“Build On Your Strengths"

 

The old saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" is a great way to live. Many times we buy into the myth if we or our organization wants to become better, find out what is wrong and fix it. In Proverbs 11:27, the wise writer proclaims, "If you look for good, favor will find you. If you are looking for evil, it will find you."

As leaders, we have the burden of handling many problems at the same time. The challenge is not to let troubles overwhelm you. Our tendency can be to try and fix everything we consider weak. However, remember to keep your focus on what is good, lovely and beautiful. What we cast our focus on, we will become. This is important to remember especially when we are in spiritual battle. Your opposer tries to get you off balance through faulty thinking. Let's examine some myths often disguised as truth.

Myth #1 - If you fix a weakness in an individual, the individual will become stronger. If you correct a weakness in an organization, it will become better. This does not make the person or organization better, only average. Excellence can be achieved only by focusing on strengths and managing weaknesses, not eliminating them. 

Myth #2 - Let the strengths take care of themselves. People think you don't waste time on doing what you already do well. That is wrong. Really concentrate on that to make the greatest gains. 

Myth #3 - Success is the opposite of failure. The catch here is the belief that strengths are the opposite of weakness. We are each one of a kind, with a unique set of strengths. We are not robots able to be trained for anything. We can & should try anything, but long-term success will elude us, unless we have a basic talent for the endeavor. 

Now that we have seen the myths, let us focus on what strengths can do.

Develop your strengths to the maximum; it becomes so great it overwhelms the weaknesses. What would happen if we studied what was right with people versus what's wrong with people? Improve the mental health of people by studying and recognizing good behavior. The study of strengths leads to an understanding of the difference between good and great. Ex. Freud studied sick people and so developed his theories. So, we can see the negative in people, but can we see people's strengths? Focus on the person's strength; it is the loving thing to do. 

Do not zero in on what your organization doesn't do well, emphasize what they do well and manage their weak areas. Ex. Don't focus on the Federal Deficit - Develop the strengths of the economy and manage the deficit. Maximum productivity can be gained by focusing on strengths. You will always be stronger when you have your successes and strengths clearly in mind. Keep, Keep, Keep them before you and your team. 

The study of strengths leads to productive conclusions. The study of weaknesses leads to ineffective conclusions. Studies show that ineffective leaders were reluctant to make decisions. Research has proved good leaders can make fast decisions. Outstanding leaders display tolerance for ambiguity & delay making decisions until all facts were in. Again, the focus should always be on the strengths and although the weaknesses are managed, they cannot be ignored. Focus on strengths by weeding out weaknesses. See what is weak, remove it and apply a strength. Sometimes you have to be courageous to get where you're going.

Get out of the trap of working blindly for the sake of working. Find out what you do well and do more of it. A lot of knowledge about one subject offers the integrating point for all other knowledge. Working on selected strengths is the route to excellence. Don't try to do all & be all. Focus on less and do a lot of what you do well. Drop activities you pursue with no constructive end. 

When we focus on our failures, we become overcome with emotional baggage. This is so unproductive for our health and happiness. Jesus Christ overcame every obstacle in this life. He paid for us to have the right and privilege to live our life learning from His. We have the continual opportunity to keep moving forward and blessing others. Build on strengths, the greatest one being our relationship with Jesus Christ.