1. Self-Awareness
FULLBRIDGE THE PROBLEM SOLVER’S MINDSET
How to Assess Personal Strengths, Weaknesses, and Problem-Solving Preferences
Getting to Know Your Personal Toolkit
Everyone has a unique toolkit—strengths and weaknesses—that directly shapes how they approach and solve problems. Clearly identifying your toolkit is critical for personal and professional success. According to Gallup research, people who use their personal strengths daily are six times more engaged at work and experience significantly higher productivity and satisfaction. Knowing your strengths and acknowledging your weaknesses allows you to choose roles, projects, and opportunities that set you up for success.
Understanding Your Natural Problem-Solving Preferences
Beyond just strengths and weaknesses, understanding your natural problem-solving preferences—whether you’re analytical, creative, practical, or collaborative—can transform your effectiveness.
Consider Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx. Blakely’s creative and practical problem-solving preferences allowed her to identify a common, overlooked challenge—women’s clothing discomfort—and develop an innovative, highly effective solution. Understanding her natural blend of creativity and practical execution enabled Blakely to turn a simple idea into a billion-dollar business, transforming an entire industry and empowering millions of women worldwide.
Reflect, Identify, and Adapt for Success
Assessing your toolkit isn’t about labeling yourself; it’s about strategic insight. By reflecting intentionally, you can identify areas to improve, lean on your strengths more confidently, and adapt your problem-solving style effectively when challenges arise. As famed philosopher Lao Tzu once advised:
“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”
Your greatest competitive advantage comes from genuinely understanding yourself.
Three Takeaways
Assessing your strengths and weaknesses helps you leverage what you’re naturally good at, boosting productivity and satisfaction.
Understanding your preferred problem-solving style enhances your ability to tackle challenges effectively.
Regular personal reflection accelerates growth, adaptability, and self-confidence.
Your Mission
Your mission is to conduct an honest reflection on your personal strengths, weaknesses, and preferred problem-solving style. By clarifying exactly what you’re good at, acknowledging areas for growth, and understanding how you naturally approach problems, you’ll position yourself to become a more confident, effective, and impactful problem solver.