Exploring Leadership Blindspots in HR: Three Conversations on Growth and Culture

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of joining three outstanding podcasts that speak directly to Human Resource and talent development leaders. Each conversation reminded me that HR is not just about managing people and policies—it’s about shaping cultures where leaders and employees alike can thrive. At the heart of that work are blindspots: the hidden patterns and overextended strengths that keep even the most capable leaders from reaching their full potential.

Tweak Your Blindspots on The Accidental Trainer

On ATD’s The Accidental Trainer, I spoke with Lisa Spinelli about how leaders can discover and address blindspots before they derail performance. We explored how the very qualities that make us effective—confidence, curiosity, drive—can also create vulnerabilities when left unchecked. For HR professionals, this is especially relevant: you’re often the ones guiding leaders to self-awareness, helping them refine strengths without letting those strengths turn into liabilities.

Six Blindspots to Avoid on Career Contessa

I then joined the team at Career Contessa to dig into the six most common leadership blindspots I’ve seen in my coaching and clinical work. We discussed why high performers are often the most blind, and how HR leaders can intervene early with frameworks and conversations that promote growth. Blindspots around identity, feedback, and interpersonal dynamics don’t just affect leaders—they cascade down to teams. For HR professionals, recognizing these patterns is a powerful lever for building healthier, more effective workplaces.

Saying Yes, And on Second City Works: Getting to Yes, And

Finally, I had the chance to appear on Second City Works’ Getting to Yes, And. This conversation centered on the cultural dimensions of blindspots: how they play out in group dynamics, decision-making, and organizational resilience. For HR leaders, this is where blindspot awareness becomes culture change. By helping leaders see themselves clearly, HR professionals enable organizations to embrace more adaptive, human-centered practices that drive both performance and well-being.

Why This Matters for HR Leaders

These three conversations underscored a simple truth: HR leaders are on the front lines of blindspot management. Whether you’re guiding a high-potential manager, reshaping a leadership pipeline, or stewarding culture during times of change, your ability to help others see what they cannot see in themselves is invaluable.

Blindspotting: How to See What’s Holding You Back as a Leader is my contribution to this dialogue, but the real breakthroughs happen in practice—in the one-on-one coaching sessions, the candid performance reviews, and the brave cultural shifts HR leaders foster every day.

If you’re leading in HR, I encourage you to listen to these episodes. My hope is that they spark reflection, dialogue, and ultimately, more resilient leadership in your organization.

‍

You can watch the "Getting to Yes, And" podcast on YouTube above....

‍