Don't Just Focus on Strengths

You may be in a job that suits your strengths and you really enjoy. Still, what if you have a weakness that is holding you back from being as effective as you might be? Chances are you’ll have to step out of your comfort zone to overcome the obstacle.

I’ve seen individuals with excellent technical skills dismiss the need to develop social and emotional skills. As a result, they make ineffective leaders. In such situations, taking time to develop connection skills is wise.

Jim Goodnight, founder and CEO of SAS Institute, is an introvert yet knew he needed to connect with people in order to effectively lead them. Like many people with technical skills, Jim was not as comfortable connecting relationally so he did something about it. He began sitting down in the SAS Institute employee cafeteria and conversing with groups of people whom he didn't know. In addition, he held “Java with Jim” sessions where people in the organization could just show up and ask him questions.

The work that fits well with your strengths may require you to develop a skill you don’t presently possess or to hone a skill. Not stepping up to that new challenge could limit your effectiveness and career success too.

In 2002 I left Wall Street to follow my passion of helping leaders develop high-performing, life-giving workplace cultures. To be effective in that role, I had to become a better public speaker. The problem was that I had a fear of speaking to large audiences and I’m dyslexic. A woman I knew who worked for one of the large speakers bureaus recommended seeking the help of Twyla Thompson, a top acting coach at the Actors Institute in New York City.

Twyla taught me how to overcome my fear and how to emotionally connect with an audience. On Wall Street, I had learned to turn my emotions off when public speaking and I needed Twyla’s help to turn my emotions back on. She had me do exercises that included speaking to a group of acting students. I had to make eye contact with one student at a time and maintain that eye contact until the student raised his or her hand to signal that he or she felt connected to me. As I spoke, Twyla’s colleague Gifford Booth would stand at the back of the room and yell, ”louder, louder.”. He helped me see a blind spot I had: I was too soft-spoken. I couldn't believe what a difference these changes made in my ability to engage an audience. I would never have learned these skills on my own and I’m grateful for Twyla and Gifford’s coaching. Now these skills are hardwired in my brain so that I don't even think about them when I speak.

In a nutshell, there are times to focus on your strengths and times you must concentrate on developing the skills to overcome weaknesses holding you back or develop the skills necessary to live out your vocational calling.