PT #8: Are Your Strengths Getting In the Way of Your Growth? [1 Minute Better]

Practical Leadership [1 Minute Better Series]

Practical Tip #8: Know Yourself and Seek Self-Improvement

'How can I be better at improving on my weaknesses?'

To know yourself means to be aware of and understand your own thoughts, feelings, values, and motivations. It means being honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses, and having a clear understanding of your own identity and purpose.

Seeking self-improvement means actively working to become a better version of yourself. This can involve setting goals and working towards them, learning new skills and knowledge, and taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It involves self-reflection and the willingness to identify areas where you can grow and change, and then taking steps to make those improvements.

Self-improvement can take many forms, such as learning a new language, exercising regularly, developing a new hobby, or improving your communication skills. The key is to identify areas where you want to grow and then taking consistent action to make progress towards those goals.

We all have strengths and weaknesses, but if we're not willing to address those weaknesses, we'll never grow as a leader.

Are you working on your weaknesses, or are your strengths getting in the way of progress?

??WHAT ELSE?

There are many ways to seek self-improvement, and the best approach for you will depend on your goals and circumstances. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Set specific, achievable goals for yourself. This will give you something concrete to work towards and help you stay motivated.
2. Find a mentor or role model who can provide guidance and support.
3. Engage in continuous learning. This can include taking classes, reading books or articles, or participating in professional development opportunities.
4. Practice self-reflection. Take time to think about your strengths and areas for improvement, and consider seeking feedback from others to help you identify areas for growth.
5. Take care of your physical and mental health. Exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and find ways to manage stress and practice self-care.
6. Surround yourself with positive, supportive people. Seek out relationships with others who share your values and can help you stay motivated and on track.
7. Practice gratitude and focus on the positive. This can help you stay motivated and keep things in perspective, even when challenges arise.

Remember, self-improvement is a lifelong journey, and it's important to be patient and kind to yourself as you work towards your goals.

??ANYTHING MORE?

What are the 11 United States Marine Corps Leadership Principles?

I find it helpful (and humbling) to reflect on these principles from time to time, and ask myself, 'How can I be better at..?'?

1. Know yourself and seek self-improvement ('How can I be better at improving on my weaknesses?').
2. Be technically and tactically proficient ('How can I become more proficient in my areas of responsibility?').
3. Develop a sense of responsibility among your subordinates ('How can I be better at developing a sense of responsibility among my team?').
4. Make sound and timely decisions ('How can I be better in both the quality and the timeliness of the decisions I make?)
5. Set an example ('How can I be better at setting the example for my team to follow?').
6. Know your people and look out for their welfare ('How can I be better at knowing my team and looking out for their welfare?').
7. Keep your people informed ('How can I be better at keeping my team informed?').
8. Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions ('How can I be better at taking on new responsibilities and owning the results - whether good or bad?').
9. Ensure assigned tasks are understood, supervised, and accomplished ('How can I be better at setting up my team up for success in any task they're assigned?' 'After assigning a task, how can I be better at supervising them such that they develop a sense of responsibility for their work?).
10. Train your people as a team ('How can I be better at building a cohesive team?).
11. Employ your team in accordance with its capabilities ('How can I be better at playing to my team's strengths while helping them improve in areas of weakness?').

Learn more about Marine Corp Leadership traits and principles in 'Marine Corps Warfighting Publication MCWP 6-10 Leading Marines'

?? WANT TO GROW YOUR PROFESSIONAL NETWORK BY ONE MORE?

??MAKE SOMEONE'S DAY!

Feel free to do any of these! It helps the LinkedIn algorithm share this tip with someone else who can benefit from it.

??ANYTHING ELSE?

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Blinkist Cons:

• Length of summaries: Blinkist summaries are shorter and less detailed than those provided by getAbstract, and may not cover all the key points and ideas of the original work.

getAbstract Pros:

• Detailed summaries: getAbstract provides in-depth summaries of non-fiction books, covering all the key points and ideas of the original work.
• Wide range of topics: getAbstract has summaries available in a variety of categories, including business, personal development, leadership, and more.
• Quality of summaries: getAbstract has a team of professional editors who review and curate the summaries to ensure accuracy and clarity.

getAbstract Cons:

• Cost: getAbstract is a paid service, with subscription options starting at around $10 per month.
• Limited number of summaries: While getAbstract has a wide range of topics, the number of summaries available for each topic may be limited compared to other services.

Ultimately, the choice between getAbstract and Blinkist will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you want more detailed and comprehensive summaries, getAbstract may be the better choice for you. If you want a wide range of summaries in multiple formats and are willing to trade off some depth for convenience, Blinkist may be the better choice.

?? PRACTICAL TIP: I subscribe to both Blinkist and getAbstract. I find their summaries capture different details. During your free trial, consider searching for books you like and see which summaries you enjoy most.

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