The nature of identifying blind spots is that you often need different perspectives to address them. You either need to adjust your own position or allow others to see and communicate what you can’t.

My family and I love RV camping, and anytime I’m pulling the camper or backing it into a spot, I need my wife’s help to monitor my blind spots. She gets out of the truck and directs me while I back up. When I’m driving down the highway, I have to lean far out of my comfortable position to check for cars before changing lanes or turning. If I don’t adjust—or worse, ignore those blind spots—I can cause harm to myself or others.

We all have blind spots in our personal, professional, and spiritual lives. And if we don’t make adjustments or allow others to help us, we risk causing harm to our mission, ourselves, and others.

Blind spots in life are much harder to identify than those on the road. They build up slowly, and when left unchecked, they can either cause harm or limit our growth. You may have blind spots in your marriage, your leadership, your faith, or your career. Some are more dangerous than others.

Blind spots are usually caused by pride, ignorance, busyness, or avoidance. Pride convinces us that we already see clearly and don’t need correction. Ignorance keeps us unaware that something is even missing. Busyness distracts us with noise and movement, leaving no time for reflection or self-evaluation. And avoidance makes us turn away from the things we’d rather not confront. Each one clouds our vision in a different way, and together they create blind spots that can quietly grow until they limit our effectiveness and harm the people around us.

In our professional lives, we often focus on the areas we enjoy or feel confident in—while quietly avoiding the areas we don’t. Over time, those ignored areas become blind spots.

Some blind spots are easy to fix with training or information. For example, in my career in education and as a campus leader, there are countless areas I need to understand. I’ve always been strong in data, STAAR testing, and accountability. However, when it came to CTE (Career and Technical Education), I had a huge blind spot. I ignored it during my first year as an administrator, and that lack of awareness limited my effectiveness. I then starting researching and going to trainings ti better understand the CTE world.

Others are harder because they challenge our character or ego—they reveal insecurities we’ve tried to hide, habits we’ve justified, or attitudes we didn’t realize were hurting others. These blind spots force us to confront the uncomfortable truth that growth often begins where our pride ends.

If you’ve built a strong team or have mentors you trust, use them to help you see what you can’t. Ask questions like:

Be warned—real answers can sting. You’re not looking for affirmation; you’re looking for truth.

I’ll never forget a moment when a teacher came to me with an issue that was important to her. I listened briefly, gave a few quick solutions, and moved on. Later, a trusted colleague told me that the teacher felt unheard and that I seemed distracted and rushed. That feedback stung because I truly respected and valued that teacher and I realized I did some damage to the team. 

It didn’t matter what I intended—what mattered was how I made her feel. Since then, I’ve made it a priority to shut my door, take notes, and stay fully engaged during meetings. If I’m too busy, I’ll say, “I want to give this the attention it deserves. Would you rather briefly talk now, or schedule a time when I can focus completely?”

(For more on this, I go into greater depth in my book 100 Failures as a New Leader linked below.

Addressing personal blind spots can be even harder. Asking a coworker for feedback is one thing—but asking your spouse is another.

I remember a leadership training where we were challenged to ask our spouse, “What’s one thing about me that gets in the way of us?” Tough question. And the rule was you couldn’t get them to ask it back. The goal wasn’t mutual critique, but humility and self improvement.

It’s not a question for a rocky marriage or a prideful heart. This may allow your spouse to tee off on all the pet peeves they have about you over the years. But it’s powerful. It teaches you to listen, to process feedback, and to grow.

Once again, ask with caution……

You can apply this principle in friendships too:

Even with kids, feedback can open your eyes. Ask:

When it comes to faith, blind spots can be the hardest to see—because they often hide behind good intentions.

In Christianity, blind spots usually fall somewhere between legalism and complacency. On one end, some believe their works or behavior earn God’s favor. On the other, some receive the free gift of salvation and then do nothing with it.

Both are blind spots—one rooted in pride, the other in passivity.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” — James 2:26

If we believe we must work our way into heaven, we’ve missed grace. If we believe grace means we don’t have to act, we’ve missed obedience.

Even strong believers can fall into avoidance. The Bible says, “When you fast…” (Matthew 6:16), not if. Yet few do. It says, “Do not be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:6), yet worry consumes many. It says, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), but most of us pray briefly or sporadically. It says, “Go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19), yet few can name who they’re discipling right now.

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” — Psalm 139:23–24
“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” — Proverbs 28:13
“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” — Psalm 119:130

I’m not saying this to condemn anyone. I am writing this in conviction of myself. I’m saying it because blind spots keep us from living the life God intends. They don’t change our salvation, but they do limit our effectiveness and fulfillment.

God chooses to use us to advance His Kingdom, but that requires humility—acknowledging where we fall short and allowing the Holy Spirit to refine us.

“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” — Revelation 3:19
“For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:9–11

You have blind spots. Nobody sees everything with perfect clarity. The question isn’t whether they exist, it’s whether you’re driven enough to face them, humble enough to ask about them, and courageous enough to change because of them.

The goal isn’t to fix every blind spot at once, it’s to become aware of them and create systems to address them honestly.

In your career, you need to build a team around you that can give open and honest feedback. They have perspectives that you don't. This could be surveys, meetings, and conversations as needed. You have to be approachable, you have to listen, and you have to change because of their feedback. 

In your personal life, you have to check your ego and bite your tongue. You are asking because you want to improve for the sake of the relationship you are in. This shouldn't turn into an argument with your spouse on who works harder for the family or deserves more “me time”. This shouldn't turn into a lesson on how your kids should be more grateful. This is for you to improve for them. Period. 

In faith, you are becoming who God has called you to be. This is the sanctification process where you become more like Jesus and less like you. That means seeking spiritual mentors, joining community, and creating safe spaces for accountability. It means asking the hard questions, being open to correction, and allowing God’s Word to shape your response.

The process isn’t for God’s benefit—He already knows our blind spots—it’s for ours. It’s so we can live more freely, love more deeply, and glorify Him more fully in the purpose we were created for.