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Episode Overview
In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, John Jantsch sits down with entrepreneur, author, and business coach Kevin St.Clergy to unpack the concept of “blind blaming”—a hidden pattern that causes leaders to misdiagnose problems and stall growth.
Kevin shares a powerful personal story that led to the discovery of blind blaming and explains how this phenomenon shows up in business, particularly when leaders default to blaming marketing, teams, or external factors instead of identifying root causes. The conversation dives into cognitive biases, the importance of reflection, and why many entrepreneurs stay stuck despite working harder than ever.
Listeners will learn Kevin’s RCD Method (Reflect, Connect, Decide), how to uncover hidden bottlenecks, and why transformation—not tactics—is the future of business growth. This episode is especially valuable for entrepreneurs, agency owners, and leaders who feel stuck despite putting in significant effort.
Guest Bio: Kevin St.Clergy
Kevin D. St.Clergy is an entrepreneur, speaker, mentor, and author of Beyond Blind Blaming: Stop Solving the Wrong Problems and Instantly Unlock Results. After successfully building and exiting his own marketing agency, Kevin now helps business owners and leaders identify hidden assumptions, mindset blocks, and misdiagnosed problems that limit growth. His work focuses on transforming leaders by addressing root causes rather than surface-level symptoms.
Key Takeaways
1. Most Leaders Are Solving the Wrong Problems
Blind blaming occurs when individuals assign fault to the most obvious or convenient cause—often without verifying if it’s accurate. This leads to repeated failure despite increased effort.
2. Cognitive Biases Drive Misdiagnosis
- Availability Bias: The first explanation that comes to mind becomes the assumed truth.
- Confirmation Bias: Leaders then seek evidence to prove that assumption correct.
- Result: Time and energy are wasted on the wrong solutions.
3. The RCD Method for Breakthroughs
- Reflect: Ask, “Is there something I’m not seeing?”
- Connect: Seek outside perspectives (coaches, mentors, masterminds).
- Decide: Take decisive action once clarity is reached.
4. More Leads Isn’t Always the Problem
Many businesses blame marketing when the real issue lies in:
- Poor sales processes
- Missed calls
- Weak customer experience
5. Transformation Beats Transaction
Modern clients don’t want more services—they want outcomes. Businesses that shift from transactional services to transformational partnerships see higher retention and growth.
6. Mindset Shapes Business Outcomes
Limiting beliefs (e.g., “I’ll never be that successful”) directly impact business performance. Growth often starts with expanding what leaders believe is possible.
7. Slowing Down Is a Growth Strategy
High-performing entrepreneurs often avoid reflection. Scheduling dedicated thinking time is essential for identifying root problems and making better decisions.
Great Moments (Timestamps)
00:01 – Introduction to “blind blaming” and why leaders get stuck
01:08 – Kevin’s baseball story that inspired the concept
02:44 – Real-world example: businesses blaming marketing incorrectly
03:36 – Introduction to the RCD Method
05:12 – Why outside perspectives are critical for growth
06:18 – The power of making decisive choices (MFD concept)
06:55 – Why slowing down leads to better results
09:25 – Recognizing blind blaming through language and mindset
11:39 – The three fatal flaws: availability, confirmation, and misdirected focus
13:47 – Transitioning from marketing agency to business growth partner
15:01 – Strategy-first approach and becoming a trusted advisor
17:18 – Diagnosing real business problems beyond surface assumptions
18:58 – Why clients crave transformation, not services
20:16 – Hidden personal factors (like health) impacting business performance
Notable Quotes
“Blind blaming is when we blame something completely out of our control—or something that isn’t even the real problem.”
“If you keep solving the same problem over and over again and getting the same results, you’re probably solving the wrong problem.”
“People don’t want more marketing—they want more money, more growth, and more impact.”
“Build the business owner that builds the business.”
“Transformation beats transaction every time.”
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