Founders’ Blind Spots: Why Loving Your Creation Can Cloud Good Judgment

Creative people, problem-solvers, and leaders are rightly proud of what they build. But this pride can morph into tunnel vision: a founder’s belief in their creation can crowd out objectivity. In businesses, this is called the “founder’s dilemma.” The same trap shows up in art, parenting, education, or community projects, where attachment to the original idea blinds us to needed change, or to flaws visible to everyone else.

A founder who built a company on strong values and a personal touch felt those traits slipping away as growth accelerated. Yet, when some team members suggested radical changes—cutting an unpopular menu item, revamping the training—he resisted, seeing the criticism as an attack on his vision. Only by inviting outsiders, and listening even when their feedback stung, was he able to spot the holes. In the process, painful but crucial decisions emerged that revitalized the brand and kept it from fading into irrelevance.

Behavioral researchers have confirmed that founders, parents, and creative teams need regular doses of outside perspective to avoid stagnation and decline. Techniques like mystery shopping, peer reviews, rotation of roles, or simply asking, 'What are we missing?' can reveal blind spots before disaster strikes. This approach isn’t about ceding control, but about safeguarding what you’ve built by seeing it with new eyes.

Schedule time to let yourself be wrong; growth always follows honest discomfort.

Deliberately step back from your most cherished routines or creations, and invite someone with nothing at stake—an outsider or a newcomer—to question and critique. Make it a habit to ask for feedback that’s blunt, not polite. Try flipping roles or approaching a familiar problem as a total beginner, and notice where things feel clunky, outdated, or invisible. It might feel awkward, but those moments are where breakthrough improvements hide.