More and more of today’s popular teaching tells us we should ignore our weaknesses and focus only on our strengths.
There is certainly much validity in focusing on our strengths. They are basically the value we bring to both our personal and business relationships. Focus on them, indeed. However, ignoring our weaknesses — when followed blindly and without context — can be downright dangerous to our potential success!
I believe that our personal weaknesses can be grouped into three main categories:
1. Those that truly do not matter. For example, I’m not good at running long-distances. Since I have no plans to run a marathon, I ignore that one.
2. Those that matter and need to be mitigated. I have a weakness for junk food and have to be very aware; constantly monitoring myself.
3. Those that matter and need to be turned into a strength. An example I’ve mentioned before is that I was a gossiper. That one I worked on until, not only did I overcome it, but am well-known for very rarely saying anything negative about anyone.
Had I not overcome that last one and turned a weakness into a strength, I can guarantee you my level of influence and success in many areas of my life would be much less than it is now.
Benjamin Franklin understood this concept and devised his own Character Improvement program. The difference that made in his life is self-evident.
So, yes, by all means, focus on your strengths. That’s where you will achieve the most.
But, don’t ignore your weaknesses. At least the ones that matter.
Your thoughts on this very-important topic?
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You are right Bob. There are some weaknesses that you just can’t outsource!
Alan: I love how you put it. Thank you for sharing that!
Could not agree with you more. I attended a training class by someone I highly respect and he taught us to focus on strengths. He used the 1 to 10 logic. If you listed all your strengths and then graded them from 1 being horrible to 10 being the best, he would ask, Why would you focus and work hard on bringing a trait rated at a 4 up to a 5 or even a 6 when you can spend the same amount of time bringing a trait rated at 8 to a 9 or 10. On the surface that almost makes sense. Your post makes more sense. As an analogy, if I were the coach of a football team, I would take an average player who could play multiple positions over a great player who could play only one. In baseball switch hitters are a valuable commodity but they tend to hit for better averages from one side of the plate. If they can hit from both sides, would it not make sense to spend more time becoming better from the weak side of the plate?
I also find it hard to believe that you were ever proficient in gossiping. That’s a testimonial to who you have become.
Jim: Thank you. And, the examples you brought up remind me of many more, indeed. And, as you said, on the surface, the original saying seems to make sense. That’s why it’s so important that we always “question premises” and ask questions, continually digging deeper. Thank you for sharing! And, thank you for your comment at the end!
Hi Bob! Very timely topic. I may add- both strengths and weaknesses require daily work. I’d say that just focusing on our strengths isn’t good enough. Like muscles need daily work out, the same our brain, our inner strengths require good loving care. With these daily refreshed strengths lets work on our weaknesses: reveal, estimate, make a program (and deadline), and mitigate them (love this gardener’s word). Important- daily work on our strengths and weaknesses is actually reprogramming our mind. It should be very positive process- clean up the space, replace it with new strengths we acquired in the process, and enjoy- your better YOU. Thank you for the lesson. Enjoy your day!
Olga: Terrific points. Thank you for sharing with us!
Bob…excellent reminder to everyone. Continue to build up that foundation of your strengths. It’s so important because your strength allows you to work on those weaknesses until they become strengths. Never neglect what you’re not “good at”. Enjoy the process of getting better because it’s exactly what turned your strengths into strengths.
Timothy: Great points and reminder. Thank you for sharing with us!
Thank’s for the reminder Bob!
Often we focus so much on strengths that we forget how forceful the weaknesses can.
Admitting and making weaknesses known can make you more “human” and “approchable”. People recognize their own and think you are more great, more “a real person” by your weaknesses than by your strengths. First of all by admitting them and by showing, that a weakness can be used as a strength!!!! It’s the same as when you start with your own MLM business, you have to show how easy it is by leaning on steps easy to do, and not requiring THE BIG COMMUNICATION MASTER SKILL – but simple steps everybody can do, and use others that have that already, taking small steps towards improvement. AND a lot of people are more than willing to help you overcome. Your weakness CAN be your biggest strength at some point.
We have a saying in Denmark that no chain is stronger than the weakest link, so it’s actually a false statement if you make other people think you are as strong as your strengths without making your weaknesses known too. THAT is showing the true you 🙂
Lene: Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us from an alternative angle. Very appreciated!
Made me think outta my own box here…having
believed in the strength focus, I love your twist
and examples on weaknesses and how to deal
with them versus ignore.
LOVE and HUGS Bob – It’s always a pleasure!!!!!!!! Your articles are really valueable!!!!!! And you get to look at a topic from MANY angles. You have THE COOLEST audience reading and commenting 🙂
Edie: Thank you. And, I do believe in the strength “focus”…just – as you mentioned – not in ignoring the weaknesses that shouldn’t be ignored. Appreciate you sharing with us!
Lene: 🙂 🙂 I agree, our readers/commenters are the BEST!
I agree, Bob. I think it is important to know what your weaknesses are so that you can manage against them. But it also is important that you don’t use them as excuses or let them be a blocks for you. I like your three types. Makes perfect sense.
Catherine: Great points, all. Very important in both regards. Thank you for sharing with us! And, thank you for your kind feedback!
Great message, Bob. Most of the time I think that “weaknesses” are very often “mis-applied strengths.” As for your gossip example, I might say that you were using your obvious, fantastic communication skills (an accepted strength for you) for content that might eventually be hurtful, unuseful, or otherwise not supporting your reputation in a way you wish. I’d say you were using your strong ability (strength) to support “negative” content. If you did not have strong ability in “gossiping” (you were weak at gossiping) then it would have been a 1 or 2 on your scale for you. Since you are a strong communicator, your power for hurtfulness is magnified when the content was “gossip.” So I’d say you committed to a resolution to choose different content to express your already, well-practiced strength. The improvement was in growing conscious awareness for your interpersonal communications content. Thanks for a very thoughtful post!
Harlan: Thank you.Though not quite sure I agree that it is “most of the time” (though, I believe I understand where you are coming from regarding the specific gossip trait) it’s certainly great food for thought. There are many other weaknesses that I think…are simply weaknesses. For example, I’m not naturally good with numbers. I don’t see that being a mis-applied strength. On the other hand, someone with excellent dexterity and cutting skills could either be a great surgeon or a ruthless killer. Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, and for your kind comments!
You are so right on Bob. I have learned that the things I am weak at, and they matter at my job, I hire into my weakness there. Having a team mate who is strong in my weak area, has actually given me people to learn from in those areas.
Amy: Very well said on both counts! Thank you for sharing that!
It’s more a matter of priority than should or should not. Spend more time developing and capitalizing on your strengths than you do trying to overcome or improve your weaknesses. The 80:20 rule applies here, too.
Thank you, Bob!
Recently I heard John Maxwell say that he was focusing on his area(s) where he had a lack of discipline. I thought that was a great way of thinking about this discussion of strength versus weakness.
Denis: It sure is. Thank you for sharing that!