As an Emotional Intelligence coach and speaker, I focus on self-awareness as one of the key leading factors in being able to spot both strengths and weaknesses in ourselves and use them to our advantage by doing just 3 simple things.
Our strengths are what people remember, though our weaknesses help to mold us into the people we are today and will become.
Strengths and weaknesses are the main elements of our characters. While it’s dumb to think you are fault free, it’s also harmful to see yourself worthless.
― Asmaa Dokmak
Being aware of this not only allows you to recognize your weaker areas, but also gives you the courage and strength to stop focusing on them and use them to maximize your results as a leader and in life.
3 Tools To Transform Weaknesses Into Strengths
Here are 3 tools you can use to really work with your weaker points and turn them into your strengths for a better life.
1.) Identify what it is that you may need to work on: your weak point
Often times, it is hard for us to recognize our own weaknesses. This is not necessarily a bad thing. If we focus too much on our weaknesses, it can lead to negativity, paralysis of taking action, and fear.
That said, knowing yourself and what areas you can improve in, really does make you a better person and leader — and one full of strength, at that.
No one is perfect, that is a fact.
If you continue to lead with that in mind, you can take yourself out of a negative vortex and remind yourself that everyone has flaws.
The approach of identifying this flaw and accepting it is going to set you aside as a leader. People will look up to you and admire you for being able to notice where you can use some work.
Share with your team and your loved ones so that they are able to help you and really see you for what you are great at, which might be something entirely different.
Knowing yourself and your growth areas is a strength within itself.
2.) Outsource: Create a team where people are working toward their strengths
There is an old saying, “If I want it done right, I will do it myself!”
Though there might be validity in this saying, if you are talking about one specific and detailed skill-set (such as taking apart a computer or doing open-heart surgery), this is a narrow and poor way to lead.
By administering the 1st step above, you are able to recognize where you are lacking, then hire people to focus on what they are good at; this both highlights their strengths and reduces your anxiety around areas you need growth.
A great way to do this at work is to assess your team, or yourself, to see where everyone sits with their strengths and weaknesses. Then, you assign tasks based off what everyone can bring to the table and watch the efficiency just flourish!
In your personal life, this might come down to your spouse being really great at managing day-to-day finances, while you are great at cooking dinners and doing homework with the children.
Defining roles within your relationship actually maximizes results, saves time and energy, and ultimately creates peace in the house!
3.) Hone in on what you are good at and accept feedback
Ask yourself 3 questions:
- What are my strengths?
- What do I love to do and value in my life?
- Where should I be focusing myself?
Then, take the time to get feedback from someone you trust and value. Ask:
What could I have done differently, and what can I work on?
On my personal journey, it took me 35 years to find out what my strengths were, as I was so blocked by my weaknesses. This was because I was seeing myself from the wrong perspective.
Once I realized (through my own personal coaching journey) how much I could bring to the table professionally, I realized that if I continued to focus on those strengths, I would be unstoppable.
My values fell right into place after that.
No one wants to be doing something that they question from a value-perspective everyday. Yet sadly, most people in the world are.
Knowing what your values and strengths are, and how you might take steps to fulfilling them, will continuously help you view yourself from a positive lens. This will ultimately result in the change you so desire.
Mix all of this in with valuable feedback from someone you trust and admire, and you will be on a continued trajectory of growth.
It is not always easy to hear what they say, but if you combine it with all the other points in this article, you can quickly and smoothly enter the circle of self-improvement.
If you continue to drive toward your focus of why you should do things, and stay clearly aligned with this, then weakness won’t even be in your thought process.
Strength comes in many forms, choose yours.
What strengths are you currently focusing on? What weaknesses can you delegate to others? Please share and inspire us in a comment below!