Is This Your Leadership Blindspot?
How strengths can backfire (and what to do about It)
Problems are a natural part of the leadership gig.
The unexpected crisis, the stubborn roadblock, that team member whose stellar performance suddenly nosedives.
The strongest leaders aren't those who avoid problems, but those who turn those challenges into opportunities to showcase their strengths at their best.
Think of it like a high-performance sports car: even the most skilled driver will lose control on a slippery road if they rely solely on brute force.
True mastery comes from understanding the car's unique capabilities and making micro-adjustments to maintain traction even in the harshest conditions.
Your character strengths are your high-performance handling system for the bumpy terrain of leadership.
Strength-Based Troubleshooting
When those problems inevitably pop up (and they will!), here's a strength-focused mindset shift:
Resist the Panic Stress can shut down our best qualities. Take a moment to breathe and remind yourself, "I have the strengths to navigate this."Assess the Situation Which strengths can you activate to gain clarity? Are you the type who needs hard data (prudence, judgment), a chance to brainstorm with others (perspective, teamwork), or a moment to tap into your bigger vision to remain grounded (hope, spirituality)?Strategic, Not Reactive Instead of just reacting, consider how your strengths can drive a more proactive, creative response. The problem solver, the peacemaker, the innovator – they all step up here, just in different ways.Scenario: The Unexpected Setback
Imagine your project gets derailed due to unforeseen circumstances. It's tempting to fly off the handle or get lost in a blame game. Here's how strengths can help you turn the tide:
The Stabilizer (Bravery, Perseverance) You calmly reassure the team, channeling your inner strength to quell rising panic.The Strategist (Creativity, Critical Thinking) You facilitate a solution-oriented brainstorming session, tapping into your strengths to quickly explore alternative paths forward.The Heart (Love, Gratitude) You recognize the team's stress, expressing genuine appreciation for their efforts while keeping them focused on the new goal.The Strength/Weakness Flip
In the heat of problem-solving, even our best strengths can get twisted. That decisive leader might become domineering, the big-picture visionary might miss crucial details. Self-awareness is your superpower here, catching yourself when you're heading into "strength overdrive" and consciously compensating.
Your Challenge (Should You Accept It)
Think back to a recent problem that rattled you. Analyze your response:
1. Which strengths helped you navigate the situation?
2. Were there moments where your strengths might have inadvertently made things worse? (This takes courage, but it's incredibly enlightening!)
3. Plan for next time: How could you more intentionally leverage your strengths AND watch for those potential "oversteer" moments in similar scenarios?
Leading isn't about being perfect.
But by understanding your unique strength profile, you become incredibly agile. You develop a wider range of problem-solving tools, allowing you to not only face challenges head-on but use them as opportunities for growth – both for the team and for yourself as a leader.
And that brings us to the final phase of your transformation. Let's get working on a plan to make your strength-based leadership stick!
To Say it Differently…
Imagine your strengths as a high-performance race car. Even the most skilled driver can lose control on a slick track without the right adjustments. Think of every problem as a new weather condition. Your determination treads might help you power through a downpour, but on an icy road, you need to tap into the finesse of your adaptability tires. True mastery lies in understanding your strengths as a toolkit, constantly making those micro-adjustments to maintain traction and keep those leadership wins rolling in.
VIA: Your Strength-Decoding Tool
The most well-respected tool for uncovering your character strengths is called the VIA Survey of Character Strengths. It's free, has a ton of research backing it up, and takes only 15 minutes to complete.
VIA Survey Link:
Go ahead and do the VIA Survey now. I’ll wait…
Don't overthink the survey; go with your gut reactions. The key is honesty, not trying to guess the "right" answers. When you're done, you'll get a ranking of all 24 strengths. This is your starting line, your personalized leadership blueprint.
I will see you next week, ready to move forward based on your results.
Or you can purchase my ebook on Amazon: “Fall in Love With Your Inner Leader: Become More Connected, Confident, Creative in 7 Weeks” and start leading with your strengths today.