Some of the biggest corporate failures in recent history didn’t happen because the leaders were incompetent.
They happened because the leaders were confident—too confident to see what was coming.
Kodak, JCPenney, and Blackberry didn’t fall overnight.
They collapsed in slow motion, while the warning signs were right in front of them.
And that’s exactly what makes leadership blind spots so dangerous.
They don’t scream.
They whisper.
And if you’re not paying attention, they cost you everything.
Blind Spot #1: The Success Trap (Kodak)
Kodak didn’t just dominate photography—they invented digital photography in 1975.
But they buried the innovation because it threatened their film business.
They were too successful to believe the future could look different.
Lesson: Your biggest asset today could become your biggest liability tomorrow—if you cling to it too tightly.
Blind Spot #2: The Assumption Trap (JCPenney)
Retail legend Ron Johnson, the man behind Apple Stores, was hired to revive JCPenney.
He removed discounts and coupons, thinking customers would embrace a “premium” shopping experience.
They didn’t.
Revenue dropped by 25%, and the company lost nearly $1 billion.
Lesson: What worked in your last role might be completely wrong for your new one. Great leadership adapts.
Blind Spot #3: The Arrogance Trap (Blackberry)
Blackberry laughed at the iPhone.
They believed business users would never give up their physical keyboard.
They ignored touchscreens. They ignored change.
And in doing so, they wrote their own exit.
Lesson: Dismissing innovation doesn’t stop it—it just sidelines you faster.
💡 Why This Matters to You
These stories aren’t just cautionary tales for executives in skyscrapers.
They’re wake-up calls for every leader.
You don’t need to run a billion-dollar company to fall into these traps.
You just need to:
- Stick with a strategy that used to work
- Assume you’re still on track because no one’s said otherwise
- Avoid feedback because it feels uncomfortable
Sound familiar? That’s a blind spot.
So, What Might You Not Be Seeing?
Leadership blind spots don’t fix themselves.
You either learn to spot them—or you wait until they cost you trust, influence, or your next opportunity.
If you’re serious about growing as a leader—staying sharp, future-ready, and in tune with your team—I’m here to help.
Leadership blind spots don’t fix themselves.
You either learn to spot them—or you wait until they cost you trust, influence, or your next opportunity.
If you’re serious about growing as a leader—staying sharp, future-ready, and in tune with your team—I’m here to help.
📞 Book a free discovery call and let’s talk about what’s working, what’s not, and what you might be missing.
👉 Schedule your call now
🎧 Prefer to listen?: This article is based on Episode 33 of the Beyond Boss with Alica Trizma podcast – available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and YouTube.
