Sheila Carmichael, a strategic advisor and Master Certified Coach, known as the "Blind Spot Strategist," discusses how leadership blind spots affect leadership presence. Carmichael describes common derailers for directors, VPs, and C-suite leaders: relying on the old competency playbook under stress, focusing on performance instead of influence, and waiting too long to speak up to avoid rocking the boat. She explains how promotions often shift scope, collaboration demands, and expectations without clear guidance, leaving leaders to "figure it out." Carmichael discusses how "nice-nasty" cultures and vague feedback widen perception gaps, and how external coaching can help through diagnostics, self-assessments, and 360 reviews (including stakeholder interviews at senior levels). She shares her signature reframing question, "What is that situation asking of you?"

Timestamps:

00:00 Show Welcome Mission

00:37 Meet Blind Spot Strategist

02:23 Top Leadership Blind Spots

05:04 Promotion Without Playbook

07:58 Why Sheila Does This

08:54 Nice Nasty Feedback

11:04 Neutral Outside Coach

16:51 How 360s Reveal Gaps

22:21 Internal vs External Coaching

25:32 Signature Question Neuroscience

29:33 Where To Find Sheila

30:24 Host Wrap Up QandA

Get In Touch:

If you're interested in connecting with Sheila Carmichael, you can reach her via her website(https://www.sheilacarmichael.com/), via Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sheilarcarmichael/), via Facebook(https://www.facebook.com/sheila.r.carmichael.2025), or via LinkedIn(https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilacarmichael/).

For those interested in sharing their own stories on "Chatting with the Experts," reach out to Paula Okonneh through her website at chattingwiththeexperts.com or connect via LinkedIn.

Dealing with Blind Spots in Leadership