Strength is also weakness
There is no question one sees similar occurrences with individuals and/or companies having enormous success due to particular strategies. And while things are working successfully, why change? Someone coined the adage, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”. It seems too that we can become superstitious; that is to say, provided we keep doing exactly the same, not changing any routines, then we will not change our success.
There is no doubt that what brings us success needs to be clearly understood; because if we can repeat the steps, the mechanisms, the strategies, the decisions we give ourselves best chance of repeating success. However, in understanding the means to success, it will become obvious that there are many events, circumstances outside our control which have the capacity to impact upon us achieving the desired outcomes.
Consequently, there is a need to build into the personal ‘formula’ for success, ‘fall back’ strategies or options – a range of actions and strategies that will help counter obstacles to continuing success. By utilizing these appropriate measures, it allows us to return to our strengths, our success ‘formula’ as quickly as possible.
Some of these ‘fall back’ options include –
The ability to recognize when proven methods are potentially under threat of not being able to be sustained
An ability to remain objective in analysing performance so that decision making is not blinded by a devout loyalty to the proven success ‘formula’…. change the saying to, “if it ain’t broke, break it!”
Be fully appreciative of all your personal resources (staff, energy, negative changes in internal environment, ) to ensure they are what they need to be to maintain your success
Never underestimate the capacity of human endeavour to achieve great deeds
We all want to continually play to our strengths – in sport, in business, in life. To think that our strengths will always overcome or be greater than those with whom we compete is poor planning and poor leadership. Achilles, the indestructible Greek warrior, fatally ignored that there was any weaknesses to his great fighting ability, and that it would always be his saviour.
Understand your strengths and use them as often as possible. But also understand to use them as your only means of achieving success, leaves you vulnerable to defeat.
KEY MESSAGES
Know clearly what your strengths are.
Identify quickly when these strengths are not the appropriate strategies for the prevailing circumstances.
Ensure you have ‘fall back’ options for those times when your strengths are not working.
