A leader has many factors to consider to run a business smoothly and successfully. Yet there is something that many top leaders forget that can dampen growth if they are not careful—business blind spots.
Everyone, including world wide leaders, is susceptible to blind spots. The goal is to catch them early, and it takes both self-awareness and intentional practice. The problem in identifying blind spots often comes down to not having enough self-awareness to see your own biases clearly.
Are you someone who thinks you don’t have bias? Think again. Weaknesses cultivate blind spots, and everyone is susceptible. The first step in identifying your own blind spots is to look within. Just know, such honest feedback – or self-discovery – is conducive to personal and professional growth. And when you grow, so does your business. (Win, win!)
Dangers of Blind Spots in Business
No matter how hard you try, personal biases will always impact business decisions. Be careful, though, because business blind spots can take many forms. There are significant dangers that can sabotage your company’s growth, including:
- Ineffective/ poor communication
- Neglecting to outsource
- Inefficient workflows
- Weak goal setting
- Inability to adapt or change
- Deficient employee appreciation
3 Strategies To Prevent Business Blind Spots
How do you detect these blind spots and stop them from causing harm to your business? We have outlined three strategies to bring blind spots into the light and prevent them from hindering your company’s performance.
#1 Culture Accountability
Does your company uphold any particular culture of accountability? Meaning, is every employee held to the same standard regarding making a mistake or reaching an achievement? If there is no consistency in culture accountability, the foundation of the business is already rocky; and blind spots have already begun to take place. Show the team what is acceptable and what is not in a healthy and consistent way with accountability practices, and watch the results.
#2 Be Transparent
Oftentimes, a lack of transparency in the workplace can lead to blind spots. Transparency is key to uncovering biases because it puts truth into the light. Begin adopting the notion that “no idea is off the table” and see what your team says or does with that type of freedom. Honest communication is the way to lead and keep things running smoothly among the team.
#3 Effective Systems
Your business needs sustainable and effective systems in place to eliminate potential blind spots. Internal and external systems must be up-to-date. Take the time to evaluate and get everything up to par. Ask your team to complete a “systems check,” which will help to identify any weak points in the system, including blind spots. With this information, you can make a sound judgment on what to improve and when it’s time to rework a system altogether.
Improve Company Culture Today
Don’t wait to take action and dig deep into these issues. Blind spots will emerge no matter how careful you might be, which is why it is essential to stay on top of what you can control. Follow the above steps, bring in people with diverse backgrounds, and watch your company grow.
Do you have more questions about how to avoid business blind spots? Contact BOAR today and expand your knowledge around leadership workplace strategies.