You Are Your Business's Strengths and Weaknesses

I have good news and bad news. The good news is that, as the leader of a business, you have the most power of anyone in your team, and your strengths become the strengths of your business. 

Whatever behavior you value and reward multiplies. For example, if you reward integrity, then your team will have an incentive to behave with integrity. 

The bad news is that, by the same token, your weaknesses become the weaknesses of the business. Behavior you don't value and reward falls away because there's no advantage for your team to do those things. 

For example, if you reward profit at all costs regardless of integrity, then your team will have an incentive to behave without integrity. Look at the scandals at Enron, Arthur Anderson, Wells Fargo, etc. and how they damaged those companies brands and financial performance. 

This is The Leadership Trickle Down Law: A business takes on the personality of its leader, and the strengths and weaknesses of the leader become the strengths and weaknesses of the business. 

But wait, I have more good news. We all have blind spots, but since you have so much control in this situation, you can discover your weaknesses and remedy them through acquiring new skills, delegating the tasks you don't do well, or hiring talented people who have the skills you lack. 

So, how do assess your strengths and weaknesses? Feedback is the breakfast of champions, so regularly seek feedback on your performance as a leader and make improvements accordingly. Capitalize on your strengths and remedy your weaknesses--like any champion would do. eh? 

Don't be a stranger: (770) 993-1129, tdockery@TheResolveFirm.com