The Difference Between Strength and Weakness

By Darryl Stewart, Head of the Herd

I often talk about the power of focusing on what is right with ourselves and the people we manage and not dwelling upon what is lacking. In other words, focusing on strengths, not weaknesses.

But how do you tell the difference between a weakness and a strength that just needs some nurturing? I came upon a great definition of a strength that I know will help me with this.

Strengths are areas of endeavor where with practice and effort you can achieve consistent, near perfect, performance. Performance that is both excellent and fulfilling.

If I start working with someone on my team and encouraging them to focus more in an area I think they could excel at and I see things improving rapidly, their confidence and engagement level improving, and a new fire in their belly, I am going to go even harder at this. I will know I have struck the true gold of focusing on someone’s strengths.

IBEX Payroll extends our profound respect and immeasurable gratitude to all the ancestors and keepers of the land on whose traditional territories our work takes place. We acknowledge that we are on Treaty 1 territory, the traditional gathering place of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene people and the traditional homeland of the Métis people. This land is sacred, historical, and significant.

Every time we acknowledge this truth, we have an invitation and an opportunity to reflect on the wrongs of the past, what we do in the present, and what we can do to continually honour the people whose lands and water we benefit from today.

This statement only acts as a first step in honouring the land we reside on and its peoples, and must be paired with education, understanding and informed action.