Blindspots

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been prayin’ for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day

By Johnny Nash

Wouldn’t that be great? To be able to see all obstacles in our way and to have all the bad feelings disappear. It certainly would be a bright, sun-shiny day.

However . . . If we are honest with ourselves, we understand that we all do not see clearly, regardless if the clouds fill the horizon or the sun is brightly shining. We all have blindspots.

How frequently do you have those “how could. . .” thoughts?

How could she let her kids do that? How could he sign that contract? How could that couple continue to spend money they don’t have?

From our vantage point of the outside looking in, it is so easy for us to see the mistakes (that’s what we would call them) others seem to make. Yet, they do not see them as mistakes, if they see them at all.

The point of seeing blindspots in others is not to understand how to help them, but to understand we have the same blindspots.

Once you learn the skill of seeing the blindspots in others as your own blindspots, you begin the journey of addressing the blindspots in your life. Once you see your blindspots, you will begin to see how your blindspots impact your leadership abilities.

Knowing your blindspots now become an opportunity. You will now see the blindspots in your team and team members. From here you will see the blind spots in your company and the blind spots in your market. Seeing the blindspots in your business market allows you to capitalize on what others do not see. What was once a weakness is now a strength.

And it all starts with opening your awareness of your own blindspots.

Here are four steps to help you identify some of your most glaring blindspots.

• Ask your trusted colleagues if they will be honest and open and tell you of your blindspots.
• Spend time out of the office and away from your comfort zone. This will allow you to reflectively see many of your blindspots as they become glaringly obvious.
• Spend time alone and critically reflect on situations that have not gone well for you. Reflect on a time when you were not at your best.
• Use a professionally designed questionnaire to discover and interpret your blindspots.

Interestingly, the Bible is all about helping us identify and resolve our blindspots. Denial, stubbornness, selfishness, bitterness, and disobedience are all root causes of blindspots and are all extensively addressed in the Bible.

Here is the rainbow I’ve been prayin’ for.

The solution for blindspots is humility. Luke 14:11 says.

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Humble yourself at work and ask for help to see your blindspots; then turn a liability into an asset for those around you and your company.