Episode 75: Are Strengths Overrated?

If you spent a single day in any business school or leadership development course, you likely learned at least 1 of the 50,000 models for evaluating strengths. Using one of these models, you probably identified a list of attributes at which you defined yourself as innately good. Your strengths. "I am naturally a people person." "I am really good at thinking big picture." "I am a great collaborator." Is there anything wrong in that so far? Maybe not. Here's where things take a turn in my book. The next piece of advice often is - "Work in your strengths. Find roles that highlight your strengths.  Don't focus on your weaknesses." But is that sound advice? Especially for someone who aspires to executive leadership? It's not obvious to me. Let's discuss this on today's podcast.