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Mar 12 2014

Leader Know Thyself – Strengths and Weaknesses

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What are you really good at? Be honest and put away the humility for a moment. Take a piece of paper and write two or three things you are really good at. For this exercise, try to keep it related to your leadership responsibilities. Maybe you’re good at speaking to people. Perhaps you’re pretty good at writing, or maybe you have a better than average understanding of the technical nature of your area or responsibility.

Now, write down what you’re not too good at. Maybe you aren’t too good at getting your point across. Perhaps you don’t have a good grasp of the technical aspects of your new responsibilities. You must be honest with yourself here; you’re the only one who will see the list.

Why did I have you write this down? Because it’s essential for you to have a firm grasp of your own strengths and weaknesses. Think about some of the leaders you worked for. Have any of them had weaknesses they thought they were hiding from you? You knew about them anyway didn’t you?

No one is perfect and no one can be an expert at everything. When you know what your weaknesses are you can do something about them. Maybe learn more about your area. Maybe find someone else who’s strengths compliment your weaknesses.

But, don’t try to hide them. It probably won’t work.