Running headlong into a task or a job situation without considering how it fits you and whether it will value your uniqueness can be disastrous. When you try to force the proverbial square peg into the round hole you may damage the peg, the hole, or both.
It is important to assess your personal strengths, your interests, your social style, and the intensity of your courage as a foundation for achieving more. Know who you are before deciding what you will work toward.
Here’s Tip #5:
Consider Who before What
Identify your strengths. Then, limit your efforts to those that capitalize on your unique strengths. You will not be strong in every area and I do not recommend working on “weaknesses” unless they are fatal flaws that can cost you your job and relationships. Try to avoid situations that put undue pressure on you to act outside of your strengths. I recommend the Birkman Method for identifying strengths.
Here’s an example: If organization is not your strength, don’t engage in work that requires it. Bring someone alongside you who is a strong organizer to do that part while you exercise your strengths which lie in other areas. In some jobs, lack of organization is a “fatal flaw,” so if that is the case for your pursuit either don’t go there, get some help, or get organized.
Get clear about your interests. Identify what fires you up most and do that as much as you can. Get a job that requires it. If you love interacting with people, avoid a job that requires you to work alone in your office. If you love creating, avoid a job that requires a lot of structure from you and gives you little freedom. Someone has said that life is too short not to do what you love.
Get clear about how you prefer to interact. If you prefer that people be direct and straightforward with you, get in an environment where this is a regular occurrence. If you prefer a slower, thoughtful pace then find a job environment that embraces it. If you need a democratic, collaborative environment don’t go to work in a hierarchical organization with a directive and commanding leader.
Take courageous action in light of your personal strengths, your interests, and your style. Not everyone will appreciate you or your actions. Some may even oppose you and your actions. But, if it fits and you believe it to be the right thing, move in that direction. Waiting for everyone to get happy is an endless wait.
What has helped you most to know the “who” that is you?
