Have you ever walked past a mirror and caught a glimpse of something you didn’t realize was there? A smudge on your shirt, a stray thread, or maybe a tag sticking out? It’s funny how we go about our day completely unaware of what’s behind us—because, quite literally, no one can see their own back.
And this isn’t just true physically. It’s true in life, in leadership, in the way we show up in the world.
The Blind Spots We All Have
We all have habits, patterns, and ways of being that we don’t fully recognize. We can be kind, thoughtful, and intentional—and still have areas where we unknowingly create friction or miss opportunities for growth. Because the truth is, we can’t always see ourselves clearly.
That’s why feedback is so powerful.
The Role of Feedback: Your Mirror
The people around us—our team, our friends, our partners—often see things we don’t. They see our strengths, but they also notice where we hold back, where we get stuck, or where we unintentionally create resistance. Their perspective is the mirror reflecting back to us what we can’t see on our own.
But here’s the tricky part: when someone holds up that mirror, our first instinct is often to look away.
The Ego’s First Reaction: “That’s Not Me”
I had this experience recently when someone on my team gave me feedback about my leadership. At first, my ego wasn’t happy. That little voice inside me wanted to say, “That’s not true. I’m not like that.”
But then, I sat with it. And the more I reflected, the more I realized… she was right. I was doing exactly what she pointed out. And it wasn’t about proving her wrong or justifying my actions—it was about seeing what I hadn’t been able to see before.
Growth Happens When We Choose to See
The moment we stop resisting and start listening, we unlock a new level of self-awareness. Instead of letting our ego defend us, we let our growth guide us. We realize that feedback isn’t an attack—it’s an invitation. An invitation to lead better, to love better, to live better.
So, the next time someone offers you a reflection of yourself, before dismissing it, ask:
🔹 What if this is something I need to see?
🔹 How can this make me better?
🔹 What would change if I leaned into this instead of resisting it?
Because no one can see their back. But if we’re willing to listen, we can learn to see ourselves in ways we never have before. 💡✨
With all my heart,
Salima
