Chilling rain, fog, and mist—all hallmarks of Ethiopia’s rainy season, known locally as kiremt—have returned. Stretching over three months, this season often brings a rare and exquisite blend of downpours and golden sunshine. But amid its beauty, kiremt also demands caution—especially on the road.
It’s disconcerting how often one travels in minibuses completely devoid of functioning mirrors. I’ve found myself in vehicles missing all three: the rearview mirror and both side mirrors—either removed or so scratched they’re useless. Not only do they aid in parking and lane changes, but they are vital for detecting hazards and avoiding collisions.
Interestingly, car mirrors have evolved over time. While early models featured only a single side mirror—typically on the driver’s side—today, most vehicles come equipped with five mirrors. These include two small convex “blind spot” mirrors affixed to the side mirrors to help reveal areas conventional mirrors miss.
The idea of a “blind spot” originated in biology. It refers to the point on the retina where the optic nerve connects—an area devoid of light-sensitive cells. Fortunately, because each eye compensates for the other’s gap, most people never notice this physiological defect.
But the metaphor doesn’t stop at biology or traffic safety. In professional life, we all have blind spots—flaws in behavior, communication, or leadership we fail to recognize, often to our detriment. These habits, shaped by bias or unchecked assumptions, can subtly erode team morale or efficiency without us even realizing.
I know this from experience.
Years ago, a team member gave me candid feedback: I came across as rude and aggressive in speech and gesture. I was, ironically, in charge of communications at the time. Rather than accept the critique with grace, I mounted a full defense of myself—rationalizing and deflecting. Looking back, it was a failure of self-awareness and leadership.
Directness is often lauded in managerial circles for being efficient. But unfiltered communication can easily slip into abrasiveness. As Careerminds, a leadership consultancy, points out, such blind spots—especially around communication style—are among the most common and damaging. A blunt tone may unintentionally demoralize employees, foster resentment, and create a toxic work environment.
Blind spots exist not just in individuals but in institutions too. I recently glanced through a suggestion book at a local bank. Dozens of entries revealed customer frustrations and recommendations—valuable insights into service gaps the management may have otherwise missed. Encouragingly, the bank had responded to many of them, either with corrective measures or clear explanations. Feedback, when acknowledged, becomes a mirror that helps an organization see itself more clearly.
This principle holds true everywhere—from homes and workplaces to boardrooms and bureaucracies. Relationships, whether personal or professional, cannot flourish without the courage to give and receive feedback. The maturity to hear criticism without defensiveness—and to change accordingly—is perhaps the purest sign of strength. Conversely, the fear of criticism often masks a dangerous desire to be liked at all costs.
We are all fallible. The only difference lies in the shape and scale of our imperfections. And history is full of cautionary tales of those who, in their eagerness to please or avoid blame, sacrificed integrity and invited ruin.
Disregarding feedback is a choice. At best, it means stagnating in a state of dysfunction. At worst, it’s tacit consent for things to deteriorate further. During a long stretch of my life, I lived in relative isolation, disconnected from the world and cut off from critique. Now, I view feedback as the best free remedy against self-delusion—against the vanity that precedes pride, “the root of all evil.”
Humility is often mistaken for self-deprecation. But true humility lies not in belittling oneself, but in maintaining composure and affection even toward those who challenge us. “It is not he who depreciates himself who shows humility… but he who maintains the same love for the very man who reproaches him.” Anyone can bear offense. Only the truly wise can survive praise without corruption.
Just as automotive technology has evolved to reduce road accidents—through blind-spot detectors, digital rearview systems, and better weather visibility—we must evolve in our ability to accept honest reflection from others. Feedback, whether from friend or critic, is a mirror we cannot afford to ignore.
William Ury, the famed negotiator and author of Getting to Yes, once wrote that the greatest obstacle in any negotiation is often not the other party—but ourselves. Recognizing our blind spots is the first step to seeing more clearly.
In work and in life, let us welcome those who hold up a mirror—not as adversaries, but as guides. After all, it’s not just visibility that prevents crashes. It’s the courage to look.
Contributed by Selamawit Kidane
