Weaknesses are Overdone Strengths

Interesting and Empowering Concept

Really important consideration: Elias Porter said that our personal weaknesses were really examples of overdone strengths!

That’s right, strengths.

So that person who acted in an aggressive manner at the meeting, maybe their overdone strength is that they are positively assertive…when not overdoing it. What are other overdone strengths we see in our workplace and community?

• Trust overdone = Gullible
• Assertive overdone = Aggressive
• Happy overdone = Pollyanna
• Helpful overdone = Overly Accommodating (becomes a doormat)
• Passionate overdone = (appears) Angry

You see how when we or our colleagues overdo their strengths it quickly becomes a weakness, a negative, a detractor. Remember, these are behaviors, not the person themselves. We have to separate the deed from the doer, the person from the problem. We need to consider their intentions and what may be causing them to go beyond their strength into the more negative behaviors. Maybe we need to pull them aside later and ask if they are okay.

People are stressed for a ton of reasons, we need to be able to step back from something and view it with a different lens…maybe cut them a break or maybe a collaborative chat later. Either way, if we look this from a constructive angle and try to see what positive characteristic is driving them we will be more forgiving. We want and need forgiveness and is a part of everyone’s currency, no matter how often or where they spend it.

Much love,

Dave