Strengths and Weaknesses

YOUR WEAKNESSES DON’T LIE
Others Know Them.
Why Don’t You?
Identifying Strengths & Weaknesses
Taking Steps To Improve
HARRISBURG BIZ LEADERS
A Venture of BARBUSH ENTERPRISES
James Eugene Barbush
Professional Engineer, Speaker, & Writer
in Leadership Development
March 12-14, 2013
Baltimore Convention Center
Session No R2.21 Thurs. March 14, 2013 10:00 am to 10:50 a1m

March 12-14, 2013
Session No R2.21 March 14, 2013 10:00 am to 10:50 a2m

We mostly think positively about ourselves, viewing, working in, and promoting our strengths. Leadership teachers rightly tell us to play to our strengths because strengths involve our passions, what we do well. But does anyone tell us to “focus” on our weaknesses? When leading in challenging situations, we may identify symptoms of our strengths/weaknesses based on our behaviors or results of our behaviors that surface and reactions from others. When we identify those things, we should Capitalize on strengths Recognize symptoms of weaknesses Determine weaknesses Make necessary changes in ourselves and what we do. This session will delve into Identifying strengths/weaknesses Taking steps to improve further on what we do well Making changes where necessary.
Others Know Them.
Why Don’t You?
ABSTRACT
3

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1)IDENTIFY YOUR SYMPTOMS OF WEAKNESSES It’s dangerous to ignore them
2)DETERMINE WEAKNESSES (?) Turn to strengths
3)IDENTIFY YOUR STRENGTHS They reveal your hidden weaknesses
4)MAKE NEEDED CHANGES Or your flaws can be fatal
5)RESOURCES FOR HELP Getting you where you need to be
Others Know Them.
Why Don’t You?
4

OUTLINE
1. INTRODUCTION
2. STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES
3. SYMPTOMS
4. THE FATAL FLAW
5. EXAMPLES
6. WHAT’s THE CORE PROBLEM
7. WHAT TO DO
8. CHANGE MANAGEMENT or DISASTER MANAGEMENT
9. APPENDIX: Report of Harrisburg Biz Leaders
March 12-14, 2013
Session No R2.21 Thurs. March 14, 2013 10:00 am to 10:50 5a m

INTRODUCTION
March 12-14, 2013
6

NFMT IS
FROM
AROUND THE WORLD?
7

STRENGTHS
&
WEAKNESSES
March 12-14, 2013
8

9
MY STAIRWAY TO DISCOVERY and DESTINY
DESTINY
SUCCESS
ADVENTURE
LEADING
SPEAKING
WRITING
READING
CATCH MY WAVE
THIS IS BASED ON STRENGTHS

STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES VIDEO “How To Build On Your Strengths” MARCUS BUCKINGHAM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ5t8g3MCyk “Building Strengths or Fixing Weaknesses” JACK ZENGER http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yScEAL1yxks
10

SYMPTOMS
March 12-14, 2013
11

12
SYMPTOM
WEAKNESS
SYMPTOM
SYMPTOM
SYMPTOM
SYMPTOM
SYMPTOM
SYMPTOM
SYMPTOMS of WHAT?

RECOGNIZING WEAKNESSES
“How to Overcome a Weakness”, By C J Carter,
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Overcome-a-Weakness&id=656256
In the opening of the article, C J Carter states:
“All people like to view themselves in a positive light.
No one likes to be considered a failure or a lesser human being. But everyone has weaknesses.
Most of the time
people tend to
ignore their weakness and
focus on showcasing their positive attributes.
There’s nothing wrong with showing your positive attributes but you can't ignore your weaknesses.
When people ignore the things that they are bad at,
it tends to come back on them later in life.
I agree. Do you?
13

RECOGNIZING WEAKNESSES “How to Overcome a Weakness”, By C J Carter, http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Overcome-a-Weakness&id=656256 Do we recognize our weaknesses Or Can we be blind to certain weaknesses? HERE ARE CHOICES THAT WE MIGHT MAKE: IGNORE IT We do not even consider how we are doing. We just plow on through leaving a wake of damage. WRONG PERCEPTION We think we are doing right We truly do not know HELPLESS We know we are weak in an area We have not figured out how to change ACTION We know we have weaknesses We take steps to improve ourselves.
14

RECOGNIZING WEAKNESSES
“How to Overcome a Weakness”, By C J Carter,
Can we self-diagnose the weaknesses in ourselves?
What is a better way to reveal a weakness and discover the full impact of that weakness:
an accountability partner –
Someone who knows us,
someone who we trust,
someone who is familiar with what we are doing,
someone who can critique us properly, and
someone who we can accept proper criticism from.
15

THE
FATAL FLAW
March 12-14, 2013
16

THE FATAL FLAW Reference Blog Article Attached: “The Fatal Flaw - The Most Essential Element for Bringing Characters to Life” By Dara Marks http://www.writersstore.com/the-fatal-flaw-the-most-essential-element-for-bringing-characters-to-life I remember “way back in high school literature” (and that is way back), we were taught about the “fatal flaw” in a character in a story. As defined by Dara Marks in the attached article, “The FATAL FLAW is a struggle within a character to maintain a survival system long after it has outlived its usefulness. What that makes me think is that we can operate with a weakness, not recognize it, and not do anything about it, then eventually we are not going to survive in what we are doing because the way we are doing it is deficient and that way will outlive its usefulness. Thus, the weakness becomes fatal to what we are doing. If that is possible, then we must address our weaknesses, our weaknesses, not others weaknesses.
17

EXAMPLES
March 12-14, 2013
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FATIGUE
WEAKNESS
?
AFFECTED SOCIAL LIFE
SYMPTOM
UNABLE TO WORK EFFECTIVELY
IRRATABILITY
EXAMPLE – A HEALTH ISSUE

SYMPTOMS FATIGUE IRRATABILITY INABILITY TO WORK EFFICIENTLY AFFECTED SOCIAL LIFE CAUSE LACK OF SLEEP? STRESS? LOW T? LACK OF EXERCISE? COUNSEL DOCTOR SLEEP STUDY CAUSE DETERMINED THE WEAKNESS SLEEP APNEA
THE FIX How Is Sleep Apnea Treated? Lifestyle Changes Mouthpieces Breathing Devices CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) Surgery
EXAMPLE - A HEALTH ISSUE
20

21
WEAKNESS?
SYMPTOM
EXAMPLE – A MANAGER
IRRATIBLE
MESSY OFFICE
MANY
PROJECTS
WORK UNDONE

SYMPTOMS CLUTTERED OFFICE INCOMPLETE WORK MANY PROJECTS CAUSE TOO MUCH WORK? NOT ENOUGH TIME? NOT ENOUGH EMPLOYEES? UNTRAINED STAFF? COUNSEL SUPERVISOR EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION CAUSE DETERMINED NOT FOCUSING
THE FIX
EXAMPLE – A FACILITIES MANAGER
22

WHAT’s THE
CORE PROBLEM
March 12-14, 2013
23

WHAT IS THE CORE PROBLEM? ENTREPRENEUR DEVELOPMENT GROUP “What is the CORE PROBLEM?” I CAN’T FIX SYMPTOMS Something deeper causes symptoms What lines beneath?
24

WHAT IS THE CORE PROBLEM? Lisa Heintzelman, Illuminations Consulting, I focus on MAXIMIZING THE POTENTIAL of individuals, teams, & organizations. STRENGTHS rather than weaknesses With a focus on “development” Helping people use skills they already have effectively
25
EXAMPLE
I CAN’T DO SALES but I AM “CONSULTATIVE”

WHAT TO DO
March 12-14, 2013
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ADMIT READ MENTORSHIP – INDIVIDUAL & GROUP ASK – HOW AM I DOING? LOOK AROUND & SEE SYMPTOMS EVALUATE
27
WHAT TO DO

“Success in Life How to Overcome Your Weaknesses” By Jason Osborn http://ezinearticles.com/?Success-in-Life---How-to-Overcome-Your-Weaknesses&id=575209 In your journey to success you will encounter weaknesses in your life, if you don't deal with them, will hinder or stop you altogether from reaching success. Having weaknesses isn't really the big deal because we all have them. if you don't overcome those weaknesses, that's where you are in trouble. Here are 3 keys you can use to overcome your weaknesses.
1.Learn how to improve it.
2.Surround yourself with people's strength.
3.Learn from others.
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CHANGE MANAGEMENT
OR
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
March 12-14, 2013
29

IT’s YOUR CHOICE:
DISASTER MANAGEMENT …..... or …… CHANGE MANAGEMENT
IT IS going to be
ONE or THE OTHER
.
.
Here’s the revelation that came out of the
Roundtable Discussion of
Harrisburg Biz Leaders, Friday, October 12, 2012
.
With the recognition that there is something amiss in what is happening around you, and
if you have the authority to resolve it,
then you must accept the responsibility
to take action to get it resolved.
.
Sounds simple enough…..or is it?
.
Is there more there than meets “the eye“?
.
30

IT’s YOUR CHOICE:
CHANGE MANAGEMENT …....... or ………. DISASTER MANAGEMENT
IT IS
going to be
ONE or THE OTHER
.
4 characters you can choose for your response (or not) to issues that exist:
The Blind. Can you see the issue and do you know it’s a problem?
Surely others around you might see it.
The Deaf. Have others told you about something they think is a problem or could be improved, and for various reasons, you do not act on or respond to their input? Maybe you decided that the issue need not be addressed. You may be right, or wrong. Are you confident with your decision?
The Timid. Do you see the issue but are not addressing it?
Are you ignoring it? Others may be wishing you would address it.
The Responsible. Have you decided that the issue must be addressed, and you are will to accept responsibility to take active and make plans for changes. You might not know how to go about it. Even if you do, a good policy would be to get another “set of eye” to help you through the changes needed to resolve the issue.
31

IT’s YOUR CHOICE:
DISASTER MANAGEMENT …....... or ………. CHANGE MANAGEMENT
IT IS going to be
ONE or THE OTHER
So, of the 4 characters above,
The Blind, The Deaf, The Timid, or The Responsible,
“what are you good at doing”
when you sense something is wrong.
It might be a minor item or a major one. You sense something is not quite right and you just have not put your finger on it. You either don’t take the time to assess what’s happening or you know what’s happening and you just don’t want to face it. Or, maybe you know what’s wrong and need some help to get it resolved.
Pick one of the above characters, and determine to enter some form of
Change Management before you must enter Disaster Management.
.
32

THE END
See Appendix
for
More Information
March 12-14, 2013
33

OFFICE: 2021 BLUE MOUNTAIN PARKWAY HARRISBURG, PA 17112 717-514-5549 JamesEBarbush@GMail.com
The Business Look
The Catch A Wave Look
THANK YOU
34
Success Facilitator Leadership Developer Speaker
34

James Eugene Barbush of Barbush Enterprises is a Professional Engineer with 40 years of professional experience. He has had a balanced Civil Engineering career with private and public sector experience, majoring in contract administration, dispute resolution, legislative interpretation, staff training, multiple aspects of design, construction, and management, and working with all levels of staff and management.
James retired in August 2010 and launched Barbush Enterprises that includes (1) Professional Speaking and Writing on Leadership Topics, (2) Business Development for A/E firms, and (3) Use of Social Media venues to broadcast his messages.
In September 2011, James founded and launched Harrisburg Biz Leaders, a roundtable forum for biz leaders to further develop their leadership skills, to share their leadership skills with others, and to network for their biz. Harrisburg Biz Leaders is operated out of a state-of-the-art Social Media Platform called a Social Hub Site (http://bizleaders.socialhubsite.com)
James has presented on leadership topics at NFMT Baltimore annually since 2007, with 2013 being his 7th successful presentation at NFMT.
A Venture of
BARBUSH ENTERPRISES
SPEAKER BIO
35

James Eugene Barbush You can find me on-line at: Social Hub Site for “Harrisburg Biz Leaders”: http://bizleaders.socialhubsite.com/ Social Hub Site for “G42-The 42nd Generation”: http://g42the42ndgeneration.socialhubsite.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JamesEBarbush Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jamesebarbush E-Mail: JamesEBarbush@GMail.com
36

37
OUR MOTTO is
“Building Leaders for Today's Success"
OUR OBJECTIVE is
“Building People Into Leaders They Are Destined To Be”
OUR OFFERINGS are
“Guaranteed to
INSPIRE Leaders, Management, and Project Teams,
and thus
MOTIVATE Them in Ways to Boost Their Proven SUCCESS”
The Focus
of
BARBUSH ENTERPRISES

March 12-14, 2013
Session No R2.21 March 14, 2013 10:00 am to 10:50 3a8m

APPENDIX
This Appendix is supporting information and is
not part of the 50 minute session.
It is provided to give the viewer sufficient
information that the powerpoint slides do not
show.
March 12-14, 2013

REPORT OF HBL SESSIONS
April 26 and May 11, 2012
“Identify
Strengths and Weaknesses….
and
Make Needed Changes”
40

YouTube Channel by JamesEBarbush Playlist: 0 LEADERSHIP – Crossroads http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL654BC96ED6C121FE&feature=view_all This YouTube playlist has numerous videos on leadership that are viewed at HBL Sessions, both inspirational and educational.
“Building Strengths or Fixing Weaknesses”
Jack Zenger
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yScEAL1yxks
“How To Build On Your Strengths”
Marcus Buckingham
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ5t8g3MCyk
VIDEOS
“Identify Strengths and Weaknesses….
and Make Needed Changes”
41

How to Overcome a Weakness
By C J Carter
Success in Life: How to Overcome Your Weaknesses
By Jason Osborn
http://ezinearticles.com/?Success-in-Life---How-to-Overcome-Your-Weaknesses&id=575209
The Fatal Flaw: The Most Essential Element for Bringing Characters to Life
By Dara Marks
http://www.writersstore.com/the-fatal-flaw-the-most-essential-element-for-bringing-characters-to-life
What Can You Do With A Noxious Boss? Bу:Jobs Collector
http://www.jobscollector.com/what-can-you-do-with-a-noxious-boss.html?goback=%2Egde_76367_member_110054160
8 Core Beliefs of Extraordinary Bosses
Sales Source newsletter
http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/8-core-beliefs-of-extraordinary-bosses.html
Blog Articles
“Identify Strengths and Weaknesses….
and Make Needed Changes”
42

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
In the book “First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently”, Marcus Buckingham teaches that in leading other we should play to their strengths and not focus on their weaknesses. He makes a good case for that and I largely agree with him.
An important distinction is that Buckingham is telling us how to lead OTHERS. The focus is their strengths, not their weaknesses. Find out where people are strong and put them in situations that fit them in their strengths. Do not expect them to operate well in situations where they are weak.
The focus of this discussion is
not how we lead others in THEIR strengths, and
not how we lead in OUR strengths,
but what do we do about OUR weaknesses.
We have strengths…..and weaknesses.
43

ISN’T IT EASY for us to recognize
what we think are weaknesses in others?
IS IT EASY to recognize our own weaknesses?
Maybe not.
We might not even recognize our weaknesses, and thus not do anything about fixing or making provisions to overcome them.
WHAT HAPPENS IF
We do not recognize our own weaknesses and address them to make some changes in how we lead?
WHAT HAPPENS IS
We affect others adversely.
We affect our followers and those around us adversely because we are leading out of our strengths as well as out of our weaknesses.
44

I am not going to advocate that we must be able to identify and fix all our weaknesses. Maybe we can’t.
If we cannot identify and fix our weaknesses, we need to find someone to assess the symptoms that result from our weakness.
If we know where we are weak, we can delegate certain responsibilities if we are not suited to doing them.
This is a big topic that cannot be fully discussed in a brief presentation. Surely, there is “a book” to be written about this.
My purpose here is to point to some high points using two recent sessions conducted by Harrisburg Biz Leaders on this topic.
45

CONCEPTS DISCOVERED
BY
PARTICIPANTS
OF
1 Awareness 2 Cause or Symptom 3 Check-Up 4 Criticism 5 Evaluation 6 Get Help 7 Identify 8 Knowing Self 9 Listen 10 No Condemnation 11 Passion 12 Perception 13 Perseverance 14 Recognize 15 Reversal 16 Strength = Weakness 17 Teams 18 Vision
46

CONCEPTS DISCOVERED BY PARTICIPANTS OF HARRISBURG BIZ LEADERS 1. Awareness We can be aware of a weakness and thus act appropriately in a given situation to avoid adverse affects in a situation. Thus, we control ourselves in a way so that our weakness is not controlling us. 2. Cause or Symptom Get to the root of the problem (the weakness) and do not focus on symptoms. A cracked wall could be caused by a cracked foundation. Therefore, patching the crack does not fix the problem. 3. Check-Up As we do physically to get a medical check-up, we should also have a check-up on our leadership skills. Consider your business to be like a human body. What is the brain (knowledge base)? What is the heart (people, passion)? What are the legs (foundation)? And so on. There is a study waiting to be done on this concept. 4. Criticism We must be able to take constructive criticism. Leave your ego at the door. Identify what the challenges are, aim at continual improvement, determine where you want to be. 5. Evaluation In working with weaknesses, we should be in a positive and safe environment. Example: Toastmasters knows how to excellently critique speakers showing what is being done well, and make suggestions for improvements. It’s a win-win critique. 6. Get Help Get someone stronger than you are. Personal and professional. 7. Identify Look at results and ask why they are happening. 8. Knowing Self Part of recognizing our weaknesses comes with “knowing ourselves”, knowing what we can and cannot do well. 9. Listen Listen to others and connect with them. 10. No Condemnation Don’t beat yourself up for a weakness. Recognize that we all have weaknesses and we all need to make improvements. Seek advice and help when weaknesses are difficult to overcome (accountability partner, books, videos, other inspiration). 11. Passion If you are passionate about what you are doing, then we can be passionate about fixing our weaknesses. It’s connected to the accomplishment of your vision. 12. Perception Is perception is reality? How others perceive you might not be what you intend to project. Ask for feedback that helps you and others, and creates more trust. 13. Perseverance There will always be some obstacle on the way. That makes for a great journey, a great experience 14 Recognize We should maximize our strengths and identify areas for continual improvement. If we recognize and deal with our 15. Reversal Turning the negative to the positive 16. Strength = Weakness Strengths and weaknesses are not mutually exclusive. A greatest strength could be our greatest weakness. Example: We operate with energy and passion. There are times when active energy and passion is appropriate and there are times when inactivity and quietness appropriate. Choose wisely. 17. Teams Identify and document weaknesses of a team or system. 18. Vision Review your vision and ask how weaknesses get in the way of the accomplishment of your mission and vision.
47

CONCEPTS DISCOVERED BY PARTICIPANTS OF HARRISBURG BIZ LEADERS 1. Awareness We can be aware of a weakness and thus act appropriately in a given situation to avoid adverse affects in a situation. Thus, we control ourselves in a way so that our weakness is not controlling us. 2. Cause or Symptom Get to the root of the problem (the weakness) and do not focus on symptoms. A cracked wall could be caused by a cracked foundation. Therefore, patching the crack does not fix the problem. 3. Check-Up As we do physically to get a medical check-up, we should also have a check-up on our leadership skills. Consider your business to be like a human body. What is the brain (knowledge base)? What is the heart (people, passion)? What are the legs (foundation)? And so on. There is a study waiting to be done on this concept. 4. Criticism We must be able to take constructive criticism. Leave your ego at the door. Identify what the challenges are, aim at continual improvement, determine where you want to be. 5. Evaluation In working with weaknesses, we should be in a positive and safe environment. Example: Toastmasters knows how to excellently critique speakers showing what is being done well, and make suggestions for improvements. It’s a win-win critique. 6. Get Help Get someone stronger than you are. Personal and professional.
48

CONCEPTS DISCOVERED
BY ATTENDEES HARRISBURG BIZ LEADERS
7. Identify Look at results and ask why they are happening.
8. Knowing Self Part of recognizing our weaknesses comes with “knowing ourselves”, knowing what we can and cannot do well.
9. Listen Listen to others and connect with them.
10. No Condemnation Don’t beat yourself up for a weakness. Recognize that we all have weaknesses and we all need to make improvements. Seek advice and help when weaknesses are difficult to overcome (accountability partner, books, videos, other inspiration).
11. Passion If you are passionate about what you are doing, then we can be passionate about fixing our weaknesses. It’s connected to the accomplishment of your vision.
12. Perception Is perception is reality? How others perceive you might not be what you intend to project. Ask for feedback that helps you and others, and creates more trust.
49

CONCEPTS DISCOVERED BY ATTENDEES HARRISBURG BIZ LEADERS 13. Perseverance There will always be some obstacle on the way. That makes for a great journey, a great experience 14 Recognize We should maximize our strengths and identify areas for continual improvement. If we recognize and deal with our 15. Reversal Turning the negative to the positive 16. Strength = Weakness Strengths and weaknesses are not mutually exclusive. A greatest strength could be our greatest weakness. Example: We operate with energy and passion. There are times when active energy and passion is appropriate and there are times when inactivity and quietness appropriate. Choose wisely. 17. Teams Identify and document weaknesses of a team or system. 18. Vision Review your vision and ask how weaknesses get in the way of the accomplishment of your mission and vision.
50

RECOGNIZING WEAKNESSES Reference Article Attached: “How to Overcome a Weakness”, By C J Carter, http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Overcome-a-Weakness&id=656256 In the opening of the article, C J Carter states: “All people like to view themselves in a positive light. No one likes to be considered a failure or a lesser human being. But everyone has weaknesses. Most of the time people tend to ignore their weakness and focus on showcasing their positive attributes. There is nothing wrong with showing your positive attributes but you can't ignore your weaknesses. When people ignore the things that they are bad at, it tends to come back on them later in life. I agree. Do you? Do we recognize our weaknesses, or can we be blind to certain weaknesses? Think about that and I’m sure you have the answer. In whatever case, what do we do about weakness? Here are choices we might make: Ignore It. We do not even consider that how we are doing something involves a weakness. We just plow on through leaving a wake of damage thinking everything is fine, or not concerned about what has happened. And the cycle repeats. Wrong Perception. We think we are doing right and truly do not know that we are causing problems. Helpless. We know we are weak in an area, but have not figured out how to make a change to make improvements. Action. We know we have weaknesses and take steps to improve ourselves. Can we self-diagnose the weaknesses in ourselves? Maybe. But what is a better way to reveal a weakness and discover the full impact of that weakness: an accountability partner - Someone who knows us, someone we trust, someone who is familiar with what we are doing, someone who can critique us properly, and someone we can accept proper criticism from.
51

THE FATAL FLAW Reference Blog Article Attached: “The Fatal Flaw - The Most Essential Element for Bringing Characters to Life” By Dara Marks http://www.writersstore.com/the-fatal-flaw-the-most-essential-element-for-bringing-characters-to-life I remember “way back in high school literature” (and that is way back), we were taught about the “fatal flaw” in a character in a story. As defined by Dara Marks in the attached article, “The FATAL FLAW is a struggle within a character to maintain a survival system long after it has outlived its usefulness. What that makes me think is that we can operate with a weakness, not recognize it, and not do anything about it, then eventually we are not going to survive in what we are doing because the way we are doing it is deficient and that way will outlive its usefulness. Thus, the weakness becomes fatal to what we are doing. If that is possible, then we must address our weaknesses, our weaknesses, not others weaknesses.
52

March 12-14, 2013

Strengths and Weaknesses

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