Forget About Your Weaknesses – Amplify Your Strengths

We are who we are and act the way we act because that’s who we are. You can’t take the stripes off the tiger or rub the spots off a leopard. It’s in their DNA. We are born with a particular style – a certain way of behaving that is engrained in us at a very young age. We must embrace who we are and amplify our strengths instead of wasting time trying to improve our weaknesses. It’s only a weakness if it’s getting in the way of accomplishing our goals.

Research conducted by Dr. Carl Yung and Dr. William Marston shows that we have a natural personality—a natural way of behaving determined by our genetic makeup and environment. We prefer to communicate and interact with others in a certain way, and we like to manage and be managed by others in a certain way. It’s in our DNA.

‘The task of an executive is not to change human beings. The task is to multiply the performance capacity of the whole by putting to good use whatever strength or aspirations there are in individuals.’ – Peter Drucker.

We are all good at doing something. I used a behaviour assessment tool based on Marston’s findings to help identify my strengths. To identify what I’m good at. I recommend you do the same. DISC is easy to administer, and you don’t need a PhD to interpret the results.

D – Dominant personalities are direct and decisive. They make quick decisions when others cannot. They confront challenges or difficult situations head-on and keep the team focused.

I – Interpersonal personalities are optimistic and outgoing. They love being around people and will make themselves available to others. They are great communicators and have an innate ability to develop collaborative teams.

S – Steadiness personalities are sympathetic and cooperative. They are sensitive to others’ needs, meet agendas methodically and are great listeners. They will maintain the status quo.

C – Conscientious personalities are concerned and correct. They like things done the right way. They are thorough and will maintain high standards. They are your very best planners.

‘Whatever the circumstances of your life, the understanding of type can make your perceptions clearer, your judgements sounder, and your life closer to your heart’s desire.’ – Isabel Briggs Myers – The Myers Briggs Type Indicator.

There are occupations best suited for us based on our personalities. Don’t waste your time trying to improve what you don’t do well. Choose a career path that compliments what you do well. Forget about your weaknesses – amplify your strengths.

Copyright 2025. Brian Smith – Power Link Dynamics. Not to be reproduced without permission. Are you interested in learning more about DISC and how it will make you a better team member, manager or leader? Visit our website and download a FREE DISC lesson. Contact Brian if you are searching for a keynote speaker for your next event or planning a training session at your location. Brian specializes in soft skills training and leadership development.

Are You Missing Out On That Promotion?

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Your ability to manage your emotions and recognize and influence the emotions of others is considered an essential skill. We live in a hi-tech world, but your soft skills – empathy, patience, open-mindedness, your ability to communicate, listen and establish trust with others will play a significant role in your success. According to Dr. Daniel Goleman if you can’t make an emotional connection with those you work with and interact with you’ll have difficulty managing and leading others. Are you missing out on that promotion – listen to this podcast and discover what you can do to ensure you’ll get the offer.

Are You Missing Out On That Promotion

Your ability to manage your emotions and recognize and influence the feelings of others is considered an essential skill. We live in a hi-tech world, but your soft skills – empathy, patience, open-mindedness and your ability to communicate, listen and establish trust with those you work with and interact with will play a significant role in your success. According to Dr. Daniel Goleman’s research, sixty-seven percent of the competencies required to manage and lead others are emotionally based. If you can’t connect emotionally with others, you’ll have difficulty managing or leading them. Are you missing out on that promotion?

Worth Remembering – So much success has nothing to do with hard skills. – Harvey MacKay.

Soft skills won’t guarantee that promotion, but not having them puts you at risk of not getting the offer.

Empathy – is your ability to see things from another person’s point of view. Put yourself in their shoes and do what you can to help them.

Patience – is your ability to remain calm under pressure and accept delays or problems without becoming anxious or angry and lashing out at someone.

Open-mindedness – is your willingness to consider someone else’s point of view, whether new or different, before deciding on a course of action.

Communicating – is your ability to communicate in a way that others will understand. Whatever you say won’t mean anything if they haven’t received the message as you intended.

Listening – is your ability to give someone your undivided attention when they are speaking. Remember what Covey said—listen to understand, not necessarily to agree.

Trustworthiness – is your ability to establish trust. Whatever you say you’re going to do – do it. People must be able to trust what you say. If they can’t trust your word – they won’t trust you.

Worth Remembering – Likeability is a soft skill that leads to hard result. – Mo Bunnell.

Soft skills are people skills that are not negotiable. People like to work with people they like. Not everyone wants to lead – but everyone gets to decide who they want to follow. If no one is following you – you aren’t leading. Are you missing out on that promotion?

Copyright 2025. Brian Smith – Power Link Dynamics. Not to be reproduced without permission. Are you searching for a keynote speaker for your next event or planning an in-house training session. Brian works with people who want to learn how to communicate and interact more effectively, build collaborative teams, resolve conflict or motivate others to perform at their best regardless of gender of generation. Contact Brian to learn more.

Me Thinketh a Monologue Does Not a Dialogue Maketh

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Communication is’nt just something – communication is everything. I can’t think of a more valuable skill than having the ability to communicate effectively regardless of gender or generation. Communication is an exchange between one or more persons. Listen to my latest podcasts for tips and techniques on how to turn a monologue into a dialogue.