Thought Economics: The Psychology of Leadership and the Blind Spots That Hold Us Back
I had the pleasure of speaking with Vikas Shah for Thought Economics, where we explored the deeper psychological forces that shape leadership—and how blind spots can quietly limit our impact. Vikas brings intellectual curiosity and nuance to every conversation, and I was honored to be part of his long-running series of in-depth interviews.
On strengths, self-deception, and the emotional cost of leadership
In our conversation, we covered the paradox of strengths becoming liabilities, why so many leaders resist feedback, and how identity struggles can derail growth. Vikas asked sharp, thoughtful questions that pushed the conversation beyond theory into real-world leadership challenges—including the hidden emotional toll that many high-achieving professionals carry silently.
We also talked about the science behind Blindspotting—from McClelland’s motivational theory to the six-part framework I use with clients—and how psychological insight can lead to more authentic, adaptive leadership. It’s a wide-ranging interview that I hope brings new clarity to anyone navigating complexity at the top.
