Want to be a part of a team of Mediocrity?

“While you have had a good year and contributed to the successes we have enjoyed, it appears your weakness is [pick your least-favourite topic]. I'd like you to sign up for "course x" to help strengthen that weakness”

 It felt like a death sentence. Being ‘encouraged’ to take a course about something I hate evoked a rather strong visceral reaction that wasn’t positive!

 Been there?

Lately I’ve been asked the following – often – [to which I reply]

"I have to strengthen my weaknesses" [what will this give you? what will it cost you?]

"Will my weaknesses be a hindrance?" [if they are critical for the job, possibly. Do you really want that job?]

"What would you recommend I do about my weaknesses?" [Does a coach tell that Olympic caliber sprinter "your shot put sucks: let’s work on that”?]

A friend pointed out that the logic – attempting to strengthen one’s weaker areas – is a flawed approach. In a team of 8 people, if everyone works to strengthen their weaker areas, you’ll end up with a team of 8 mediocre performers.  However, in a diverse team of varied strengths if everyone works to build on their strengths, you’re more likely to have a team of strengths…far beyond mediocre.

Which team would you prefer to be on?

Which team would you prefer to lead?

Last question: What is the value of that interview question: tell me about your weaknesses? For me, I want to know your super-powers. Knowing in advance your strengths and that you cannot leap tall buildings in a single bound allows me to build that diverse team – I’ll get the specialist for that.