Strengths to an extreme
can become a weakness. It is an
interesting concept, right? Think about
what we consider strong character traits, and then consider how those same
traits to an excess can be negative.
This is true in leadership roles as well as our personal lives. When using your core strengths, you risk
becoming blinded by your own success.
Consider some examples…
- A driven and results-oriented
person taken to an extreme can be a jerk who walks all over people.
- If you are laid back and
easygoing, in the extreme you’re a wimp who lets people walk all over you.
- Outgoing and expressive people
can become flakes who can’t get any real work done and talk too much.
- If you are detailed and precise,
taken to an extreme, you become an anal-retentive perfectionist.
Be
careful to monitor how you use your strengths.
They have clearly gotten you where you are, but to an extent they can be
a risk. Ask yourself if you unknowingly
overplay a strong suit to the detriment of a bigger goal.