Why is it important to maximize your strengths? 

Marcus Buckingham quote, “You will excel only by maximizing your strengths, never by fixing your weaknesses.” Knowing your strengths and weaknesses helps you improve yourself to grow. When you know your strengths, you make a better improvement for yourself as you use your strengths to boost your confidence. 

When you transition from corporate America to entrepreneurship – you will need confidence – and people. The people you are in need of collaboration with consist of subject matter experts, paid professionals, and mentors. A business resume highlights your strengths. Your weaknesses should be documented in a personal career development plan – with actionable tasks assigned to them. These two areas should never be avoided. It keeps you focused.

Always remember, your personal development and growth as an entrepreneur are important. When you know your weaknesses, you can quickly identify the subject matter experts, paid professionals, and mentors you need to help you succeed.  “No man is an island is a great quotation written by John Donne.” The meaning of this great quotation is that no person in this world can survive alone as all of us need a community or a group of people to enjoy a better life. It reinforces the importance of teamwork and collaboration. 

In the construction world, there is this phrase – my husband often says, 

“When one man eats, we all eat.”

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses also helps you to collaborate well with others. 

How you translate or transfer your strengths from your prior experience to your current leadership role in your own business is key. One of the main reasons entrepreneurs fail is trying to do things all by themselves. 

In closing, have a teachable spirit, know your strengths and attract the right talent to complement your weaknesses, and you are guaranteed a win! Developing a business plan in advance helps you discover what key professionals you will need in order to run a successful business.  

Always remember, you might be fearless alone, but you are stronger together when you work with key professionals who specialize in their area of work – and complement your weaknesses. For example, to name a few:

• Accountant
• Small Business Attorney
• Intellectual Property Attorney
• Real Estate Attorney
• Media Attorney 
• And so on… 

In closing, maximize your strengths, and surround yourself with professionals who complement your weaknesses. Ultimately, it saves you time and you’ll see your business flourish.