This is the third time in the last couple of months in which this has come up in my life: “The emphasis, in our schools, college classrooms, and workplaces on “correcting weaknesses” as opposed to encouraging people to play to their strengths is misguided and unproductive.” (11 ideas about which I may be wrong)
Also: The Secret to Being a Great Manager. (other context was a personal conversation.) To quote Ron at a little more length:
There are generally two reasons why I’m not good at some of the things my boss(es) want me to be better at: 1) I don’t like to do those things, and 2) I’m simply not wired to do those things well.
There are, however, some things I am good at. And the best managers I’ve had recognized those things and found ways to help me focus on those things and maximize my output on them. And not let me get dragged down by the things I’m not good at — and will never be.
Yeah, that. In that personal conversation, I realized that the best thing I got out of a years-ago crazy work situation was that otherwise crazy boss helped me get going on things I enjoyed doing, and gave me the encouragement to keep going.
And as I said in the comments, I’m also trying to apply that theory to volunteering and other aspects of my personal life. Really, life is too short to do stuff that you hate AND suck at, at least when there’s a choice.
I feel like there’s a whole bunch I want to add to this, but mostly it just felt more important than a tweet or whatever.