I learned to drive a four-wheel vehicle in the United States, an experience that was fascinating. My instructor, Albert, taught me the concept of the blind spot. He would repeatedly chant the mantra, “Look over your shoulder, turn on the indicator, then change the lane,” each time I made a lane change.

Interestingly, before his prompt, I would preemptively echo the mantra in my thoughts. It’s funny how such seemingly insignificant details linger and can carry profound significance.

My life has undergone several transformations. It all began with my move to the United States, transitioning from a homemaker to a working woman, and this was just the start. My journey encompassed shifts from Software Engineer to TPM, further evolving into a Product Manager. I ventured into the realm of AI & ML and transitioned from Microsoft to Google, among many other pivotal shifts.

Career blind spots are the things around you, but you fail to notice it due to our unique wiring and identity. An extrovert might struggle to understand the discomfort of being put on the spot in a group, while those driven by outcomes might overlook the need for pause and contemplation. Passion can lead to neglecting work-life balance, and the list goes on.

Gaining insight into these blind spots requires remarkable self-awareness. Often, we only become aware of them through failures, abrupt changes, or when others point them out.

I’ve come to realize my profound passion, drive, and eagerness to dive into new challenges. It may lead to burnout when not managed well. Checking this blind spot will never be second nature. By a fortunate accident, I stumbled upon a strategy to manage my blind spot.

During a team alignment call with Terry Dolan, the hiring manager, everything seemed to be ticking on my list. However, I later recognized that Terry had a vastly different personality from mine. Over the course of a year working under Terry’s leadership, I discovered the rich insights that emerged during our 1:1s. All my blind spots were being covered!

After that aha moment, I began to consciously look for personality traits in my potential manager. A few years ago, my manager Luis Vargas brought calm headedness and taught me to not bring work stress in my personal life. Impactful work I drove in the CTO’s office wouldn’t be possible without his careful check on my blind spots.

Upon joining Google, I was very excited to jump in and start driving. My manager Shawn Lyndon helped me realize the importance of ramping up especially for a complex product like Google Search and within a new company and culture. Taking the time to understand the system, its challenges and current issues was key to my success in that role.

I am grateful to all these managers who “Looked over my shoulder and turned on the indicator so I could change the lane effortlessly!

Now, as I reflect on my journey, I ask you: What is your blind spot, and how do you navigate your lane changes?