Seeing Red Cars: Careful—a deal-breaking weakness can overshadow your strengths. Deal with it.
Ask your supporters to help identify your weaknesses
Do you have a weakness that may or may not be apparent to you, but is blazingly obvious to those around you? Examples:
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Every time a female team member faces a new or unfamiliar situation, she reacts with facial expressions that cross between sheer terror and outright anger. Her coworkers are instantly put-off by her dramatic reaction. The organization is frustrated that her negative response, a reflex for which she is unaware, undermines their efforts to create a change-adaptive culture.
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A soccer parent on the sidelines gets so emotionally involved in the action on the field that he explodes in uncontrollable rants. It embarrasses his wife, his son, and the rest of the players and parents. It doesn’t matter how many strengths he may have or what they are, because they are overshadowed by his weakness.
I talk a lot about strengths and emphasize their importance, but perhaps equally important is addressing weaknesses. While you may never be able to reverse a weakness, accomplishment of goals relies upon awareness of weaknesses so you can bring them to neutral. And, once you clearly identify areas where you are weak, you can bring in others to work with you who are strong in those areas.
So how do you bridge the gap between a deal-breaking weakness and neutral? Start with awareness. Identify your weaknesses yourself, if you think you know them. Even if you feel like you do know your weakness, ask your supporters for their “take.” When does it come up? What situations bring it to light? What exactly does it look like?
Once you know, you can take action. Pre-plan what your positive response will be and then be alert to situations that trigger negative reactions. Catch yourself before your instincts take over. Respond with positive intentions instead.
Contend with your weaknesses and bring them to neutral so when that perfect job, project or opportunity comes knocking, your strengths are able to shine brightly independent of the shadow of a deal-breaking weakness.
If you want to drive yourself, your team and your organization to a positive future, I am excited to offer the process and toolkit that can get you there. Check out the resources at seeingredcarsbook.com.
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What types of situations trigger negative reactions?
What would you rather be thinking or feeling when a negative situation happens?
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Seeing Red Cars the book is available from popular retailers through our book website, seeingredcarsbook.com.
____________ Laura Goodrich Innovator l Author l Expert Speaker Radio l TV l Program Host Internationally Recognized Expert in Workplace Dynamics and Change Email: laura@onimpactproductions.com Website: www.onimpactproductions.com Business: 952-856-6071 Mobile: 952-240-1516 SKYPE: laura.goodrich OOVOO: Laura Goodrich Author: Seeing Red Cars: Driving Yourself, Your Team and Your Organization to a Positive Future is available at Amazon http://amzn.to/aj0IUm or Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/c5F1j7 Seeing Red Cars — Mindset to Win — Forbes Magazine http://blogs.forbes.com/mindmakeover/2011/02/03/seeing-red-cars-mindset-to-win/ Program Host and Author: Seeing Red Cars Film: www.seeingredcars.com Book: www.seeingredcarsbook.com FB: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seeing-Red-Cars-with-Laura-Goodrich/179858525374208?v=wall App: Seeing Red Cars “I Want Statement” iPhone/ iPad http://bit.ly/afWHOx Seeing Red Cars Products: http://bit.ly/cB29Tq Program Host and Author: Shifting Years: Leverage the Power of Generations Film: www.shiftingyears.com FB Shifting Years: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shifting-Years-Leverage-The-Power-of-Generations/129830580411162 Radio Host: FutureWork http://www.blogtalkradio.com/laura-goodrich TV Host and Producer: Life to the Max http://www.lifetothemax.tv/about.html Laura Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laura-Goodrich/164266833612423?v=wall Twitter: http://twitter.com/lauragoodrich Blog: http://lgoodrich.posterous.com/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/lauragoodrich Seeing Red Cars FB: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seeing-Red-Cars-with-Laura-Goodrich/179858525374208?v=wall Seeing Red Cars Book: Amazon ( http://amzn.to/aj0IUm ) or Barnes and Noble ( http://bit.ly/c5F1j7 .) Shifting Years FB: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shifting-Years-Leverage-The-Power-of-Generations/129830580411162?v=wall Slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/LauraGoodrich Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/35914444@N07/

