Blind spots - the hidden cliffs in the sea of possibilities

In the world of business management, "blind spots" are like invisible cliffs or icebergs on a sea voyage, hidden beneath the surface of the perceptible. Some of the most common blind spots that can threaten a leader and have a dramatic impact on the strategic direction and success of a company or organization are:

Arrogance - often rooted in past successes that have created a culture of invulnerability and arrogance.

Know-it-all - we think we know what is best for our customer and our employees.

Ignorance - a lack of engagement with the successes and achievements of our competitors and the reasons why they are (more) successful.

Lack of communication - lack of dialog and feedback loops with employees and customers.

Wishful thinking - Although potential risks are recognized, we hope that "everything will be fine again" and that there is no need for change on our part.

Business as usual - We don't take the time to pause and plan and implement necessary changes because "the show must go on"...

Just as every experienced helmsman relies on his radar and other technical instruments to navigate around invisible cliffs and not end up like the Titanic, leaders should use instruments to become aware of their blind spots and the dangers they pose beneath the surface. I therefore recommend to my clients to align their radar according to the following criteria:?

Self-reflection - take time to examine your own assumptions, biases and decision-making processes.

Obtain feedback - Obtain internal and external feedback (e.g. from employees, customers, service providers, etc.) before making important decisions.

Promote diversity - Encourage a diverse workforce and leadership to include different experiences and perspectives.

Encourage critical thinking - Promote a culture of critical thinking and dialog in which uncomfortable things can and should be said.

Obtain external expertise - Bring in external consultants or experts who can provide an unbiased assessment and help you develop solutions.

Change your perspective - actively change your perspective and check your assumptions. Consciously and actively adopt the viewpoint of employees, customers, service providers, etc.

?By regularly using this radar, the surface becomes more and more transparent and you and your company become able to shape the future.

What tools do you use regularly to discover blindspots? Which one have you discovered recently? Write to me of you like or visit my website coaching-consulting-berlin.de for more blogposts in English and Deutsch.