Is That a Blind Spot?

I recently overheard an enlightening conversation between two co-workers. One was talking about a recent communication webinar they both had attended - and appeared to NOT have found significant value in the content. This person was heard to say, "I didn't really learn anything - I mean, I could practically TEACH that content myself".

I then heard the other person reply, "But could you??? REALLY???" I could tell the second person was being light-hearted in their push-back, but it was also an honest moment of them saying, "Hey, if you look in the mirror, do you REALLY think you've nailed all those communication skills?"

This made me think about how often we THINK we are good at communication skills... and how often we miss the boat. Despite our best intentions, or sometimes our auto-pilot, how often we have blind spots when it comes to our interactions with others. 

It can be hard, but as Self-Aware Leaders who are working to enhance our self-awareness skills, it's so important to remain open to feedback. 

One of my favorite questions to ask myself is, "What's it like to be on the receiving end of me?" This always encourages me to pause and think about my approaches with others. 

It also supports me in working to be available to feedback when I've misspoken, been absent-minded, or accidentally been more gruff than I intended. There's a quote from infant toddler mental health that says, "all relationships have rupture, it's the healthy ones that create repair".

We all have blind spots. The trick (and goal) is to be humble enough to first notice them and then bring them into our awareness and our interactions in an intentional way so they no longer trip us up.

Reflection Questions:

1. When was the last time I assumed I was “good” at something, like communication, without really checking in on how others might experience me? 

2. What feedback have I received (direct or subtle) that might point to a blind spot in how I show up? 

3. What’s one recent interaction I had that didn’t go the way I intended? What might I have missed or misread? 

4. Do I have someone in my life or workplace who can kindly and honestly hold up a mirror for me? How open am I to hearing what they see? 

5. What’s one way I can practice “repair” this week, either with a colleague, friend, or family member, if a small rupture has occurred?

Here's to some "Mirror Mirror on the Wall time!" Get in touch here—I’d love to hear from you as you reflect! 

YOU MATTER!