Watch Key & Peele to Combat Your Leadership Blind Spots

Every course on leadership should spend at least one class on “Substitute Teacher,” which was brought to you by the genius comedic duo of Key & Peele.?

For those unfamiliar with this 11-year-old, iconic skit, Mr. Garvey, played by Keegan-Michael Key, is a substitute teacher calling roll at the beginning of Science class in what looks to be a majority-white, affluent school.?

A foreshadowing of the hilarity to come occurs within the first few seconds of the skit when we learn that Mr. Garvey is steeled for battle: “I taught school for 20 years in the inner city, so don’t even think about messing with me.” He’s a proverbial human hammer, clearly looking for a nail of rebellion.?

As Mr. Garvey calls out the names on his clipboard, he perceives that his students are, in fact, messing with him because they are “mispronouncing” their given names on purpose. With each student exchange, Mr. Garvey’s anger grows until it crescendos in a tirade against “Ay-Ay-Ron” (Aaron) who is ordered to go to the office of Principal “O’Shag Hennessy” (Principal O'Shaughnessy).

Maybe you need to watch it to get it, but trust me, it’s funny.

I once showed this clip to a client who laughed heartily and then turned to me asking, “What’s this skit have to do with me?” I didn’t say anything for a few beats. Then the lightbulb went off on his head: “I’m not that bad, am I?” “No,” I said. “You aren’t that bad. But you are loaded for bear, and eager to fight demons and take offense to slights that probably don’t exist.” I also told him that while he says he wants his employees to tell him the truth, his infrequent-but-feral temper incentivizes his people to lie to him – just like “Dee Nice” (Denise) did to placate Mr. Garvey. “That’s complete, 100 percent BS,” he snapped.

Sometimes when I show this skit to people, they will object to the implication because they will assert that they’re mild mannered or not easily offended. But that’s besides the point. Key and Peele may have intended this skit to be a commentary about how race impacts perception. But for me, it’s also a marvelous reminder that your past can blind you in ways that are highly relevant to your present situation.?

The bad news is that everyone has blind spots. The good news is that you can do something about them today. The first step is to increase your self awareness, which can be accomplished without a coach, course or book (although they can all help). Great methodologies are just a google search or ChatGPT prompt away. Because while it’s fun to laugh at Mr. Garvey, you don’t want to be Mr, Garvey.?