Creative Energy Officer

Failure has a hard time of it in our world. Generally, people are not quick to regard some of their experiences as failures even when it is clear that none of the original objectives were met and people suffered. It is called loss.

I know that when I have failed that I tend to look at what personal liabilities or weaknesses led to that conclusion. This practice, in itself, is a good step, but most folks (like me) stop there. If we do continue, we tend to look for ways to cover up or rid ourselves of this liability. (Oh, gully. We lost out on that account because I was unorganized. I need to work on my organization and next time, we’ll get better.)

This thinking is totally inane, unproductive and wrong…according to Dave Rendall, author, professor and speaker, in his Freak Factor Blog. Instead, Rendall proposes that professionals and business leaders should be using their list of weaknesses as clues to what will make me stronger and more successful.

Some of the most compelling points of Dave’s ideas:

• Your flaws are clues to your real strengths.
• There is nothing wrong with you. Everyone has weaknesses.
• You cannot do both: strength building and weakness elimination.
• Being “well-rounded” makes you mediocre.
• Seek out the situations or opportunities that will build you up on your strengths.
• As a manager…DON’T try to change people. They are freaks, too. Find the situations and opportunities for them to build on strengths.

This counterintuitive approach makes sense from application in my life. I think that I have beat my head against the wall on many issues. Really, when it comes down to it, I have seen some of my biggest flaws generate success. It allows me to be real and share a story.

Here is the link to Dave Rendall’s Manifesto. It is worth the few minutes it will take to read it.

HOMEWORK

Find what stengths you have that offset your supposed weakness.

EXTRA CREDIT

How can you inspire those that you lead to do the same?

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Jeremy Nulik, Creative Energy Officer (CEO), St. Louis Small Business Monthly