In last week’s blogs (1,2) I wrote about the vital importance of knowing your weaknesses.  My general point was that it’s really an essential piece of anyone’s evolution to success.  Smart and successful people figure this out and surround themselves with people who are more skilled than they are, in the areas that they are lacking.

One of the reasons I was attracted to becoming a partner at Tidemark is that Ben Hess (founding partner and Managing Director) told me that his goal was to “surround myself with people smarter than me.”  Now we both knew what he really meant; not that I was smarter, but that I was smarter at certain things that he lacked.  In fact I have never been in the presence of four people (My Tidemark partners) who are so different in the skills they offer.

The way Ben accomplished his goal of rounding out a successful partnership, was to fill in the gaps where his skills were lacking.  He couldn’t have done this without some serious awareness regarding his weaknesses.

So here are five reasons to know your weaknesses:

1. Knowing your weaknesses will free up more time to develop your strengths.
2. Knowing your weaknesses will liberate you to ask for help where help is needed.
3. Knowing your weaknesses will help you delegate, hire, or surround yourself with people who will enjoy doing the things you don’t.
4. Knowing your weaknesses will help you find and make your best contribution.
5. Knowing your weaknesses will make your life and your business more productive.

Now, remember, we’ll all have to do things we aren’t good at or don’t like doing.  That’s just a fact of life – There are things that you simply must do.  But doing them with awareness can help you set aside time to do them first and get them out of the way.  Then you’re freed up to get on to the fun stuff. 

Editor’s Note:  This article was written by Dr. David Mashburn.  Dave is a Clinical and Consulting Psychologist, Partner at Tidemark, Inc. and a regular contributor to WorkPuzzle.  Comments or questions are welcome.  If you’re an email subscriber, reply to this WorkPuzzle email.  If you read the blog directly from the web, you can click the “comments” link below.