imapMyTeam Blog

Fear Your Strengths

Our strengths are a gift, of sorts. They largely develop into ‘second nature’ and come so naturally to us that we have a tendency to lean on them in many, of not all, circumstances that we find ourselves in.

You have come to know your strengths well through imapMyTeam. There are many reports that describe that behavior in a positive way and how it contributes to your success and the success of the team.

You need to learn the other side.

Your strengths can work against you. You need to be able to determine where those strengths are working for you and where they may be working against you.

Are you able to recognize when you take your strengths too far?

For example, let’s say one of your strengths is to be exceedingly direct. In many circumstances that can be a strength. When you need to be crystal clear and get right to the point that directness works. The question you need to ask yourself is ‘where doesn’t it work?’ With whom or under what circumstances might some tactfulness improve the outcome.

There are many reports available in imapMyTeam.com to help you reflect on this. You can look at your strengths in the Team Player grid and reflect on times that strength did not serve you well with someone or some circumstance. Reports such as ‘How to Talk to Them’ or ‘What to Avoid with Them’ help you understand others preferences. If your strengths are opposite of that other person’s preference, how well are you managing your strength in regards to that other person?

If you are aware – and modifying your strengths as necessary, congratulations are in order. If you are not, learning to ‘fear’ your strengths, a bit more adaptability would be a good goal for 2014.