Thursday, September 2, 2010

Leadership Blindspots?

We all have blind spots. They are part of the human condition. But when leaders and people in authority have blind spots, it matters. The more power a person wields, the more lives are affected their decisions. Blind spots impaired decisions making.
From a physiological perspectives, a blind spot is an area on the retina lacking the receptors that respond to light. If an image falls onto this area it will not be seen.


In psychology, the term is used metaphorically. It is based on the notion that there are parts of ourselves that are simply do not wish to see even though they are apparent to those who knows us. 
Popular model of blind spots is known as Johari's Window (Luft,J. and Ingram,H. 1955)

 Joseph Luft and Harry Ingram contructed a four-box model based upon "what we know about ourselves" and "what others know about us".
In this model the blind spot refers to an aspect of our personality that is not known to self but apparent to others. For example, others may notice that i lack eye contact when talking to people. I however may be completely unaware of this. It is only through the process of receiving feedback that the blind spot can be addressed. I become aware of my lack of eye contact and change my behavior.
In effect, the blind spot is reduced through learning.

"I believe in looking reality straight in the eye and denying it"
                                                              Garrison Kieller

Source: Leardership Blind Spots & what to do about them by Karen Blakeley, Copyright @2007:Wiley

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