Too often business owners are too busy trying to fix things and be everything to their business. They are the marketing executive, sales manager, project coordinator, customer service manager, lead consultant - and the list goes on. These people are the ones that are often heard saying “I can do it better than anyone else,” and “I don’t trust anyone with my work.” This is literally a recipe for disaster because it limits your effectiveness.
The best way to understand this is to think of a game of competitive team sport. It could be basketball, soccer or even volleyball. Logically, the position that each person plays should always reflect the individual’s area of greatest strength. For example, in a game of soccer, the best striker should play striker and the best defender should play defender. This strategy makes total logical sense, especially if the team wants to have any chance of being competitive.
Now in the business context, the same strategy holds true. Unfortunately, here is the bad news. As logical and practical as this strategy is, businesses simply aren’t implementing this. They’ve mixed up the strikers with the defenders; the sales people with the managers; the financiers with the administration. And the worst part about it is this – they aren’t even aware of it and as a result, they’re paying the price for it.
Being Great Is All About Working In Your Strengths
I want you to consider all the great sports stars that ever existed. One particular individual I have in mind is Tiger Woods. The strength of his game was always going to be in his amazing long game and putting – never his out of bunker shots. Not to say that Tiger Woods totally ignored his weakness, however, his likelihood of dominating the golf arena rested upon his ability to maximise and continually work on his strength rather than fixing his bunker shots (weakness). The same can be said about business.
The reality is that you are only one person. And at any given time, you can only do one thing or another – but never both simultaneously. By the same token, you can either focus on developing and stretching your key strengths, or work on fixing your weaknesses. Now if you’re serious about creating extraordinary results, then you have probably already realised by now that this can only be achieved by working on your area of greatest strengths. And the way to do this is to start identifying and noticing the things that you do in your business that only you can do, and that you excel in.
Putting It Into Practice
So for example, if you’re noticing that you have a talent for attracting new clients and building long term customer relations in your business, then you are going to want to devote more time in this area. And at the same time, if you are noticing that there are areas that are clearly weaknesses, be willing to manage around this by delegating these roles to other team members or outsourcing it. For example, accounting may not be your forte, so it is as easy as finding a suitable book-keeper or accountant to work along side you.
Make The Most of You
The momentum that this strategy will create for you and your business is phenomenal. Because in the moment you are able to manage around your weaknesses, you have just freed up more time so that you can shine and be at your best. This translates into more results for your business, more growth and therefore more money. Always have the mindset of being in the role and doing things that allows you to capitalise on your strengths rather than fixing your weaknesses. This also gives the right of way for other people to shine in their area of strength and together, you are able to create a much more effective, efficient and healthier business financially.
Taking It Away
• You can’t be all things to your business.
• Devote more time developing your strengths.
• Manage around your weaknesses and consider delegating where appropriate.
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