July 29, 2025
Press

Big Think Excerpt: How McClelland’s 3 Universal Motives Can Illuminate Your Blindspots

Big Think has published an exclusive excerpt from Blindspotting, exploring how your hidden motivations shape your leadership — and may be quietly sabotaging your results.

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An excerpt from Blindspotting explores how hidden motives shape — and sometimes sabotage — your success.

Drawing on the work of Harvard psychologist David McClelland, I break down the three universal human motives — achievement, affiliation, and power — and how our unconscious prioritization of these drivers can become blindspots. Take Robert, a brilliant founder who keeps launching inspiring companies… and losing millions. Why? His deepest motive isn’t profit — and that has consequences.

Read the full excerpt to learn how uncovering your own motive blindspots can help you lead more intentionally — and more effectively.


Read on Big Think

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Martin Dubin

Entrepreneur, Writer and Speaker

Martin Dubin is a clinical psychologist turned serial entrepreneur and trusted adviser to C-suite leaders and Silicon Valley founders. He’s built multimillion-dollar companies, led as CEO, and coached hundreds of senior executives at Fortune 500s and top venture-backed startups.

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This groundbreaking book bridges psychology and executive coaching to help you uncover hidden patterns, break through limitations, and lead with greater clarity.

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