Know Your Strengths

As I’ve coached others to develop greater self-awareness over the years, I’ve found that people struggle with this. They don’t want to brag. They are their own worst critics. They are blinded by the negativity bias, the propensity to focus on the downside.

We need to know what we’re good at, what comes natural to us, our gifts. Knowing and applying them helps us fulfill our individual potentials. A flower garden without weeds (weaknesses) isn’t a flower garden at all without the flowers (strengths).

The power of knowing our strengths is no longer a secret. I recommend you take a strengths assessment to help you know your strengths.

When we know our strengths we can intentionally leverage them to bring our best selves to bear every single day.

Know Your Weaknesses

For many of you this won’t be difficult at all. The difficulty will be limiting your list (thanks to that nasty negativity bias again). However, to lead ourselves well, we must know where we fall short.

Once we identify our weaknesses, we can decide where to go from there. We can try to overcome a weakness or we may choose to compensate for it by surrounding ourselves with others who have our weaknesses as strengths. However, we can do neither without self-awareness.

By knowing our weaknesses, we are positioned to be on the lookout for how they may be undercutting our leadership. When we know our weaknesses we can choose how best to address them.

Know Your Values

Your values are your guiding compass. They are the deep-seated roots that make you tick. These are deeply held beliefs that guide your thoughts, emotions, and day-to-day behavior. They impact everything.

Think of the principles your parents instilled in you. Respect is earned not given. You will always be loved. You have what it takes. If you work hard enough you can accomplish anything. 

These values shape your worldview. They impact how you view yourself, other people, and the world around you.

When you know your values, you know what motivates you, what fuels your every action. What a powerful key to leading yourself.

Know Your Desires

Some of us grew up dreaming of making millions. Others of us dreamed of making a difference in the world. Some of us dreamed of being astronauts, while others dreamed of raising a family, or working in the family business. We all have dreams. Sadly, too many people give their’s up far too easily.

These dreams can shape our goals and desires. What is it you truly want in a family, a job, a home? What do you truly want in life? Money or power? Influence, love, or peace? Adventure or to make a difference?

When we know the desires of our hearts we can see where we’re going, the path we are on. When you know where you are going, you lead yourself in getting there.

Lead Yourself Well

To grow as leaders we must begin by learning to lead ourselves well. Leading ourselves well starts with building a strong foundation of self-awareness. As we discover our strengths, weaknesses, values, and desires we gain clarity in who we are. This is a life-long pursuit of self-discovery, learning, growth, and maturing.

Knowing yourself is what allows you to lead yourself well. As you lead yourself, so too, will you lead others – well.

Question: What makes leading yourself so hard? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this in the comments below, or on Facebook or Twitter.

• Book: Heroic Leadership by Chris Lowney
• Link: VIA Classification of Character Strengths
• Post: Strengths: No Longer a Secret Sauce