How to Overcome Leadership Blindness: The Challenge of Seeing Differently

Lessons from the backstage

Leadership lessons from the backstage

The world of business mimics that of entertainment. Both artists and top executives have two lives. The one glamorous of success and perfection; and the other one human, vulnerable, the life behind the scenes.

“What you don’t see backstage is what really controls the show.” — Sarah Sutton

Most articles about ‘why leaders see differently’ present a Hollywoodesque version of their sharp vision. By portraying it as something that sets leaders apart from the rest, they miss the downside.

It’s precisely that superpower that can make top executives myopic or even blind them.

Let’s go behind the curtains of glorified corporate videos and business books: what really controls the show.

Understanding The 80% / 20% Vision

“Lead from the back — and let others believe they are in front.” — Nelson Mandela

I’m lucky enough to have frequent access to the backstage of several organizations. Fortune 500 or Startups. US or Foreign. I’ve learned a lot from observing leaders …