Nate’s Notes 111: Strengthening Strengths Beats Improving Weaknesses | Joe Folkman

What great lessons Joe shared about leadership.

First, when people receive feedback about their strengths and weaknesses, they often choose to focus on their weaknesses. But Joe’s research, based on one million assessments of 80,000 leaders, shows that people tend to be better off strengthening their strengths rather than improving their weaknesses.

Second, building complementary strength builders can help us strengthen our strengths. For example, by improving our assertiveness, we can improve our honesty.

In summary, strengthening on strengths often beats improving weaknesses. And Joe’s work shows us how to do it.

It’s a simple idea. Please take it seriously

Joe Folkman Bio:

Joe Folkman is co-founder and President of Zenger Folkman, a firm specializing in leadership and organizational development. As one of the nation’s renowned psychometricians, his surveys and assessments utilize a database comprised of over one million assessments on over 80,000 leaders

Joe’s clients include AT&T, General Motors, General Mills, Wells Fargo, and Yale University, he has published nine books, and his research has been published in the Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal.

Joe holds a doctorate degree in Social and Organizational Psychology, as well as a master’s degree in Organizational Behavior from Brigham Young University.