The Leadership Blind Spot We All Share
Moving Beyond Personal Impact to Organizational Understanding
Every leader faces moments that test their principles. Recently, I witnessed a stark example of this when a major organizational change sparked immediate, visceral reactions across an entire professional community. The responses revealed something fascinating about leadership that extends far beyond this specific situation: We often judge others through a lens so narrow it prevents us from seeing the complete picture.
The Me-First Trap
As leaders, we frequently counsel our teams about the importance of seeing the bigger picture. Yet when faced with change ourselves, how often do we fall into the trap of asking only "How does this affect me?" rather than "What broader impact might this create?"
This me-first perspective is natural but limiting. It can cause us to miss the forest for the trees, leading to snap judgments and missed opportunities. More importantly, it can undermine our effectiveness as leaders.
The Broader View
Consider how you evaluate your own manager's performance. Do you judge them solely on how they interact with you, or do you consider their impact on the entire organization? Do you measure their worth only by what they've done for you personally, or do you recognize their broader contributions?
The truth is, effective leadership often happens in ways we can't see directly. While we might focus on our immediate experiences, real leadership impact often occurs through:
Strategic decisions that may not show immediate benefits
Support for initiatives that don't directly affect us
Resource allocations that benefit other teams
Long-term investments in organizational health
Community and cultural contributions that are hard to measure
The Experience Paradox
One of the most challenging aspects of leadership is that experience can become a double-edged sword. The more expertise we gain in our field, the more likely we are to develop strong opinions about "the right way" to do things. While these convictions often serve us well, they can also blind us to alternative perspectives and approaches.
This paradox becomes particularly evident when we encounter methods or approaches that differ from our preferred way of working. The natural tendency is to reject what doesn't align with our experience. However, true leadership requires the wisdom to recognize that different contexts may require different solutions.
The Mirror Test
Here's a challenging exercise for every leader: Take your strongest opinion about how something should be done in your organization. Now ask yourself:
What assumptions am I making about context?
Am I judging this based on what's best for me or what's best for the organization?
Have I truly considered perspectives different from my own?
Am I resisting this because it's wrong, or because it's different?
Moving from Judgment to Understanding
The path forward requires a shift in how we approach change and difference. Instead of immediate judgment, consider these approaches:
First, assume positive intent. When faced with decisions or changes you don't immediately agree with, start by assuming they were made thoughtfully and with good reason.
Second, broaden your lens. Before forming a final opinion, actively seek to understand the broader context and potential benefits that might not be immediately apparent to you.
Third, check your principles. Are you truly living up to the leadership principles you espouse? Do you practice the flexibility and openness to change that you expect from others?
The Action Plan
To put these ideas into practice:
Start with Self-Reflection Examine your recent reactions to organizational changes. Were your responses based on personal impact or organizational benefit?
Broaden Your Perspective Intentionally seek out views that challenge your current thinking. Engage with people who approach problems differently than you do.
Practice What You Preach Identify one area where your actions as a leader don't fully align with your stated principles. Create a specific plan to close this gap.
The Leadership Challenge
The true test of leadership isn't how we behave when things go our way. It's how we respond when faced with changes or approaches that challenge our preferences and beliefs.
The next time you find yourself having a strong reaction to a change or decision, pause and ask: Am I considering this from all angles? Am I demonstrating the kind of leadership I expect from others?
Remember: The broader your perspective as a leader, the greater your potential impact.
To your thoughtful contemplation,
Josh Anderson
Editor-In-Chief
The Leadership Lighthouse
The principles explored in this article were sparked by watching a major organizational merger unfold. Want to examine how this specific situation revealed broader truths about leadership judgment and organizational perspective?
In my latest video discussion, we dive deep into how experienced leaders can accidentally limit their effectiveness by relying too heavily on past experience and personal impact.
Watch the full conversation to understand how broadening your leadership lens can transform your organizational impact.