I found the analogy used in the story of the rowing team to be very apropos. The lens we use to view the world definitely has an impact on both our outlook and performance. Thanks for sharing Tanveer. 

I think the challenge we face in dealing with our weaknesses has less to do with the actual weakness as it does our perception of what we can do about it.

In most cases, we tend to present weaknesses as limitations or we focus on aspects that we have no control over and thus, there’s nothing we can do about it. 

I remember reading one example about this rowing team and their being asked how do they deal with changes in the weather.  The rower responded how there’s nothing he can do about the weather and so he doesn’t focus on that.  Instead, his focus is on developing his skill range so that when changes aren’t ideal, he can respond in such a fashion as to ensure a winning outcome.  In that light, the uncertain weather conditions becomes not so much a weakness to avoid as it is something that allowed him to diversify his skill set.

That’s what I see as being the other issue with dealing with weaknesses; that we tend to frame them in such a way that there’s clearly no way we can improve on them and consequently, we ‘stick to what we’re good at’ instead of aiming to seek opportunities to challenge ourselves to improve.

Thanks again, Mike, for another thought-provoking post.

In challenging the status quo, we are trapped in the lack of discipline.

More important now is to delegate and my contribution will always be judged by the market.

Thanks,
Sami

I appreciated the exchange between yourself and Mark Oakes on this post. ’Playing to one’s strengths’ is too often a euphemism for ‘making allowances for one’s weaknesses’, as though character deficiencies are somehow offset by other abilities. Trying to separate one’s vocational/professional persona, from what one is when alone, is a recipe for ignominy and shame. The proof is as close as the daily news.

Ron 

I’ve always believed if a person ever reaches a place where all, or frankly even most of their choices have become easy, it means they’ve stopped growing or caring. Astute observations Mike. Thanks for sharing.