The gift of illuminating our blind spots
We all have blind spots. It can be difficult to identify our own weaknesses. It is often more painful to shine a light on them. This makes sense - in nature exposing weaknesses is not the best survival strategy.
But understanding our weaknesses is a gift - it means we can work on resolving them, and get stronger. Fixing our weaknesses can sometimes have a higher return on our time and energy than focusing on what we are already good at.
In business, there is the internal audit - an investigative process to root out vulnerabilities, risks, and identify where protocols and standards are not being followed. This information can be used by management to fix these things.
We can take an internal audit-like approach to our personal growth. But in life, self-help only gets us so far. Audits are most effective when they are independent and objective. We cannot always see our own frailties, and we often fear admitting them to ourselves and others.
Arguably the most valuable people in our life are those that are willing to help us identify our own weaknesses in honest and constructive ways, and make us feel safe in the process. Often you have to work together on building that safe space - setting boundaries, rules, and guidelines.
Partners, friends, family, colleagues, and professionals that are willing and able to illuminate our blind spots should be valued.
All too often we push them away.