Are you misjudging strengths as weaknesses?

Part 1 of 2: Judging Others.

2 of the 34 Cliftonstrengths Strengths Themes shared in this post

How often do you catch yourself in these situations—either as the one casting judgment or as the one under the lens?

Have you hated co-workers or leaders who are endlessly digging in their rabbit holes for more info and insights without ever taking action? Some are even full of ideas—tons of them—but none ever seem to leave the brainstorming stage. They got you impatient, mumbling in your heart “when are they gonna DO something?”

Or maybe there’s that co-worker who’s perpetually seeking validation, and for their contributions to be seen as substantial, powerful and significant. Has your self-righteousness ever judged those that crave for recognition, crave to be heard and to be valued that “Every good act they do is all about themselves. I don’t wanna be like them.”?

Working with colleagues or leaders who appear to lack competence can be frustrating. But what if these perceived weaknesses are actually signs of underlying strengths at work—albeit at times ‘malfunction’. Instead of judging, what if we chose to objectively help them work on these ‘malfunctions’ and tap into their superpowers for the good of all?

Take that so-called ‘inaction’ from the ‘rabbits’, for example. What if it’s actually their natural curiosity, their relentless quest for knowledge, driving them to dig deeper? This kind of curiosity is a hallmark of entrepreneurial spirit—a passion for the world’s endless possibilities. Sure, they might seem stuck in an endless loop of research, but you will love them one day when you need resources and insights. So instead of getting frustrated, choose to help them channel their resourcefulness into actionable steps to facilitate growth and performance of the team, turning ‘input’ into tangible output.

For those whom our self-righteousness despises, appreciate that such people genuinely want the world to be a better place. Instead of pulling away, how about leaning in, recognizing their efforts and, in turn, empowering them to do even more? If self-promotion isn’t your thing as a leader, why not leverage their enthusiasm to highlight the team’s accomplishments?

When we shift from judgementalism to discernment, we start to see the true potential in ourselves and others. Instead of tearing each other down, we build each other up, creating a more supportive, growth-focused environment. Such is the power of embracing strengths.  

Focusing on strengths of individual entails a shift from judgmentalism to discernment – objectively discerning the innate talents of individuals, hone in on these talents with untiring practice, and turn them into strengths to be tapped into for success.

I’ve made the choice to approach others with understanding and support, to help them - and myself, tap into our strengths for greater outcomes. In Part 2, I’ll share my personal reflections on this journey.

How about you? Are you ready to shift lens?