Everyone is stupid—yes, even the smartest among us.
Now, before you click away or get offended, let me explain.
We all have blind spots. Areas where we just don’t see clearly. Perspectives shaped by our upbringing, our past experiences, and our biases. These perspectives form our reality—but they also limit it. They create barriers to growth, to learning, to changing how we think.
And most of the time, we don’t even realize they’re there. Why? Because of something I call shields.
Shields are your mental defense systems. They’re designed to keep you safe—but they also keep you stuck. They keep you from learning, from growing, from hearing the kind of feedback that could actually unlock your next level in life or business.
So the question becomes—how do we remove those shields?
Because once you do, the clarity and growth you’ll experience can be transformational.
Let’s break this down.
First, what are shields and why do we have them?
A shield might be defensiveness when someone gives you feedback. It might be the pride that keeps you from admitting you were wrong. It might be fear of criticism, fear of disapproval, or even just avoidance—pretending an issue doesn’t exist so you don’t have to deal with it.
These mental shields serve a purpose. They protect our ego. They help us avoid discomfort. They maintain our identity—especially the one we’ve built over years of effort and experience.
But just like sunglasses that protect you from harmful glare, if you keep them on in the dark, you’re not seeing anything clearly. You’re just stumbling around, blind to the opportunities around you.
Shields block new information. They block other perspectives. They block learning. And when you’re blocked from learning, you’re blocked from leading.
So how do you start removing a shield?
Step one: Identify a single shield.
You don’t have to tear everything down at once. Growth is sequential. Start with just one area of your life or business where you find yourself getting defensive or shutting down. Maybe it’s when someone questions your leadership. Maybe it’s when a team member suggests a different way of doing things. Maybe it’s feedback about your performance or your communication style.
Reflect on a recent moment where you felt triggered, tense, or closed off. What were you protecting in that moment? Was it your pride? Your sense of certainty? Your identity as a leader or expert?
Ask yourself: What was I afraid to feel or admit?
When you can name the shield, you can begin to lower it.
Step two: Get curious, not defensive.
This one is tough. And it takes practice. You’re going to mess it up. That’s okay.
Instead of immediately saying “That’s not true” or “You don’t understand,” try asking, “Why do I feel the need to reject this?”
Shift from judgment to curiosity. Try questions like: “What if they’re right?” “What could I learn if I accepted this?” Or at the very least, “Why do they believe this is true? What mindset or experience do they have that makes them think this way?”
It’s possible they’re operating from their own shields too. But you won’t know unless you ask. Unless you dig deeper.
This shift—from ego to curiosity—is one of the most powerful things you can do for your growth. When you prioritize learning over being right, you unlock a whole new level of leadership.
Step three: Replace the shield with a tool.
You’re not left exposed or vulnerable. When you take the shield down, you replace it with something stronger: discernment, self-awareness, and emotional regulation.
For example, let’s say someone asks, “Why are your sales down this quarter?” Your instinct might be to get defensive, to throw up the shield and say, “They’re not down!” or “It’s not my fault!”
But what if, instead, you’ve trained yourself to pause, look inward, and respond with, “Let’s take a look at the numbers. I’ve noticed that while overall revenue is steady, one of our key metrics is stagnating. Here’s why that might be happening.”
Now you’re leading with clarity and calm. And guess what? That may spark a productive conversation where both of you learn something—maybe the sales aren’t down, but maybe you both discover a trend you hadn’t noticed before.
The point is this: when you put up a shield, you have to defend it. You have to stand behind it. You’ve locked yourself into a position. But when the shield is down, you have flexibility. Possibility. Options. You can explore. You can lead with strength, not fear.
So practice responding—not reacting.
Step four: Test and repeat.
The first time you lower a shield, you’ll feel exposed. Maybe even a little uncomfortable. That’s normal.
But keep doing it. The more often you practice this kind of mental discipline, the more natural it becomes. Like going to the gym, the reps build strength.
Once you’ve lowered one shield, find another and start again. Over time, you’ll start to recognize the signs faster—the tension in your chest, the rush to defend, the urge to dismiss.
Shields like to sneak back in when you’re not paying attention. So stay alert. Keep your mindset strong. Keep working that muscle.
Now, let’s talk about why this matters—especially for leaders and entrepreneurs.
If you can’t take feedback, you will stagnate. Period.
If your identity as a leader is built on always being right, you’re standing on shaky ground. Because true innovation—the kind that grows companies, disrupts industries, and inspires teams—comes from challenging assumptions, not clinging to them.
Your culture starts with you. If your team sees you get defensive, shut down, or reject feedback, they’ll do the same. But if they see you stay curious, stay calm, and lean into growth—even when it’s uncomfortable—they’ll follow your lead.
Think about a leader you admire. I guarantee that person knows how to take a hit, process it, and use it to get better. They don’t hide behind shields. They lead from the front—with humility and strength.
Imagine a CEO who, instead of shutting down when their team challenges their strategy, invites the conversation, adapts, and makes an even better plan. That’s not weakness. That’s power. That’s leadership.
So here’s the takeaway.
Growth starts by removing your shields—one at a time.
Every time you lower your defenses, you raise your potential. You open yourself to new ideas, new strategies, new levels of performance.
Start small. Choose one moment. One trigger. One shield. And lean into it.
Embrace the discomfort. Ask better questions. Replace fear with curiosity. And commit to the process.
The next level of your life and business depends on your ability to do this consistently.
Now I want to hear from you.
What’s one shield you know you need to lower? Drop it in the comments below.
If this video helped shift your perspective, give it a like, hit subscribe, and check out my profile for more tools on mindset, leadership, and growth.
We’re all working to elevate humanity—one post, one mindset shift, one step at a time.
Let’s keep moving forward. Together.