Identifying One's Blind Spots
Last week, I had a great conversation with Julie Rose, a former radio host who decided to transition to Podcasting (Listen Here ). We talked about the anxiety Julie started to experience from the news consumption and how she felt that she often needed a break. Her transition to podcasting was different, and she talked about the trust she had to build with her audience, including being a conduit. Julie's transition to podcasting was not just a change in platform but a shift in her approach to storytelling and engaging with her audience. One of the things that Julie and I talked about was traditional media, and because of the algorithm design, we can easily trap ourselves in an echo chamber. As I was reflecting on my conversation, I thought about the blind spots we have based on our perception of the world through our individual lived experiences. Most of us end up being extremely rigid in these views, often seeking out information that reinforces our beliefs rather than feeling challenged and being open to alternative perspectives.
Additionally, I spent all weekend listening to Lex Fridman's podcast where he had Gregory Aldrete talk about the Roman empire. It was fascinating to hear about the rise and fall of the empire and how we can draw so many lessons from that. We are seeing a similar pattern in the Western world. What I love about history is that it does repeat itself. One of the common themes that I gathered from the historical perspective of the Romans was the blind spots that the leaders demonstrated through their actions and stepping away from the success they had inherited. Some of the factors we can see today are political corruption, weak leadership, economic decline from taxation and labour shortages, and cultural issues from a rise in individualism and weakened social cohesion. How do we then remain vigilant and not fall prey to the shortcomings of our blind spots? In this week's edition of EZ Reflections, we will explore some resources and tools that we can use:
What Are Blind Spots?
Blind spots are unconscious biases, behaviours, or habits that we aren’t aware of but can impact our actions and interactions. They might stem from deeply ingrained beliefs, past experiences, or even cognitive distortions that shape how we view ourselves and the world. Essentially, they are areas of weakness that can hold us back in personal or professional growth.
Why Is It Important to Identify Blind Spots?
How to Identify Your Blind Spots
1. Seek Feedback from Others
One of the most direct ways to identify blind spots is by asking others for honest feedback. Friends, family members, or colleagues might notice patterns you’ve overlooked in your behaviour. Open yourself up to constructive criticism with an open mind, and actively seek feedback in areas where you feel unsure.
Tip: Use 360-degree feedback tools at work or set up regular check-ins with trusted individuals who can offer insights.
2. Reflect on Past Conflicts
Think about recurring conflicts in your relationships or workplace. Often, these patterns point to blind spots. Are there specific triggers or behaviours that repeat? Reflecting on these moments can help uncover where you might be missing something about your actions or communication style.
Action: Keep a conflict journal where you jot down the details of arguments or misunderstandings. Over time, look for themes.
3. Take Personality Assessments
Psychological assessments like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the Big Five personality test, or the Enneagram can help highlight personality traits that might contribute to your blind spots. These tools provide insights into your natural tendencies, strengths, and areas for improvement.
Resource: Explore free versions of personality tests like 16 Personalities or the Big Five Test.
4. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness involves being present and non-judgmental about your thoughts and emotions. Regular mindfulness practice can help you become more aware of unconscious behaviours and emotional reactions that might signal blind spots.
Suggestion: Start with 5-10 minutes of mindfulness meditation daily to observe your thoughts without attachment. Apps like Headspace or Calm can provide guided sessions.
5. Engage in Coaching or Therapy
Working with a coach or therapist is a powerful way to uncover blind spots. These professionals are trained to help you see what you might be missing and offer growth strategies. Therapy can also reveal unconscious patterns stemming from past experiences.
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Tip: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is particularly effective at helping individuals identify and change blind spots related to cognitive distortions.
6. Journaling
Journaling allows for deep self-reflection. Writing down your thoughts, emotions, and reactions to daily events can reveal recurring themes or patterns you may not have noticed at the moment.
Action: Try daily or weekly journaling. After a month, review your entries, looking for patterns in how you perceive and respond to situations.
Benefits of Identifying Blind Spots
1. Stronger Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to understand and manage one's emotions and recognize those of others. By identifying blind spots, one can better navigate emotional landscapes, which leads to improved personal and professional relationships.
2. Increased Adaptability
Blind spots often prevent us from adapting to new situations effectively. When you know your weaknesses, you can take steps to mitigate them, leading to greater flexibility in dealing with challenges.
3. Higher Resilience
Addressing blind spots builds resilience. As you grow more self-aware, you’ll be better equipped to face adversity because you’re grounded in your understanding of your strengths and limitations.
4. Better Leadership
In leadership roles, blind spots can significantly affect your team and organizational culture. Leaders aware of their blind spots are more effective in guiding others, as they can delegate tasks based on their limitations and better support their team’s growth.
1. Mindfulness Tools
2. Personality Assessments
3. Conflict Resolution Journals
4. Therapy Resources