BETTER DECISIONS UNDER PRESSURE

 

Seeing What You Can’t See:
How Other People Reveal Your Blind Spots

THE TRAP

When facing high-pressure decisions, leaders get trapped: surrounded by people who tell them what they want to hear, seeking information that confirms what they already believe. The higher you rise, the harder it becomes to get the truth.

THE INSIGHT

Trusted relationships don't just support you—they expand your thinking when you need it most.

Research shows that relationships built on mutual trust and respect lead to better decisions. Empowering another person to hold you accountable and expand your perspective gives you more than a supportive ally—it creates space to explore doubts and make better choices.


PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The purpose of this program is to strengthen decision quality, especially under pressure. Leaders learn to identify and cultivate relationships with people who will challenge their thinking rather than simply support their position—and develop the skills to actually hear and integrate that feedback.

This isn't about finding devil's advocates or inviting criticism. It's about building trusted voices: people who care enough about you to tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.

THE FOUR-PART FRAMEWORK

Part 1: Get to Know Your Trusted Voices

Identify 2-3 people using specific criteria: Does this person demonstrate consistent ethical behavior? Does our relationship encourage principled action even when difficult?

The goal is identifying colleagues who will help you see clearly rather than simply support your position.

Part 2: Examine Your Blind Spots

Before important decisions, assess:

  • What assumptions am I unconsciously accepting?

  • Am I seeking input or validation?

  • Where might my reputation be wrapped up in this outcome?

This helps detect hidden assumptions, especially when you're most confident.

Part 3: Request Honest Challenge

Reach out to a trusted voice: describe your situation and current thinking, then state clearly, "I'm hoping you'll challenge my thinking rather than support my position."

This creates explicit permission for genuine dialogue.

Part 4: Integrate What You Learn

Pay attention to what feels most threatening—this often signals important blind spots. Ask yourself: What patterns emerge? How can I separate ego from analysis?

This transforms confirmation-seeking into truth-seeking.

 
 

WHAT LEADERS GAIN

 

AWARENESS OF HIDDEN ASSUMPTIONS

Learn to notice unexamined beliefs and personal attachments that shape your thinking—especially the assumptions you don't know you're making.

RELATIONSHIPS THAT EXPAND YOUR PERSPECTIVE

Cultivate connections with people who will challenge you constructively, not just cheer you on. Know how to identify them, develop them, and activate them when stakes are high.

SEPARATION OF EGO FROM ANALYSIS

Recognize when your need to be right interferes with getting it right. Develop the capacity to hear hard truths without defensiveness.

 

 PROGRAM DELIVERY

This program can be delivered as:

  • Half-day workshop (3-4 hours) — Introduction to the framework with initial application

  • Full-day intensive (6-7 hours) — Deep practice with peer feedback and action planning

  • Executive coaching integration — Framework woven into ongoing 1:1 leadership coaching

All formats include practical tools and concrete next steps.

Ready to See What You Can’t See?

The leaders who make the best decisions aren't the smartest ones in the room.
They're the ones who've built relationships that help them see what they're missing.

SCHEDULE A CONVERSATION
We'll discuss your situation and whether this program is the right fit.

BOOK YOUR COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION

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