Let’s be honest. We all like to think we’re self-aware. But if you’ve ever had a boss who believed they were an exceptional communicator yet made every meeting feel like a hostage situation, you know that self-perception and reality don’t always align.

Maybe you’ve worked with someone who swears they "foster open dialogue" but reacts to feedback like a cat being dunked in a bathtub. Or the colleague who proudly claims they "keep it real" when, in reality, they’re just a walking HR complaint waiting to happen.

The truth? Your biggest leadership blind spot is probably... you.

Blind Spots: The Leadership Kryptonite

Blind spots aren’t just tiny quirks. They’re the things everyone around you notices but you’re blissfully unaware of. And these little gaps in self-awareness? They have real consequences.

• You think you're a clear communicator, but your team is forced to decode your Slack messages like they’re written in ancient Sanskrit.

• You assume you’re approachable, but people would rather eat a bowl of thumbtacks than give you constructive feedback.

• You believe you’re leading with confidence, but to your team, you just come off as intense (and not in a good way).

Blind spots don’t just impact you. They mess with your team, your culture, and your results. Because when communication gets murky, trust takes a hit. And when trust erodes, people disengage, withhold feedback, or worse - they fake alignment and quietly job hunt.

The Hard Truth: You Are Not as Self-Aware as You Think

Most people believe they’re self-aware, but studies show that only about 10-15% of us actually are. That means there’s a very real chance you’re not seeing yourself the way others do.

And let’s be real, finding out your team thinks you’re difficult to work with after you get passed up for a promotion is not the kind of plot twist anyone wants.

So What Can You Do?

Self-awareness isn’t a magical gift some people are born with. It’s a skill you can build - but only if you’re willing to put in the work. Here’s how:

1. Ask for real feedback – And actually listen. If everyone around you hesitates before answering, that’s your sign.

2. Check for patterns – If you keep having the same issues with different people, spoiler alert: it might not be "them."

3. Use the right tools – SurePeople’s Prism self-assessment is a great way to see yourself the way others do (without the awkwardness of forcing your team to give you brutal honesty over coffee).

TL;DR: Self-Awareness = Better Leadership

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it's about knowing yourself well enough to get out of your own way.

So before you assume you’re the exception to the self-awareness gap, maybe take a moment to check. Because the toughest leadership blind spot to see is always your own.

#Leadership #Communication #SelfAwareness

P.S. Don't be this leader👇