YOUR BUSINESS
You think THAT’s impressive?
Three thoughts to take away from this article:
- If you take your strengths for granted you are shooting yourself in the foot
- Focus on fixing your weaknesses is a waste of time.
- Big success comes from knowing what you are really good at and DOING THAT!
One of the reasons we tend to focus on our weaknesses is that we tend to take our natural strengths for granted.
Because they come so naturally, our strengths don’t seem very impressive to us.
If something is easy to do, it just doesn’t feel important and impressive. But when other people do things we are not good at – we are very impressed!
The funny thing is – they are looking at you the same way. Whatever they do easily is not impressive to them, but what you do well – Wow, that is really something!
Taking your strengths for granted is shooting yourself in the foot. Here’s why:
Focus on Strengths is the path to Great Leadership
Here is the secret to great leadership: Figure out who you really are, and what you are really good at and DO THAT.
Put yourself in a position to be doing what you are naturally good at as often as possible, and you’ll be a great leader.
Look for where your energy multiplies and go there. Avoid what drains it.
Great leaders are great because they are effective, inspiring, and consistent.
What better way is there to be effective, inspiring, and consistent than by doing the things you are naturally good at most of the time?
Finding your Strengths
I recommend three exercises for focusing on your unique strengths
YOUR PEOPLE
Building your team on Strengths
There is nothing more important to your success than having a great team. I have discussed aspects of this in prior issues, such as Is Your Team Really Working for You?and Not Delegating is NOT an Choice.
As a manager it is your job, not just to manage and deliver the work your team is responsible for, but to build the strongest team possible.
Smart people can do a lot of different things. So we often have a tendency to “make due” with people in roles who can do the job, even if it’s not the ideal job for them.
But think about having a team where each person is in a role that plays to their natural strengths. A team where every person is thriving and doing great work that comes naturally to them. Think about how clear and motivated they would be.
Your job is to build THAT team.
Here is how you can do it:
YOUR VISIBILITY
WHY you do things well
If you don’t have your strengths in focus, you are missing an opportunity to build your credibility and present yourself at your best.
You are probably practiced at talking about your skills and what you have done in your career. But this is only part of the picture.
Your natural strengths are what allow you to create a unique and strongly positive impression.
If you take them for granted you might talk about the business results you achieved, but you will miss the opportunity to show HOW and WHY you consistently and repeatedly can be counted on to deliver those kinds of results.
Here are some examples about how focusing on your strengths can help you present yourself:
YOUR LIFE
Sharing your strengths with others
I have many conversations with people who would like to find a way to “give something back”, but many struggle to figure out what that should be.
Somehow most people seem to come to the conclusion that the thing you are supposed to do to give back is to work at a soup kitchen -- Not everyone is cut out for the soup kitchen.
Instead, why not think about this in terms of your strengths?
I hope you have found some useful ideas that will help you do something specific to build value in your career and business and enjoy your life.
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About Patty
Patty Azzarello was the youngest general manager at HP ever at the age of 33. She ran a $1B software business at the age of 35 and was a CEO for the first time at the age of 38. Patty is known for her personal leadership qualities, her straightforward and practical manner, and her genuine interest in making a real connection with people to help them to advance their career and business, and to find ways to enjoy their life more.
Today Patty Azzarello is the CEO of Azzarello Group, www.AzzarelloGroup.com a unique services organization focused on helping companies develop and motivate their top performers and grow their business.
Azzarello Group delivers practical, experience-based tools, through products and services including, executive coaching, public speaking, leadership workshops, online programs, and consulting with teams on business execution.
