(This post first appeared on Linkedin)
Taking a strengths-based approach is all the rage. It seems that every day there's an article or post about how we should focus on strengths when developing people, why we should match people’s strengths to work assignments, and how to hire people based on their strengths. This is for good reason. There has been a lot of research conducted on the tremendous benefits of using strength-based approaches.
When I talk with leaders about using a strengths-based approach, they often fear not addressing weaknesses. They have been trained to identify and fix gaps in performance. These gaps are usually in areas where our performance is weak. Setting aside weaknesses to work on growing strengths goes against what they have learned about gaining better performance in people.
The issue of setting weaknesses aside is addressed in a number of models. For example, Zenger Folkman conducted extensive research and advocates for focusing on strengths once fatal flaws are addressed. In my research, I found that you could comfortably set aside weaknesses as long as a weakness wasn’t a derailer – a weakness so profound that it overshadowed strengths and significantly decreases the likelihood of successful performance.
So assuming there wasn’t a fatal flaw, what do we do with weaknesses? Well, you really don’t have to do anything with them. Over time, you will help people grow their strengths and the weaknesses will improve too.
The reason for this is that there's a ripple effect. When you change one thing, it has an impact on others. The best way to explain this is by sharing an example. When I first started conducting training classes, I found I was really good at learning the materials, setting up the room, and conducting the training. My area of weakness was quickly engaging participants during the first few minutes of training. Since I was new, I was nervous and didn’t start well. In this example, if I worked on being better prepared, I would be able to grow that strengths to the point where I knew the material so well that I didn’t need any supporting guide and was totally comfortable with the content. If I improved that strength, my weakness would naturally improve.
As long as a weakness isn’t a derailer (or a Fatal Flaw), you can comfortably continue focusing on growing strengths. Remember that everything we do has consequences. Improving one skill often leads to improvements in others.