PM Thought of The Week: Emphasize Strengths, Develop Weaknesses

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, including project managers. But how many of us periodically take a "hard" at what we do well and what we don't do so well? If you're someone who doesn't review your strengths and weaknesses, consider this 5-step plan:

• Identify Your Strengths
  What do you do best? What's the best way to incorporate your strengths into your career? If today's plan gets off track, how can your strengths help get back on track?
• Identify Your Weaknesses
  What are your challenges? What's a good plan to help improve your challenges? How can you turn your challenges into strengths?
  
• Get Feedback from Your Support Group
  What does your support group think your strengths and weaknesses are? What would they suggest you do to take advantage of your strengths and develop your challenges? How can you incorporate feedback into an action plan?
  
• Emphasize Your Strengths, Develop Your Weaknesses
  Implement your action plan to exploit what you do well and improve in the areas where you are challenged. Make adjustments as needed.
• Review Strengths & Weaknesses Monthly
  Each month, repeat the plan starting at step 1. Add a monthly task to your to do list today as a reminder.
  

The bottom line: Always seek to make yourself a better Project Manager and a better "you".