Read more about the article Leadership Feedback: 3 Powerful Ways to Uncover Blind Spots and Accelerate Your Growth

Leadership Feedback: 3 Powerful Ways to Uncover Blind Spots and Accelerate Your Growth

In my years as an executive coach, I've worked with many leaders - some at the top of their field, others newer to their roles - who have one thing in common: something, often invisible, is holding them back from reaching their full potential. Sometimes, it's a habit, a belief, or simply a blind spot they can't see on their own. Take a moment to think about the best leader you've worked with. What set them apart? Was it their infectious optimism, the way they united people behind a vision, or how they encouraged you to stretch well beyond what you thought possible? That's the kind of leadership we remember. But here's the truth I often see: even the most admired leaders still have room to grow. What distinguishes the best isn't perfection - it's their willingness to keep learning and evolving. Sometimes, areas for improvement are readily apparent, but more often, they're hidden, yet impacting everything from team morale to business results. The good news? Being curious and willing to listen, you can uncover those blind spots and use them to drive your personal growth. So, where are you now in your leadership journey? Are you actively seeking feedback, or maybe you've received some surprising comments you're not sure what to do with? You may sense there's more you could be but haven't quite figured out what's standing in your way. Here's what I've learned: introspection matters but real progress begins when you invite feedback from others—the people who see you lead every day. That's where fundamental transformation starts. Blind Spots:  Hidden Opportunities for Leadership Growth Blind spots are just parts of ourselves we can't see. I've worked with leaders who thought they were being crystal clear but whose teams felt uninformed. Others considered themselves decisive but were seen as impulsive by some colleagues. Recognising these gaps in perception is the first step to becoming an even stronger leader. Research from the Center for Creative Leadership shows that most leaders - at least half - have one prominent blind spot affecting their work (CCL, 2020). So, you are not alone in this journey of self-discovery and growth! Korn Ferry categorises blind spots into three buckets: trouble connecting with others, difficulty inspiring or developing people, and having a narrow focus rather than seeing the big picture. No matter where your blind spot lands, recognising it is already a leap forward. If you want to keep growing - and help your team do the same - the most effective move is to ask for feedback from those who work alongside you every day. The Power of 360-Degree Feedback So, how do you uncover what you don't know? That's where 360-degree feedback comes in. It's one of the most powerful tools I use with my clients. By gathering insights from your direct reports, peers, manager, customers and others, you gain an honest and empowering picture of your leadership impact. The Johari Window is a great model for this: it's a four-box model…

Continue ReadingLeadership Feedback: 3 Powerful Ways to Uncover Blind Spots and Accelerate Your Growth
Read more about the article Strategic Moves for Leaders at Career Crossroads: Navigating Your Next Steps

Strategic Moves for Leaders at Career Crossroads: Navigating Your Next Steps

As an executive coach who has guided senior leaders through career transitions for over a decade, I've noticed a common theme: even the most accomplished executives experience times when their career path is unclear, and they are unsure of their next steps. So if you're feeling this way, you are not alone. Perhaps you've mastered your current job or the challenges that once ignited your passion no longer spark excitement. On the other hand, you may simply be ready for a new chapter in your career. This isn't a time to lose momentum. It's an indicator of your next growth phase and a signal to recalibrate who you are as a leader, your unique value proposition, and your aspirations. Navigating Career Crossroads Career renewal is an exciting journey and one well worth taking! You need a proven process to guide you through your options as you creatively explore all perspectives and possibilities. Here are some suggestions for that process: 1. Press Pause, Don't Pull the Plug Before making any moves, create space for strategic reflection. Block out regular time each week and treat this commitment with the same importance as a crucial board meeting. Use this time to: Write notes on your peak professional moments over the years. Identify the challenges that have most energised and motivated you. List the tasks that absorb your attention and cause you to lose track of time. Note the aspects of past jobs that drained your energy. 2. Take Stock, Assess Your Capabilities Map out your career's load-bearing walls—the core competencies, relationships, and achievements that have enabled your success. Ask yourself: What are my most significant strengths? What limitations do I have, and how have I worked around them? How broad and active is my network, and who are my strongest advocates? Where do my expertise and market opportunities intersect? 3. Create Your Personal Job Scorecard Create a personal scorecard for evaluating career options. Think of it as 'reverse recruitment': you're setting the criteria for the job that best suits you. Review the following: What were the major sources of job satisfaction for you in past roles? How can your experience enable you to add value in a new position? Which emerging industry trends intrigue you most? Are there personal circumstances that will influence your choices? 4. Uncover Hidden Opportunities When you clearly understand what you need from your next role, focus on gathering information and insights that will lead you to new opportunities. Be courageous during this discovery phase: Connect with your network in fresh ways, seeking inspiration and diverse viewpoints. Join advisory boards or mentor startups for exposure to new industries and business models. Expand your horizons by attending conferences and workshops outside your current field. Consider enriching your skill set via executive education programs tailored to your interests. 5. Think Outside the Traditional Job Box Career paths are evolving as the nature of work itself continues to change. More executives opt for a "portfolio career" instead of long-term employment. Flexibility, multiple…

Continue ReadingStrategic Moves for Leaders at Career Crossroads: Navigating Your Next Steps
Read more about the article Leading with Purpose: From Intent to Impact with 4 Strategies for Success

Leading with Purpose: From Intent to Impact with 4 Strategies for Success

Have you ever been caught off guard when someone misinterpreted something you said or did? It's not a comfortable feeling, is it? As a purpose driven leader, you most likely aim for authenticity and clarity in your communications. Yet, despite your best intentions, others may not perceive your words or actions in the way you meant them. This disconnect is known as the intent-impact gap. In this context, intent refers to the "why" - the purpose or motivation behind a communication or action. On the other hand, impact is the "what" - the actual effect it has on people. When these two elements don't align, negative consequences can arise. Think of the leader who decided to set ambitious goals to inspire their team, only to find that team members felt overwhelmed and stressed. In this situation, trust and teamwork suffered, putting positive results at risk. Reasons for the gap The gap between a leader's intentions and their impact can stem from several factors, including unclear messaging, a lack of vision and direction and the absence of clear metrics for success. A leader's emotional intelligence (or lack of!) also shapes how their messages are received and interpreted. Those who fail to seek and act on feedback miss chances to bridge this gap and adapt to new challenges and opportunities. The gap can widen if cultural or contextual differences exist, the workplace doesn't encourage collaboration, or there is a general resistance to change. Strategies for Leading with Purpose In our coaching practice, we've observed leaders that consistently employ four effective strategies to maximise their influence: Enhance Communication Using clear, concise language and actively checking for understanding helps avoid misinterpretation. For example, instead of saying, "We need to ramp up sales", a leader might say, "We need to increase revenue by 15 per cent next quarter. Do you think this is realistic, and do you anticipate any challenges?" This approach clarifies the goal and invites open dialogue within the team. Feedback Mechanisms Implementing systems for regular feedback enables team members to express their perceptions of a leader's words and actions. We have seen leaders use anonymous surveys to gather feedback on their leadership style and their team's perception of their work environment. This information helps leaders to identify misalignment between their intent and impact, allowing for timely course corrections and choosing better ways to energise and engage their teams. Trust and Rapport Leaders must cultivate a safe environment to ensure open, honest and truthful communication. Consider a leader who prioritises informal one-on-one check-ins with team members on individual concerns and well-being, not simply discussing work tasks. In this way, the leader shows they value each individual, creating a sense of community and a more cohesive, supportive work culture. Self-Reflection Regular reflection is essential for evaluating the alignment of intent and impact. Leaders who take a few moments after each meeting to consider how people perceive their messages ask themselves: "Did I clearly articulate my expectations? Did I listen and respond appropriately to reactions?"…

Continue ReadingLeading with Purpose: From Intent to Impact with 4 Strategies for Success