Over the holidays, my mum came to visit. She lives in another state, so while we talk often, we don’t usually spend long stretches of time together. But when you live with someone even just for a week you start to notice things you wouldn’t otherwise see.

At first, I went about my usual routine, assuming things would flow as they always had. But as the days passed, I started to notice subtle shifts not in her, but in me. I assumed she’d be comfortable in my space the way I was, but I realised she hesitated before asking for help, careful not to disrupt my routine. I thought I knew what she liked and how she moved through her day, but I had to adjust whether it was how we structured meals, the pace of our mornings, or even how we spent our evenings. It wasn’t that she was holding back; it was that I hadn’t been paying close enough attention.

This experience made me realise how easy it is to default to assumptions to think we know how things are working, when in reality, we might be missing what’s right in front of us. And that’s exactly what happens in leadership. If we don’t actively tune in, we risk making decisions based on outdated assumptions rather than the real needs of our teams.

Leaders face the same challenge. When you’re focused on tasks, outcomes, and deadlines, it’s easy to assume you know your team. But just like I did with my mum, you might be missing key things small signs of disengagement, frustration, or untapped potential.

The key to rebuilding trust and inspiring your team is presence and curiosity. Not the kind of presence that sits in back-to-back meetings but the kind that listens, observes, and truly sees the people around you.

Here’s where to start:

✅ Check your assumptions – Ask, “What am I not seeing?” and listen deeply.

✅ Be where your people are – Walk the floor, have casual check-ins, and watch for what’s not being said.

✅ Empower rather than assume – Instead of thinking you know best, ask your team what they need.

Blind spots are only a problem if we refuse to look. Are you willing to see what’s really happening in your team?