Unveiling Leadership Blind Spots: Martin Dubin on Self-Awareness, Identity, and Authenticity

This week on the Do Good to Lead Well podcast I am joined by Martin Dubin, a seasoned clinical psychologist and business coach. We discuss his recently released book, "Blindspotting: How to See What's Holding You Back as a Leader." Martin's rich experience with 360-degree feedback highlights how a leader's strengths can sometimes inadvertently become weaknesses and why a heightened self-awareness is key in maintaining a balanced approach.

We also tackle the complex web of unconscious biases and leadership blind spots, identifying six specific types that can impact our effectiveness. This engaging discussion anchors itself in a psychological model focused on the core motives driving behavior, with special attention to the needs for power, affiliation, and achievement. Martin touches on identity blind spots, where a disconnect between one's role and self-perception can create challenges, especially during transitions from individual contributor roles to managerial positions. He emphasizes the necessity of adapting one's identity to align with evolving roles and responsibilities.

Finally, we tackle the emotional aspects of leadership, addressing the significance of emotional awareness for leadership success. A key skill is learning how to accurately identify and label a wide range of emotions. Martin and I also discuss the SBI (Situation, Behavior, Impact) framework, a powerful approach for promoting a culture of feedback and personal growth. The episode wraps up with an important discussion on the importance of authenticity and storytelling in leadership, providing valuable reflections and insights for leaders seeking to foster connections and drive positive change.

What You’ll Learn

- The delicate balance of strengths and weaknesses

- Unconscious biases and six types of leadership blind spots

- Identity transitions and redefining roles

- Raising our emotional awareness and regulation

- The interplay between imposter syndrome and authenticity

- The power of the SBI framework

Podcast Timestamps

(00:00) – A Deep Exploration of Leadership Blind Spots

(10:36) – The Six Types of Leadership Blind Spots

(22:04) - Recognizing and Regulating Emotions in Leadership

(29:00) - Navigating Imposter Syndrome and Authenticity

(35:18) – The Importance of Identity Alignment

(45:22) – Entrepreneurial Blind Spots

KEYWORDS

Positive Leadership, Blind Spots, Self-Awareness, Leveraging Strengths, Managing Weaknesses, Unconscious Bias, Emotional Intelligence, Identity, Imposter Syndrome, Authenticity, Emotional Awareness, Culture of Feedback, Instilling Trust, Entrepreneurship, The Power of Storytelling, CEO Success