Getty
Everyone has a mixture of strengths and weaknesses; fortunately, with work, it is possible to improve both strengths and weaknesses. Part of being an effective entrepreneur and leader is recognizing areas where you might need help or improvement and actively working in those areas so that you and your business can continue to grow.
But figuring out how to improve isn’t always easy, so to help you out, nine members of the Young Entrepreneur Council discuss some of the ways they actively work on their weaknesses in order to grow as leaders and business owners.
1. Looking for opportunities to practice
I found it difficult to speak in public and to present in front of a large audience. I knew that if I wanted to grow as a leader, I had to work on this weakness and improve my public speaking skills. To work on this, I asked for feedback from my team and worked with a coach. I made efforts to improve my public speaking skills by practicing daily in front of the mirror. I actively looked for opportunities to speak in front of a small crowd. It helped me become more comfortable with public speaking. A good leader must always demonstrate self-awareness and a growth mindset. Just by acknowledging your weakness, you can become a better leader for your business. – Benjamin Rojas, all-in-one SEO
2. Embracing new experiences
Stepping out of our comfort zones is essential for growth and development, not just as leaders but as individuals. I believe that embracing new experiences and continually pushing ourselves to try new things can help us leverage our strengths while improving our weaknesses. A practical example of this in my life is my recent decision to incorporate exercise into my daily routine, despite my initial hesitation and lack of previous experience in sports. I recognize the vital role physical activity plays in maintaining physical and mental wellbeing, and I look forward to seeing how this small step towards new challenges can positively impact my overall growth and ability to leadership. – Miles Jennings, Recruiter.com
3. Recognizing my limits
My biggest weakness is that I push myself and rarely say “no” when someone asks me to do something. To combat this, I worked on ways to better delegate my daily tasks and responsibilities. Because I’m a leader, it’s important to recognize my limits and trust others to help me with some of the workload. By delegating tasks, I can free up time and energy to focus on what’s really important and lead my team effectively. Not everything I do needs my immediate attention and I have to trust that other people can help me. I constantly remind myself to be patient and celebrate my progress along the way. – Andrew Saladino, Kings of Kitchen Cabinets
4. By surrounding myself with those I admire
I surround myself with peers that I admire. No matter what field you work in, it can be so easy to be jealous of the accomplishments of your peers. “They got a promotion after working less than me? Where is my promotion? or “They have a new office? Should I change offices?” There comes a time when you have to say goodbye to identity and recognize that your peers have a lot to teach you. If they kill the game, learn from it. One of my favorite ways to incorporate this into my life was to start a content creation channel with my sister. I trust him completely to tell me when my content isn’t hitting its mark or when something needs improvement. Having these honest comments from someone I look up to has been a huge factor in my growth. – Isabelle Shee, GROW
5. Taking my education into my own hands
I started exploring search engine optimization in 2013 as part of growing our business. At the time, I had no idea how SEO worked, although I had some knowledge of search algorithms as a software engineer. However, I was determined to learn and improve in this area. I started by reading books, watching lots of videos during Google office hours, and experimenting with different methods. Through a process of continuous learning, my team and I have mastered SEO, and we continue to engage in continuous learning today to stay current with the constant changes in search engines. This experience highlights the importance of continuous learning to address weaknesses and grow as a leader, especially in areas where formal education may not be readily available. – Kazi Mamun, CANSOFT
6. Leveraging self-accountability checks
I use self-responsibility checks to actively work on myself. I ask myself and my team the following questions: “What do I tolerate?” As in, what do I tolerate about myself, my clients, my team, my career? The next question is “What am I avoiding?” Is there something I’m afraid of, or keeping me up at night, or dreading? I find that when you tolerate things, it breeds resentment and bad boundaries. When you avoid something, it usually means you need extra support in that area. These self-responsibility checks are extremely valuable. – Rachel Beider, Modern Massage PRESS
7. Asking for feedback
We all have a mix of strengths and weaknesses; what matters is our pursuit of continued growth. One way to actively work on my weaknesses is to ask people close to me what elements of leadership I could improve on. As humans, we rarely accurately assess our strengths and weaknesses, and I found it incredibly helpful and humbling to hear what I could do better from people I trust. Of course, the most important thing is to implement what you’ve learned in a meaningful way. It’s one thing to know what needs improvement, and quite another to put it into concrete steps. For example, if you struggle with delegating responsibilities, you might find it helpful to use EOS Worldwide’s Delegate and Elevate tool. I constantly read books and use resources like this to grow as a leader. -Ryan Meghdies, Tastic Marketing Inc.
8. By learning from others
An effective way to work on my weaknesses is to learn from others who have been successful in leadership and try to incorporate a similar approach. This endless process brings out my weaknesses and provides me with a guide on how to overcome them. I’ve found that the key to improvement is to keep building a better version of yourself by learning from uncompromisingly successful people. You can’t be perfect, but you can always improve and achieve better results in life. – Kelly Richardson, Infobrandz
9. By having advisors to lean on
As a leader, it’s so important to have advisors and mentors to lean on. I’ve found that’s the only way to get regular feedback on your strengths and weaknesses. Beyond building your advisory board, it’s important to schedule regular check-ins so that you and your advisors can develop a cadence of accountability. Without experienced people in your corner who constantly give you feedback, there is no way to learn and grow as a leader. – Arian Radmand, IgnitePost
