All CEOs have blind spots.
The toxic ones pretend not to.
Great leaders seek them out.
Because they understand true leadership
isn’t about safeguarding their ego.
It’s about safeguarding their people.
10 blind spots that push your best talent away:
Avoiding Conflict
↳ Every “not now” conversation becomes tomorrow’s crisis.
↳ Address issues head-on, don’t hope they disappear.
No Growth Path
↳ High performers need challenges like plants need sunlight.
↳ Without opportunities, they’ll go elsewhere to grow.
Micromanagement
↳ Micromanagement is fear disguised as efficiency.
↳ Trust your team to deliver; they’ll surpass your expectations.
Ignoring Feedback
↳ Dismissing input sends the message: “Your ideas don’t matter.”
↳ Ideas can come from anywhere. Make room for every voice.
Overloading Top Performers
↳ Rewarding excellence with overload accelerates burnout.
↳ Don’t let your best people suffer for their success.
Favoritism
↳ Playing favorites may drive short-term wins but erodes long-term culture.
↳ Create a level playing field: equal opportunity, equal accountability.
No Clear Vision
↳ Work without meaning leads to disengagement.
↳ Tie daily tasks to a larger purpose. Highlight their impact.
Inconsistent Leadership
↳ When everything is urgent, nothing is.
↳ Keep your focus on what matters.
Work-Life Neglect
↳ An “always on” culture produces “always looking” employees.
↳ Respect boundaries like they’re part of your bottom line.
No Recognition
↳ When exceptional becomes expected, motivation fades.
↳ Show your talent their impact is seen.
The truth?
Most leaders don’t recognize these blind spots until an exit interview.
Ask yourself:
👉 “Do I make my team feel valued?”
👉 “Am I helping them grow?”
👉 “Do I listen to understand or to respond?”
Because awareness isn’t just the first step.
It’s the most critical one.
Design an environment where success occurs naturally.
Kenrick Vaz 