Everyone has blind spots — subconscious patterns of thinking and behavior that shape decisions without us even realizing it. They’re not flaws; they’re part of being human. But if left unexamined, they become invisible barriers to growth.
Most blind spots begin with a story. Something we tell ourselves based on past experiences, assumptions, or fears. Over time, these stories become beliefs, and our beliefs shape our habits. These habits often operate beneath the surface, influencing how we lead, make decisions, and respond to challenges — without conscious thought.
When we’re operating from our A-Game, we’re grounded, intentional, and present. We make choices that reflect our values and long-term vision. But when we’re in B-Game mode, we default to reactive patterns, often based on outdated stories that no longer serve us. Our habits push us into acting from our B-Game.
The key to growth is awareness. Self-leadership is about pressing pause, questioning the story, and choosing to respond instead of react. When we bring our blind spots into the light, we gain the power to shift them — and that shift creates value not just for ourselves, but for the people and organizations we lead.
When we stop to ask ourselves the Central Question — “What choice can I make and action can I take in this moment to create the greatest net value?” — we are able to press pause and step out of our B-Game and into our A-Game.
Here are a few questions to help uncover and explore your own leadership blind spots:
- What story do I find myself repeating when things don’t go as planned?
- What belief might be holding me back from making a necessary change?
- Where in my day do I tend to react rather than respond?
- What habit am I ready to outgrow?
- How could shifting my perspective unlock new value?
You don’t need to fix everything at once. But you can start with one habit — one small shift that helps you operate more consistently from your A-Game.
To help you take action, I’ve created a free Habit Builder (below)you can use to stay focused and build momentum. Choose one habit you want to build or change this month, and use the tracker to hold yourself accountable. Awareness is the first step — consistency is what turns it into transformation. Learn more at Achievable.com.
Boost Your Business Growth with a Leadership Health Checkup!
Just like an annual health checkup, it’s important to take a moment and assess your company’s leadership. Here’s your chance!
I’ve created a Leadership Health Checkup sheet that has helped many businesses grow, and I’m offering it to you for FREE! Simply fill out the form below, and it will be sent to your email.
For the best results, have leaders, managers, or even the whole team fill it out anonymously.
– Michael Gidlewski, Founder of Achievement Unlimited, Inc.
