How to develop leadership strengths from weaknesses

1. Acknowledge The Weakness

A business leader can easily turn a weakness into a strength by acknowledging the weakness and then improving upon it. For example, if organization is your weakness, say so, and then learn how to use a new online organizational tool that solves your problem. Your clients and employees will appreciate the fact that you are human and can admit faults. It will also teach them how to grow and upskill.

2. Assess The Impact It Has On The Team

One way for a business leader to turn a weakness into a strength is to specifically identify the weakness through feedback, assess its impact on the team or organization and develop a plan to address it through training, hiring or coaching. By actively working to improve upon weaknesses, a leader can transform them into strengths and improve the overall performance of their organization.

3. See The Context

In what situation will your input, from your area of weakness, detract from value? In what situation will that weakness add value, perhaps through bringing a different perspective that will make your offer more inclusive? Recognize that your input in a given situation may not be what is most needed. Let your awareness of your weakness remind you to ask what is most important.

4. Balance Your Weakness

If being intuitive is your strength, and your weakness is analytical thinking, surround yourself with people who incorporate a data-driven, solid approach. Acknowledge where you thrive and contribute, and find an individual who will lead by example! They will help you learn to be more analytical.

5. Own Your Weakness

Don’t make excuses for your weakness. Ask others to help you improve. Make it psychologically safe for others to acknowledge weaknesses and ask for feedback and help as well. Recognize that we can all learn skills and flex our behavior. Of course, this does not mean a learned behavior can be honed into a true talent like a natural preference; however, it won’t derail you.

6. Lean Into It; Don’t Fight It

Entrepreneurs spend their lives figuring out how to do things “their way.” Build a team and a system around you that will account for your weakness and make it work for you. Don’t try to change who you are or what your strengths are; you’ll just burn extra time, energy and money. Invest in the support system you want; it’s why you started a business in the first place!

7. Stop Worrying About Your Weaknesses

Nobody ever became a legend by focusing on what they were bad (or mediocre) at. Those who change the world are the ones who hone and refine their unique strengths and gifts. But, to make your strengths shine, be clever enough to know your weaknesses and surround yourself with people who give you balance, support and perspective in those areas.

8. Use The Right Resources To Improve Your Skills

Practically speaking, if the weakness is a lack of budgeting or supervisory skills, time management or organizational skills, obtain training or a detailed leadership assignment. If the weakness is behavioral, they may need to work with a coach to identify the weakness and transform it into a positive strength via discussions, role-playing and discussions with staff and other leadership.

9. Outsource Tasks That Aren’t Your Strengths

As an entrepreneur, one of my biggest weaknesses is handling the back-end side of my website. I could spend my precious time taking coding classes (which would put me quickly to sleep); however, I chose to outsource this task and hired a Web designer. This frees up my time to do the things I love and that use my natural strengths.

10. Know What You Need To Change

The first part of changing is knowing you need to change, so knowing your weakness is step one. To create motivation for change, research how this weakness could be holding back performance to raise the importance of this. Then, ask for feedback from peers, team members and trusted friends. It’s really important to be as specific as possible about what you are asking for. Look for key themes to act on.

11. Know That Recognizing Weaknesses Is A Strength

Recognizing what your weaknesses are and building strategies around them is actually a strength within itself. It is far more productive for a business leader to focus on building their strengths, rather than trying to turn around a weakness.

12. Reframe ‘Weakness’ As A Chance To Grow

Language is so important to adapting a mindset. Reframe your use of the word “weakness” to instead mean an opportunity to grow, learn and solve. Not only does this acknowledge that there is an area you’re less confident in, but it also immediately creates that perspective of brainstorming around how you move ahead, which makes you feel more in control and boosts confidence and resilience.

13. Seek Feedback From Others

When it comes to professional development, it’s important to always be looking for ways that you can improve. One of the best ways to do this is by seeking out feedback from others. Whether it’s asking a colleague for their opinion or requesting feedback from your boss or peers, soliciting input from others is crucial if you want to continue growing and set the focus of your attention exactly on it. – Cristian Hofmann, Empowering Executives | SUPERGROUP LTD

14. Shine A Light On Someone Else’s Strength

Everyone has weaknesses; they remind us that we need each other. Our weaknesses help us find others on our team or within our organization. It’s an ideal way to shine a light on someone else’s strength while learning a thing or two.

15. Embrace Vulnerability

A business leader can turn a weakness into a strength by embracing vulnerability and seeking feedback from employees and peers. By being open to constructive criticism, leaders can identify areas of weakness, develop actionable plans to improve and turn their shortcomings into strengths that help drive success.