Everyone one of us have blind spots. John Maxwell defines a blind spot as "an area in the lives of people in which they continually do not see themselves or their situation realistically." This can also be anything that can hinder or undermine your performance that you are either unaware of or have chosen to overlook.

We will look at 4 areas of blind spots and then how we can recognize them in our life and ministry.

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Types of Blind Spots

1. Experience Blind Spots  The experience blind spot is most likely to come into play when leaders move to a new role or a new position of ministry.

2. Personality Blind Spots.   Just as past experience can produce tunnel vision in leaders who are not self-aware enough to notice it, the structure of your personality can lead you to process information incorrectly.

3. Values Blind Spots.  Values blind spots occur when a leader’s attitude and actions are not aligned with the church/ministry core values.

4.  Conflict Blind Spots.  The conflict blind spot can cause someone to interpret every interaction through a distorted lens.

Issues become blown out of proportion, and emotions boil over.

By definition, you are blind to your blind spots. That’s why it’s so important to proactively seek to discover them. Preventing blind spots from undermining your leadership requires discipline.

How to Recognize Blind Spots

1. Be Aware.  You have them just like everyone else.  Many times, we can get the most frustrated with people who are very similar to us.

2. Be Approachable . Many people who have a high competence, also have a blind spot with regard to getting feedback that they need to hear to keep them grounded.

3. Be Accountable. Who is in your inner circle? Do they agree with you all the time? If you get defensive at everything people say, that might be a clue….

What do you need to stop doing? What do you need to do more of? What do you need to start doing?

Podcast Resources:

Leadership and the Art of Struggle by Steven Snyder

DISC Profile - Manager Tools

Amber Rhoads - Blog "Spiritual Hoarding"

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