Episode recap  

In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Martin Dubin — a clinical psychologist turned entrepreneur and executive coach — to unpack the blind spots that quietly sabotage leaders. Marty’s journey from therapy rooms to boardrooms shaped his book Blindspotting, where he helps executives see what they can’t see about themselves. We dug into why even the smartest leaders miss their own patterns, how to build self-awareness without beating yourself up, and why humility and small shifts matter more than big transformations. 

Key Insights: 

BIO:

Martin Dubin is a clinical psychologist, serial entrepreneur, business coach, and adviser to C-suite executives and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. He founded several companies, including a multimillion-dollar health care company where he also served as CEO. A former coach at the Center for Creative Leadership and a partner at talent firm RHR International, he worked directly with hundreds of C-suite senior executives from Fortune 500 companies and with Silicon Valley venture capital firms and their portfolio companies. 

Quotes: 

Takeaways: 

Timestamps: 

[00:00] Marcel’s intro: why what used to work in leadership suddenly stops working

[02:40] Marty’s story from clinical psychologist to entrepreneur to executive coach 

[07:20] The spark behind Blind Spotting and why entrepreneurs reveal raw blind spots 

[09:06] Why is it so hard for leaders to see their own blind spots 

[11:31] The six blind spot areas and the “target” model are explained 

[13:15] Identity blind spots and the pain of transitioning into new roles 

[16:12] Traits, emotions, and intellect as hard-to-change parts of our wiring 

[20:37] Emotional blind spots, EQ, and using feelings strategically at work 

[22:41] Different kinds of intellect and how over-reliance on smarts backfires 

[27:49] Motives at the center: power, achievement, affiliation, and values 

[32:30] How stress distorts motives and narrows our leadership choices 

[33:16] A simple exercise to find blind spots by adding “too” to your strengths 

[34:17] Why sustainable growth comes from small behavioral tweaks, not wholesale reinvention 

[35:13] Speed round: what makes Marty smile, big life lessons, and hopes for the future 

[37:45] Leading with love by accepting yourself and using what you have 

[38:16] Final takeaway: start somewhere small and let self-awareness do its work 

Conclusion: 

This conversation reminds us that leadership is fundamentally an inside job. Blind spots are not signs of failure but evidence that we are human, shaped by patterns, histories, and motives we do not always see. By understanding identity shifts, naming our traits and emotional patterns, and getting honest about what truly drives us, we gain more choice in how we show up. Rather than chasing dramatic transformation, Marty urges leaders to embrace small, focused behavioral changes—asking more questions, listening longer, or dialing down an overused strength. Over time, those small tweaks compound into deeper authenticity, healthier relationships, and more effective, human-centered leadership. 

Links/Resources: 

Website: https://www.martindubin.com/   

Blind Spotting assessment and resources: https://www.blindspotting.com/  

Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRZFK8J6?tag=bk00010a-20&th=1&psc=1&geniuslink=true