Also, what about the traits that are neither outstanding strengths or horrible weaknesses? Again, I think if you have a passion to improve it, you will, eventually. Also Marcus Buckingham just put up a tweet that sometimes certain tasks don’t get easier to do over time, despite continuing effort. Should you refrain from what is difficult for you? Even if you really want to do it?

Good point, in context you using this term – you are absolutely right
We just have to be careful using words, because it is jut labels and we may assign different meaning to it

Because I am interested in subject of personalities and so on, I have totally different meaning to the term “strength”.

Love reading your blog

Agreed. It all depends on how you refer to strengths, and in your picture it may be accurate.

However, a less sophisticated use of the term strength often boils down to “what you’re good at” and weakness as “what you’re not good at.” Few people make the core vs surface distinction you’re talking about.

Some people say things like “I’m not good at drawing,” implying that they don’t draw well, never have and never will. When in truth, the big difference separating stick-figure’s to art is practice. Limiting yourself based on your current “strengths” and “weaknesses” is dangerous.

-Scott

Excellent article. I just come it across today. Thank you for that.

I just want to bring some point.

You talked about labels here. I think you use term strength not as some people might use it.

You talked about extrovert vs. introvert here. Being an introvert doesn’t make you a poor at public speaking. This is misconception. It is what I called a surface thinking.

There is a difference between intuitive strength and surface strength.
In my opinion the best and easiest way to find out about intuitive strength is either by talking test (the only really worthy one so far I found is KOLBE Index A and maybe Strength Finder 2.0 worth a look) or become aware of patterns. THIS IS THE KEY. Things you do over and over and over again can be your intuitive strength or weakness.

(Here is one of my patterns) For example I know that whatever I do in any area I see the big picture and do not pay attention to details.

That is the reason I do not like accounting, I don’t like numbers, I don’t enjoy math or physics that much, my logic is not great. (Do you see pattern here).
But I can see big picture, I can pick up on people emotions, can see if relationship is going to work out, can recognize a lot of traits just by looking on someone face without knowing any details and so on. (pattern opposite to first one)

That what I assume by strength. How I use this information depends on me and you don’t have to box yourself in by some concepts, but it is still clear to me that we must focus on our strengths but at the same time we need to be aware of our weaknesses (not focus on them, just aware) and manage it accordingly.

In Steve Pavlina example I think you made clear point that you can excel in more then one area and, which i totally true but what is example is not showing is that to do that Steve must have been using one of his core strength to excel in all of those areas.

lesson learned: never assume that you are bad at something, because there might be an area in that subject that you’re really good at (a little rough, but you get the idea ;P)