Many problems Christian leaders can face have to do with lies they have believed about themselves or about the Lord they serve. Things that “Just Ain’t so.” Often these are called “blind spots.” We just don’t see things as they really and truly are! In today’s guest post, Dan Rockwell shares five of these blind spots with us.

Guest Post by Dan Rockwell

The most dangerous problems are the ones you don’t see. Every leader has five blindspots that sabotage influence, execution, and decision-making.

According to Marty Dubin*, “Blindspots are what we don’t know about ourselves that hold us back as leaders.”

5 Blindspots Every Leader Has

#1. Identity: Who you think you are?

You act according to who you believe yourself to be. When you see yourself as a genius you don’t see your know-it-all tendencies. If you’re the fixer, you minimize others.

Leadership challenges go beyond self-identity.

Solution: Audit your calendar. Does your time reflect who you aspire to become or who you used to be?

#2. Motive: What drives you?

Are you leading for impact or applause?

 Dubin says, “The drive for fame overwhelmed his ability to recognize what he ought to have been focusing on.”

Solution: Ask yourself: “What results matter if no one see them?”

#3. Traits: What strengths are overused?

Overplayed strengths are weaknesses. Visionaries overlook detail. Achievers burn out teams.

Solution: Identify your top two strengths. Ask: “Where do these create problems for others?”

#4. Emotion: Are you managing or being managed?

Some leaders avoid discomfort. Others chase excitement. Unchecked emotion leads to poor decisions and strained relationships.

Solution: Pause before reacting. Name what you feel. Choose your next best move.

#5. Intellect: Are you smart enough to know smarts aren’t enough?

Intellectual arrogance causes tunnel vision.

Dubin warns, “He assumed the things he didn’t understand weren’t important.”  Solution: Learn from people who see what you miss. Ask, “What am I overlooking?”

Power Action Step: Self-reflection is strategic, not soft. You can’t fix what you won’t face. Begin journaling about your potential blindspots.

Which blindspot hits home for you?

*Marty Dubin is a clinical psychologist turned leadership coach with experience as a CEO and entrepreneur. He blends psychological insight with real-world business experience. This post is based on his new book: Blindspotting: How to See What’s Holding You Back as a Leader.

Keep reading: Seven Steps to See and Solve Blindspots