Is a Blind Spot Holding Back Your Leadership?
Welcome back to Toolkit Tuesday! Each week, we share a leadership tool designed to help you grow, lead, and empower those around you.
The Challenge
So there I (Steve) was, sitting in the Command Master Chief’s (CMC) office, preparing for my board interview for the Command Sailor of the Year (SOY) competition. I was confident—too confident—and that came across as arrogance.
This young guy was very full of himself until a leader helped him see his tendency.
Even in the Navy, no one wants to follow an arrogant leader.
The CMC let me know—in very direct terms—that when I talked about my accomplishments, it sounded like arrogance and that perception was hurting my influence. I wasn’t trying to be arrogant—I was just sharing what I had done. But that’s the thing about blind spots: you don’t see them until someone points them out.
The Tool: Know Yourself to Lead Yourself
The Know Yourself to Lead Yourself tool helps leaders answer a critical question:
“What’s it like to be on the other side of me—and why?”
We all have tendencies—natural ways we respond to situations. These tendencies, over time, create patterns of behavior. Those patterns lead to actions, which produce consequences—either positive or negative.
Here’s how it works:
Tendency – A natural way you think, speak, or act (e.g., confidence).
Pattern – A repeated behavior that emerges (e.g., confidence comes across as arrogance).
Action – The way that behavior shows up in leadership (e.g., people feel dismissed or undervalued).
Consequence – The result of that action (e.g., losing influence and trust).
Reality – The overall environment and reputation your leadership creates (e.g., your team views you as being too full of yourself to hear other ideas).
This tool isn’t just about fixing blind spots—it’s also about reinforcing healthy leadership behaviors. If something is working well, you can use this tool to intentionally multiply it in your leadership and team culture.
Most importantly, this loop never stops—we never graduate from the school of self-awareness. The best leaders are constantly evaluating, adjusting, and growing.
Why This Matters
If left unchecked, your natural tendencies will shape your leadership—for better or worse.
If you aren’t aware of how your actions affect others, you’ll keep repeating negative patterns.
If you assume intentions matter more than impact, you’ll miss the real reason you’re not getting the results you want.
If you avoid self-reflection, you’ll limit not only your own growth—but also the health of your team and organization.
The Result
That said, when leaders become self-aware and intentional, everything changes.
You recognize patterns before they become problems.
You adjust your approach to build stronger relationships.
You multiply your influence by leading with clarity and trust.
Self-awareness isn’t about fixing yourself—it’s about understanding yourself so you can lead more effectively.
Action Steps
This week, take a moment to reflect:
What tendency do you have that might be creating a negative pattern?
How does that pattern affect your leadership?
What small adjustment could you make to improve the impact you have on others?
Final Thought
I was selected as the Command Sailor of the Year, which was a very humbling honor. Because I recognized that it would not have been possible without the support of my leaders and my team.
The best leaders develop self-awareness before trying to lead others. If you’re ready to uncover your leadership blind spots and maximize your influence, let’s talk. Schedule a free strategy session, and we’ll explore how the Know Yourself to Lead Yourself tool can help you lead with greater clarity, trust, and impact.
Fighting for your highest possible good!
- Steve
