Performance Matters - Idea #14

Have you ever wondered why so much emphasis is placed in the work place on people improving their "weaknesses"? Why isn't more focus placed on understanding peoples strengths and then using them to their maximum potential. It comes back to what I've written about before, "Do more of what you do best and less of all of the rest."

Think how much happier and satisfied people would be if that was a core strategy of the business. Think how much more successful the business could be if that were a core business strategy!

Play to people’s strengths rather than trying to make them into someone they are not. Each person has a unique combination of gifts and experience unlike any other person. Managers need to get to know their people - what makes them tick? What is their unique knowledge, experience, skills? What stirs their passion? What do they aspire to?

For many manager's their greatest weakness is not knowing the answer to the above question for all of their people.

There are some great tools out there for helping a person or a team discover their strengths and to start the conversations that will help them better utilize them. Are you in conversation with your team? Are you engaging the tools to leverage the talent you have?

When people play to their strengths they actually increase their energy and loyalty. When they are working in their weaknesses they consume energy and and burn loyalty.

Get more out of each person by playing to their strengths.

Bob

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Performance Builders