reflection – Mark S. Brown

Beware of Your Strengths

Vic Braden has said, “Learn to think like a winner. Think positive and visualize your strengths.” Most of us will be more successful if we focus on our strengths and delegate to others in areas we are weaker. But we should be cognizant of both our strengths and weaknesses.

We can over use our strengths to the point that we begin to lose our flexibility. As leaders we need to maintain a level of versatility which allows us to better assess our current situation.

How do you play to your strengths but still not lose your edge?

1. Know yourself. Constant reflection, personal development, and learning will help you be fully aware of your capabilities in different situations. It will help you learn how to change the intensity in which you use your strengths.

2. Accept yourself. Being humble will allow you to stay in your weak zone on those occasions when it is required. Accept your limitations, and learn from others.

3. Serve others. Use your strengths to help other people. If you are only helping yourself, then you will probably be viewed as a domineering, selfish, control freak.

So the best advice is be aware of your strengths, not beware of your strengths!

Stop Limiting Yourself

When do you let limitations control you? Peter McWilliams once said, “When we argue for our limitations, we get to keep them.” To be successful, you must think of obstacles as opportunities. When you approach life with a positive attitude, the challenges you face will make you stronger.

Napoleon Hill has said, “There are no limitations to the mind except those we acknowledge.”

This week’s reflection exercise is to think about the limitations you have placed on yourself. Select the largest and determine how you can eliminate it from your thinking.

Motivation Check Up

What do you think is the number one way to increase motivation? If you said, give recognition, you are right. It is almost overly simple, and so inexpensive. Yet, it is also routinely overlooked in daily interactions between team members.

What do you think is the number one way to decrease motivation? The easiest way to completely demotivate someone is to criticize them in front of others. If you have ever been on the receiving end of this type of treatment, I am sure you remember how you felt. The rest of your day was probably very unproductive.

Many successful methods for motivating others, have an opposing method that results in destroying motivation. Some of these demotivating behaviors include being inaccessible, showing favoritism, or failing to train or support someone.

For this week’s reflection exercise, make a list of actions you can take to increase the motivation of your team. This could include adding positive behaviors, or eliminating negative behaviors. Once you have the list, make a plan to act on it.