She became a leader at a young age and excelled in many areas of her career and personal life. When she came to me for coaching, she was burned out and had become less effective due to over performing at work and home with her family. Together, we identified her blind spot. Judy viewed asking for support to achieve her goals as a sign of weakness and a threat to her career, marriage, and parenting. Confessing her need for control, we began to dig deeper into her blind spot. She became aware these very strengths, used to an excess, became her weakness. This new awareness took courage for Judy to accept. 

Next, Judy requested constructive feedback and suggestions from her direct reports, husband, and children about how to give them more ownership over certain responsibilities. She gained their support in helping her relinquish control and delegate more. Judy also learned that others felt stifled by her heroic efforts and how it inhibited their growth. As Judy kept an open mind about their input and suggestions, she began to develop more humility. Letting go of her pride about the need to do everything herself and trusting others more was an epiphany. By thanking them for their suggestions and allowing herself to feel the discomfort of being vulnerable, Judy felt a weight lifted. She reported a new freedom in being on the “receiving” end that she hadn’t experienced prior.

In the last article of this series, I will cover the discipline and follow up actions required for Judy to overcome her blind spot. 

30 Day Power Challenge

Take the Enneagram Test and examine your results thoroughly. At the end of the report, you’ll see several suggestions for adopting new healthy behaviors and eliminating ones that no longer serve you. Select one new desired behavior and practice it as a daily discipline as best you can. Keep a record of your daily successes and setbacks. 

Power Resources and Tools 

1. Take the Enneagram Personality Test
2. Read  “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There” by Marshall Goldsmith – formerly the #1 Executive Coach in the World 
3. Educate yourself on the Johari Window Model

You will learn the secrets of how some of the world’s top thought leaders make a positive difference by owning their uniqueness.