The Hindu Business Line : Blind spots erode credibility faster

Your behaviour might have been impressive about five years ago among a group of college students, but the same may not appeal to a boss who manages you now.

Similarly, “what brought you success as an individual contributor may not work to help you manage a group, or build relationships with a new set of peers.”

Also, “what made you successful in the corporate world is likely to be quite different from what makes you prosperous and happy in the world of the entrepreneur.” Why so? Because the meaning of success changes and reality shifts over time, reasons Claudia M. Shelton in Blind Spots ( www.wiley.com). “When we don’t recognise that shift, when we still think of success in old ways, we have blind spots.”

Nothing can erode your credibility faster than blind spots, she cautions. “While everybody else notices these distracting habits, you probably don’t see them or you underestimate their effect. Yet, they influence everything you try to do.” Five most common blind spots, according to the author, are: misused strengths (‘overusing a core strength’); old habits (‘repeated outdated behaviour’); stress expressed (in negative ways); untuned radar (leading to misreading other people’s non-verbal cues); and disconnect (or ‘how we fail to communicate’).

The diagnosis may sound disturbing, but it may be reassuring to know that you aren’t alone. We all have blind spots, says Shelton. However, it would be a folly to accept the blind spots as normal. Instead, “We can increase our level of self-awareness by asking others to help us see ourselves more clearly.”

Shelton offers a three-step plan for clear sight. First, make a model of yourself, she guides. “Examine your goals. Consider your strengths and ask yourself whether you might be overusing them for negative consequences.” Next step is to consider new possibilities. Gather information, talk with someone who knows you or who understands your situation, advises the author.

And third, take simple actions. Commit to one, two, or three actions you will take to eliminate the blind spot, she counsels. “A few simple actions implemented consistently have far more power than an elaborate plan.”

Towards clear sight, again, the book discusses five principles, beginning with ‘shift to neutral’, so that you get your bearings, as with a car.

Other principles are about imagining positive possibilities, focussing on success, stretching your strengths, and choosing with confidence. While resonance through a tuned-in radar gets you to establish your presence with others, connection engages you in relationships, explains Shelton. “Connection is more than just information sharing. It is the act of bringing ourselves to our interactions.”

Watch out: “Blind spots create the attitudes, feelings, and behaviours that block our ability to connect with other people.”

Recommended read, for a better ‘vision’.

http://BookPeek.blogspot.com