Weakness

Sometimes it is more important to discover what one cannot do, than what one can do. Lin Yutang

One of the most difficult questions to answer in an interview is responding to the question‘What are your weaknesses’? The difficulty is primarily because stating your weakness exposes you to risk of more uncomfortable questions and the possibility of not clearing the interview. The bigger problem though is the uncomfortable feeling that we get when trying to analyze ourselves and in identifying our weakness. Most times we end up rationalizing our weakness, knowing fully well that our logic and explanation won’t cut ice with ourselves leave alone a third party.

 Knowing our weakness is important for us to work on overcoming it, just as diagnosing an illness correctly is vital to prescribing the right medication. When we have the courage to acknowledge our weakness, it is the first step in overcoming it. We can then work around solutions that will mitigate the weakness and hopefully eliminate it too. Far too often our strengths are dwarfed by a glaring weakness in us, which we fail to identify and live in the painful knowledge that we have not realized our full potential. E.g. an excellent salesperson might be a failure simply because he hasn’t learnt the art of closing a sale. Or a meticulous and contentious worker, might not be growing in his job because he fails to meet the deadlines. Others might be exceptional leaders but are weak in critical managerial competencies like decision making and motivation. Some personal weakness like having a short temper, inability to delegate, not being a team player, having a negative attitude, sheer tardiness in work style, suspect personal ethics etc. are concerns that must be addressed before they become a millstone that pulls you down and doesn’t not allow you to grow.

Identifyingn our weakness also enables us to work within our limitations. We will then not have false ideas about our abilities and grandiose plans of success. It will also enable us to chart our own course where w can leverage our strengths rather than prod on with our weakness dragging us down. Academic brilliance, for example does not give you street smartness that is vital to be in business nor does a strong financial background give you the flair of risk taking ability. Sometimes what masquerades as hard work and persistence might in reality be dogmatism and fool hardiness.

Remember: The greatest weakness of all is the great fear of appearing weak” Jacques Bossuel

Try these:

1. Reflect on your fears. These could give you some clues to your weakness. Identify and list out your weakness. Ask yourself if some of these weaknesses can be overcome by self discipline, training, practice etc. Reflect on the opportunities that your are missing out on because of your weakness.
2. Get a close friend/ colleague/ spouse to outline what they perceive as your weakness. Also seek their support in identifying measures to overcome your weakness. Ask them also how these weaknesses are impeding your growth.
3. Can you identify weakness in your competitor and then work out how you can pit your strengths to win. At the same time identify the strengths of the competitor and ask yourself if you can improve your strengths to match the competiton.

This post is courtesy www.actspot.com

You are also invited to visit our weekly inspirational and motivational blog www.poweract.blogspot.com