How a vision disability has made me a better leader

I was born with tunnel vision and night blindness (Retinitis Pigmentosa).  In some ways fulfilling my leadership potential has been difficult.  In other ways the physical disability makes it easier.  Here are the positive factors.

A leader needs other people with diverse skills and capabilities.  A disabled person learns their strengths and weaknesses.  They know others are required to complete a task and total independence is not always an option. I know I can brainstorm, prioritize, delegate, etc.  I also know I cannot fly a plane or drive myself from sales call to sales call.  Accepting the need for help is a great acknowledgement for a leader.

Delegating is necessary as a leader and a disabled person.  Disabled people need to clearly ask for what they need done.  We also have great appreciation for those who help us in our daily lives.  Saying thank you is a great attribute as a leader.

Along with needing others to do things I also need others to see things.  This reality has improved my listening skills.  I am not asking for another account of what happened.  I am actually asking, "What happened".

In recent months I have noticed there has been a lot written on the humbleness of leaders.  Humble may be a bit too much for a true leaser.  If humble means without braggadocio I agree.  If it means meek or submissive I disagree.

Either way disabled people certainly have respect for others.  Disabled people are open to diversity.  I am grateful for what I have and I put behind me unrealistic desires for what I cannot have.  I accept situations as they are and move forward.

I have been lucky to have leadership roles.  These roles have taught me about sacrifice.  My belief is that people are often envious of leaders.  It is easy to see the glory without the sacrifice.  Somehow for a disabled leader the sacrifice is a bit clearer.  Perhaps it is because statistics show most people would not swap a non-disabled life for a disabled life.  People don't want to swap lives with me. They are not envious of what I have as a leader.

Disability has also taught me to laugh at myself.  Therefore people can laugh with me rather than at me.  With a visual disability I know I am clumsy.  I recognize that it is not disrespect but simply something people do not see every day.  As Chevy Chase, Michael Richards, and others have shown us physical comedy is funny.

Laughter is a great equalizer.  It brings people together in a way even some of the greatest leaders wish they could.  It and other factors of disability make me real and therefore approachable.  It is hard to strike fear in people when you laugh and smile.  It is impossible to strike fear in people when you are blind.  I use disability to make myself more approachable.  I can feel the joy in people when they take my arm and help me find my way.  I can feel the relief when I laugh at myself.

Finally, the greatest joy and advantage of being a disabled leader is inspiration. It is easier to motivate people to try new things and situations when they know I do it every day.  It is excessively frightening to go to a new country and work with new people as a blind person.  When I try new things fully sighted people are afraid to do, I know it helps create an attitude that any obstacle can be overcome.

Of course a leader needs vision but not always the kind that comes from eyes.

Please connect with me on Twitter (swiateknz2) or Linkedin if you liked this post or you know of a young person who has Retinitis Pigmentosa.