Build on Your Strengths

Janet was sick and tired of trying to "get" bookkeeping. She was originally hired to handle customer service calls and service delivery. Then someone decided that all employees needed to be cross trained. In Janet's opinion cross training is one thing, making her a bookkeeper was entirely another.

Margo the bookkeeper was even more perplexed trying to handle calls from all those complaining customers. She didn't even like happy customers. She liked books.

Does your company make people do work they are not suited for?

The answer is probably yes.

Maybe this is showing up as the phenomenal sales person who always seems bewildered now that he has been promoted to sales manager. Perhaps it is the copy clerk who just does not want to learn new skills but he can copy and correlate at an exceptional pace.

This happens because we have been told almost from birth that we must work on our weaknesses. A certain level of balance is necessary but we should not spend too much time on our weaknesses.

To spend too much time on our weaknesses is like an Olympic athlete, say a tall beach volleyball player switching positions with a gymnast just to become more well rounded. They would not do this so why do you insist on doing it?

Focus on your strengths. If you are a gymnast, practice being the best you can be at gymnastics. Don't worry about what the volleyball players are doing.