3 Strategies to Combat Your Leadership Weakness

Guest Article by Zach Clark

In order to heal, a patient must first acknowledge he is sick. Jesus, in His wonders and miracles, frequently sought ownership in the hurting and a desire for relief.

When Jesus noticed him lying there, knowing he had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to get well?” John 5:6

Some leaders seem to have an innate ability to influence followers, this is an incredible strength.

But, most of our strengths bring along with them a corresponding weakness. It’s important that we cultivate self-awareness of both the positive and negative aspects of each of our strengths.

Strengths have counterparts.

God designed much of our world in balance. This includes our talents.

Personally, I am a driven, results-oriented person. Many, including myself, view this as a strength. One result of this strength is my struggle with being content in the now with what I’m accomplishing and where I am in life.

What is your greatest strength? How does it manifest in your leadership? Do you notice a counterpart or shadow? Reflecting can help to make you more aware of growth potential in areas you may have brushed under the rug.

Strengths can’t be the only focus.

We live in a striving, never satisfied culture.

Paul warned us to be in this world, for this world, but not of this world. It’s time to look beyond your pros and into the cons column.

In fact – let’s redefine the pro and con labels! I want to challenge you to rewire yourself. Look at areas you are falling short of perfect as opportunities to learn and develop as a husband, a wife, a parent, a leader, a volunteer, a communicator, a listener …. a member of the human race.

Choose an area you have perceived as a weakness up to this point. Take action. Set aside a block of time in the next week to do some inner reflecting and commit to one activity you can try to grow in this area.

Strength stands on the shoulders of those who came before us.

Years ago, I learned a formula that has changed my life.

As a driven individual, I can be guilty at times of being so focused I settle for nothing short of perfection. There was a time when I would rather have taken no action than unsatisfactory action, but here’s what I have learned from Mark Miller.

Q x A = E

The quality of an idea multiplied by its acceptance is equal to its effectiveness.

Write this down. Tack it to a vision board or a place your gaze falls on a regular basis.

For example, your idea could be a homerun – full-blown 10 but not be welcome or accepted well. Perhaps only one person buys in. Its effectiveness is a weak 10.

I may have an idea that’s run of the mill – nothing mind-blowing. Simple. Straightforward. Let’s say it’s a 5 on a scale of 1-10. However, when this idea is implemented with precision and passion, its acceptance score of 7 places its effectiveness at a whopping 35!

If you’re waiting for perfection to move, you may as well get comfortable. Step out on a limb with the 5’s. See where it takes you.

True strength is found in a teachable spirit.

Rerouting well-worn pathways of thought is a challenge. We are all new creations in Christ.

There will be growing pains. I believe it to be entirely worth it.

I look forward to hearing about how you are being stretched as a leader! Be encouraged! I believe in you and can’t wait to see the results in your lives and ministries!

I’m working with many leaders around the country every day, and would love to share more with you about what they are learning that could be helpful to you in your own leadership journey. Sign up hereto receive more helpful leadership insights via text message on a regular basis to encourage you to move your ministry forward!