The 3 Communication Blind Spots I See Most In STEM Leaders

(And not just in STEM!)

Most STEM leaders I’ve worked with are smart, capable, and deeply committed to doing excellent work.
Unfortunately communication is often where things go downhill, not because they lack skill, but because no one ever taught them what really matters.

Here are the three blind spots I see most often:

1. Overvaluing precision over perception:
Leaders often focus on getting the words right while overlooking how their message is landing. Precision matters, but it can’t override attunement.

2. Treating communication as information, not meaning-making:
Leaders tend to assume that communication is complete once the words have been spoken and heads have nodded. Information delivered doesn't equal information understood because shared understanding requires slowing down for alignment, checking assumptions, and confirming understanding and agreements.

3. Overestimating their own regulation under stress:
Leaders might believe that they’re being either calm or “just direct” but their facial expression, tone, or pace tells a different story. Under pressure, the nervous system takes over: defending, over-explaining, shutting down, speeding up, etc.

What’s the cost of these blind spots?

When leaders can’t see these patterns, the consequences negatively affect teams and organizations:
* Leaders who feel misunderstood and exhausted
* Emotional reactivity that derail conversations
* Decisions that feel rushed because people don’t feel heard
* Missed promotions and stalled careers
* Teams that feel misaligned or confused

None of these is a character problem.
It’s an awareness problem,  and awareness is absolutely trainable.

What to do about it

If you’re a STEM leader (or managing them), here’s where to start:
* Slow your internal tempo by 5-10%.
* Pay attention to tone, expression, and pace - they carry more meaning than the words.
* Check assumptions explicitly.
* Shift from transmitting information to creating shared meaning.
* Notice when your nervous system takes over presence.

These small adjustments will transform your communication and enhance your impact as a leader.

Which of these blind spots do you recognize in yourself or your team?