What are your credibility blind spots?

Imagine driving down the highway at 60 miles per hour, and you're quickly approaching your exit and needing to change lanes. You signal, check your side mirror, and move over out of nowhere. You hear a loud horn and quickly counter-correct the car, hoping you don't wreck. All the while, a car out of nowhere whips by. It's then that you realize a car was in your blind spot, but you couldn't see.

If the same holds true for our influence, we feel confident and credible until the day comes when we are passed over for a promotion or opportunity because of bad habits sitting in our blind spot. How we feel and how others perceive us often don't match; perhaps we unknowingly forget, causing others to doubt our confidence; maybe our lack of brevity casts doubts on our credibility.

Here are three steps to improve your blind spot:

1. First, record yourself and see how others perceive you this week. Record yourself in a meeting or a phone call immediately; watch the playback, note what needs improving and correct it in your following conversation.

2. Second, ask for feedback on the blaring horn that prompts you to course-correct. Find someone you trust to provide honest feedback on what they see and perceive; commit to working on improving just one skill in each conversation every day.

3. Third, be accountable. Accountability tools such as workplace partners make us 65% more likely to achieve our goals. Find a coach or mentor who will keep you accountable each week. Avoid letting your career be blindsided; look for your vulnerabilities and commit to improvement to keep your influence in the right lane.