The Problem With Being Well-Rounded

wellrounded

Years ago, I was in a lecture. Personal success. That was the topic. One of the things the speaker said was that you need to pinpoint your weaknesses and then work on fixing them. So that you can become “well-rounded.”

I started to wonder, “Should that really be my approach to personal growth?” Now, there’s something to the whole “work on your weaknesses” idea. Some things you need to fix. But on the whole, I believe that focusing on your weaknesses is a waste of time, energy, opportunity, and happiness.

Forget Your Weaknesses

Rather than trying to be a well-rounded person, I recommend you just do what you’re great at and outsource the weakness. In other words, instead of working on your weakness, find other people to do what you’re weak at.

We try so much to achieve “balance.” What we really need is more imbalance. To focus on the few things we do great, and let the rest fall by the wayside.

Scientists at Gallup did lots of research on this. Their conclusion: the most effective leaders focus on developing strengths instead of fixing weaknesses (in themselves and in others).