Embrace your Shadow

One of the very first actions I ask my clients to do is to write down a list of their top 3 strengths and areas for development.  A common example would be:

Strengths
Attention to detail
Broad business knowledge/expertise
Results driven/focused

Areas for development
Time management
Inability to delegate
Difficulty managing people

I then ask them to explore the relationship between these two lists and tell me what they see.  Usually, they will stare at the page for a few moments and then ask me to explain.  Rarely will they notice that their weaknesses are actually the mirror image of their strengths.  Essentially they are flip sides of the same coin.

All behaviours have a positive intention, even those that we perceive as weaknesses.  For example the habit of avoidance actually highlights the core strength of personal resilience, which is typically an area most high achievers struggle to manage effectively.  I meet a lot of managers who having received praise and recognition in the past, have continued to rely on and further hone key strengths to the point where they become out of balance and create a flaw. Unfortunately, this can completely derail a career and cause doubt and confusion.

Personal awareness, reappraisal and balanced intention are essential skills for leaders to explore in order to achieve their personal best.

Cheering you on,
Kendra