Creating Space … To See Our Leadership Blind Spots

Leading With VOICCE® Series.

"You're mothering your team too much." Ouch.

The painful, and obvious, truth about blind spots is that we can't see them. Therefore, we truly don't know they are there. It takes intentional effort and the courage to ask and receive trustworthy feedback to gain a more holistic view of our leadership.

"You're mothering your team too much." still haunts me as a leader. There was likely some valuable truth in it, but it's only in hindsight, and a fair amount of self-awareness that I can pick through it and inspect the relevant subtext.

At the time, some of my blindspots were:

• I had a habit of shielding my team from deeper problem-solving, which likely limited their ability to strengthen their own critical thinking.

• I was quick to push back against certain work because I "didn't see the point", rather than seeking feedback on the bigger objective - I was maxed out on capacity, and I was trying to protect my team from feeling the same way.

• I had a hard time delegating - hence part of why I was maxed out on capacity. However, this also limited my team's exposure to deeper, more challenging work that could help them grow.

It wasn't until I was in an entirely different role, at a different organization, working on even higher-stakes projects, that I learned to shift these habits. Looking back, I can't articulate exactly how and when my perspective evolved. It was likely through great leadership from my managers, experience over time, and a growing passion for truly developing people. Not only that, but we were swamped. There was literally no capacity for me to shield them or "hoard" the work for myself. I HAD to learn how to empower and equip them. I had to deepen the trust in myself and deepen the trust I had in them.

ALL leaders have blindspots. There is no such thing as a perfect leader. However, we can become more self-aware and more intentional about uncovering our blindspots. One way to do this is to consistently seek feedback. Not "how am I doing?" Instead, start with naming the qualities that you and your organization BOTH value as a leader. Then ask for SPECIFIC feedback from those you trust about your performance in each area.

It's also important to recognize that most leaders want to do an outstanding job. Stress and pressure can often be a barrier to performance. Just as organizations have to balance the trade-off between speed and quality, leaders do as well.

Are you slowing down often enough and for long enough to check in with yourself and your key stakeholders?

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The Practice 

Schedule 10 Minutes on your calendar for honest reflection.

Ask: Where in my leadership might I be operating on autopilot - not because I don’t care, but because I’ve been carrying so much?

The answer may surprise you.

For additional thought-provoking questions, take a look at last week’s article - You Have The Title… Now Lead. The Practice section includes both questions for leaders and for those who want to support the leaders on their team with deeper self-awareness.

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Leadership Support

Most leaders truly want to do an outstanding job. It’s not that they don’t care. It’s that they’re carrying more than they were ever taught how to hold.

They’re navigating increased responsibility, growing workplace uncertainty, and constant change - often without the space to pause, reflect, or recalibrate how they’re leading. Over time, even the most capable leaders can begin operating on autopilot, not because they lack skill, but because they haven’t had the opportunity to reconnect with their own clarity, values, and inner direction.

The VOICCE®  Leadership Intensive was designed for leaders in this exact season.

It’s a guided coaching experience that helps leaders slow down long enough to uncover blind spots, strengthen self-trust, and lead with greater clarity and intention. We begin with identity.

Who am I as a leader? What do I value? What do I want? Then, we build forward into confident decision-making, clear communication, and aligned action.

If this article resonated, and you find yourself wanting more space to reflect, gain perspective, or strengthen how you lead from the inside out, I invite you to schedule a complimentary alignment call with me. We’ll explore what’s currently on your plate, where you want to grow, and whether the VOICCE® Leadership Intensive is the right next step for you.

You don’t need to become a different leader. You may just need the space to lead from who you already are.

• Learn more about the VOICCE® Leadership Intensive here.

• Submit your interest form to claim your complimentary alignment call.

• Organizations looking to refer or sponsor leaders should tap here to learn more.

The upcoming cohort begins Friday, February 20.

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Thank you for your presence. I am so excited to continue this journey with you!

With gratitude, Tian.

Tian Philson Leadership, Wellness & Mindset Coach | Creator of the VOICCE® Decision Making & Empowerment Framework | Helping leaders go inward so they can go upward.