The Book Of Philippians: Living, Belonging, and Knowing Christ
LEADERSHIP - NFMT 2013 Strengths & Weaknesses
1. March 12-14, 2013
Baltimore Convention Center
YOUR WEAKNESSES DON’T LIE
Others Know Them.
Why Don’t You?
Identifying Strengths & Weaknesses
Taking Steps To Improve
HARRISBURG BIZ LEADERS
A Venture of BARBUSH ENTERPRISES
James Eugene Barbush
Professional Engineer, Speaker, & Writer
in Leadership Development
Session No R3.21 Thurs. March 14, 2013 10:00 am to 10:50 am
1
2. March 12-14, 2013
Baltimore Convention Center
HARRISBURG BIZ LEADERS
A Venture of BARBUSH ENTERPRISES
James Eugene Barbush
Professional Engineer, Speaker, & Writer
in Leadership Development
Session No R3.21 March 14, 2013 10:00 am to 10:50 am
2
3. HARRISBURG BIZ LEADERS
A Venture of
BARBUSH ENTERPRISES
SPEAKER James Eugene Barbush
Professional Engineer, Speaker, & Writer
BIO in Leadership Development
James Eugene Barbush of Barbush Enterprises is a Professional Engineer with 40
years of professional experience. He has had a balanced Civil Engineering career with
private and public sector experience, majoring in contract administration, dispute resolution,
legislative interpretation, staff training, multiple aspects of design, construction, and
management, and working with all levels of staff and management.
James retired in August 2010 and launched Barbush Enterprises that includes (1)
Professional Speaking and Writing on Leadership Topics, (2) Business Development for
A/E firms, and (3) Use of Social Media venues to broadcast his messages.
In September 2011, James founded and launched Harrisburg Biz Leaders, a
roundtable forum for biz leaders to further develop their leadership skills, to share their
leadership skills with others, and to network for their biz. Harrisburg Biz Leaders is
operated out of a state-of-the-art Social Media Platform called a Social Hub Site
(http://bizleaders.socialhubsite.com)
James has presented on leadership topics at NFMT Baltimore annually since 2007,
with 2013 being his 7th successful presentation at NFMT.
3
4. James Eugene Barbush
You can find me on-line at:
Social Hub Site for “Harrisburg Biz Leaders”:
http://bizleaders.socialhubsite.com/
Social Hub Site for “G42-The 42nd Generation”:
http://g42the42ndgeneration.socialhubsite.com/
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/JamesEBarbush
Linkedin:
www.linkedin.com/in/jamesebarbush
E-Mail:
JamesEBarbush@GMail.com 4
5. The Focus
of
BARBUSH ENTERPRISES
OUR MOTTO is
“Building Leaders for Today's Success"
OUR OBJECTIVE is
“Building People Into Leaders They Are Destined To Be”
OUR OFFERINGS are
“Guaranteed to
INSPIRE Leaders, Management, and Project Teams,
and thus
MOTIVATE Them in Ways to Boost Their Proven SUCCESS”
5
6. NFMT
IS
FROM
AROUND THE WORLD
At this session there were approx. 200
attendees from many states in the USA,
Canada, Argentina, Ireland, Trinidad,
and other places.
6
7. March 12-14, 2013
Baltimore Convention Center
OUTLINE
1. INTRODUCTION
2. STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES
3. SYMPTOMS
4. THE FATAL FLAW
5. EXAMPLES
6. WHAT’s THE CORE PROBLEM
7. WHAT TO DO
8. CHANGE MANAGEMENT or DISASTER MANAGEMENT
APPENDIX: Results Report by Harrisburg Biz Leaders
Session No R3.21 Thurs. March 14, 2013 10:00 am to 10:50 7
am
9. YOUR WEAKNESSES DON’T LIE
Others Know Them. ABSTRACT
Why Don’t You?
We mostly think positively about ourselves,
viewing, working in, and promoting our strengths.
Leadership teachers rightly tell us to play to our strengths
because strengths involve our passions, what we do well.
But does anyone tell us to “focus” on our weaknesses?
When leading in challenging situations, we may identify symptoms of our
strengths/weaknesses based on our behaviors or results of our behaviors that
surface and reactions from others.
When we identify those things, we should
• Capitalize on strengths
• Recognize symptoms of weaknesses
• Determine weaknesses
• Make necessary changes in ourselves and what we do.
This session will delve into
• Identifying strengths/weaknesses
• Taking steps to improve further on what we do well
• Making changes where necessary. 9
10. YOUR WEAKNESSES DON’T LIE
Others Know Them.
Why Don’t You?
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1) IDENTIFY YOUR SYMPTOMS OF WEAKNESSES
It’s dangerous to ignore them
2) DETERMINE WEAKNESSES
Turn to strengths
3) IDENTIFY YOUR STRENGTHS
They reveal your hidden weaknesses
4) MAKE NEEDED CHANGES
Or your flaws can be fatal
5) RESOURCES FOR HELP
Getting you where you need to be
10
11. March 12-14, 2013
Baltimore Convention Center
STRENGTHS
&
WEAKNESSES
11
12. MY STAIRWAY TO
DISCOVERY and DESTINY
DESTINY
SUCCESS
CATCH MY WAVE ADVENTURE
LEADING
SPEAKING
WRITING
READING
THIS IS BASED ON STRENGTHS 12
13. VIDEO
“How To Build On Your Strengths”
MARCUS BUCKINGHAM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ5t8g3MCyk
“Building Strengths or Fixing Weaknesses”
JACK ZENGER
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yScEAL1yxks
13
16. RECOGNIZING WEAKNESSES
“How to Overcome a Weakness”, By C J Carter,
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Overcome-a-Weakness&id=656256
In the opening of the article, C J Carter states:
“All people like to view themselves in a positive light.
No one likes to be considered a failure or a lesser human being.
But everyone has weaknesses.
Most of the time
people tend to
ignore their weakness and
focus on showcasing their positive attributes.
There’s nothing wrong with showing your positive attributes
but you can't ignore your weaknesses.
When people ignore the things that they are bad at,
it tends to come back on them later in life.
I agree. Do you? 16
17. RECOGNIZING WEAKNESSES
“How to Overcome a Weakness”, By C J Carter,
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Overcome-a-Weakness&id=656256
Do we recognize our weaknesses
Or
Can we be blind to certain weaknesses?
HERE ARE CHOICES THAT WE MIGHT MAKE:
IGNORE IT We do not even consider how we are doing.
We just plow on through leaving a wake of damage.
WRONG PERCEPTION We think we are doing right
We truly do not know
HELPLESS We know we are weak in an area
We have not figured out how to change
ACTION We know we have weaknesses
We take steps to improve ourselves. 17
18. RECOGNIZING WEAKNESSES
“How to Overcome a Weakness”, By C J Carter,
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Overcome-a-Weakness&id=656256
Can we self-diagnose the weaknesses in ourselves?
What is a better way to reveal a weakness and discover
the full impact of that weakness:
an accountability partner –
Someone who knows us,
someone who we trust,
someone who is familiar with what we are doing,
someone who can critique us properly, and
someone who we can accept proper criticism from.
18
20. THE FATAL FLAW
Reference Blog Article Attached:
“The Fatal Flaw - The Most Essential Element for Bringing Characters to Life”
By Dara Marks
http://www.writersstore.com/the-fatal-flaw-the-most-essential-element-for-bringing-characters-to-life
I remember “way back in high school literature” (and that is way back), we
were taught about the “fatal flaw” in a character in a story.
As defined by Dara Marks in the attached article,
“The FATAL FLAW is a struggle within a character
to maintain a survival system
long after it has outlived its usefulness.
What that makes me think is
we can operate with a weakness, not recognize it, not do anything about it,
then eventually we are not going to survive in what we are doing because
the way we are doing it is deficient and that way will outlive its usefulness.
Thus, the weakness becomes fatal to what we are doing.
If that is possible, then WE MUST ADDRESS OUR WEAKNESSES…….
…….our weaknesses, not others weaknesses. 20
22. EXAMPLE – A HEALTH ISSUE
FATIGUE IRRATABILITY
WEAKNESS
?
UNABLE TO
WORK AFFECTED
EFFECTIVELY SOCIAL
LIFE
SYMPTOM
22
23. EXAMPLE - A HEALTH ISSUE
SYMPTOMS THE FIX
FATIGUE How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?
IRRATABILITY Lifestyle Changes
INABILITY TO WORK EFFICIENTLY Mouthpieces
AFFECTED SOCIAL LIFE Breathing Devices
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)
Surgery
CAUSE
LACK OF SLEEP?
STRESS?
LOW T?
LACK OF EXERCISE?
COUNSEL
DOCTOR
SLEEP STUDY
CAUSE DETERMINED
THE WEAKNESS
SLEEP APNEA 23
24. EXAMPLE – A MANAGER
MESSY IRRATIBLE
OFFICE
WEAKNESS
?
MANY WORK
PROJECTS UNDONE
SYMPTOM
24
25. EXAMPLE – A FACILITIES MANAGER
SYMPTOMS THE FIX
CLUTTERED OFFICE
INCOMPLETE WORK
??????
MANY PROJECTS
CAUSE
TOO MUCH WORK?
NOT ENOUGH TIME?
NOT ENOUGH EMPLOYEES?
UNTRAINED STAFF?
COUNSEL
SUPERVISOR
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
CAUSE DETERMINED
NOT FOCUSING
25
26. March 12-14, 2013
Baltimore Convention Center
WHAT’s THE
CORE PROBLEM
26
27. WHAT IS THE CORE PROBLEM?
ENTREPRENEUR DEVELOPMENT GROUP
“What is the CORE PROBLEM?”
I CAN’T FIX SYMPTOMS
Something deeper causes symptoms
What lines beneath?
27
28. WHAT IS THE CORE PROBLEM?
Lisa Heintzelman, Illuminations Consulting
I focus on
MAXIMIZING THE POTENTIAL
of individuals, teams, & organizations.
STRENGTHS rather than weaknesses
With a focus on “development”
Helping people use skills they already have effectively
EXAMPLE
I CAN’T DO SALES but I AM “CONSULTATIVE”
28
30. WHAT TO DO
1. ADMIT
2. READ
3. MENTORSHIP – INDIVIDUAL & GROUP
4. ASK – HOW AM I DOING?
5. LOOK AROUND & SEE SYMPTOMS
6. EVALUATE
30
31. “Success in Life
How to Overcome Your Weaknesses”
By Jason Osborn
http://ezinearticles.com/?Success-in-Life---How-to-Overcome-Your-Weaknesses&id=575209
In your journey to success
you will encounter weaknesses in your life,
if you don't deal with them,
will hinder or stop you altogether from reaching success.
Having weaknesses isn't really the big deal because
we all have them.
if you don't overcome those weaknesses,
that's where you are in trouble.
Here are 3 keys you can use to overcome your weaknesses.
1. Learn how to improve it.
2. Surround yourself with people's strength.
3. Learn from others.
31
32. March 12-14, 2013
Baltimore Convention Center
CHANGE MANAGEMENT
OR
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
32
33. IT’s YOUR CHOICE:
DISASTER MANAGEMENT or CHANGE MANAGEMENT
IT IS
going to be
ONE or THE OTHER
.
.
Here’s the revelation that came out of the
Roundtable Discussion of
Harrisburg Biz Leaders, Friday, October 12, 2012
.
With the recognition that there is something amiss in what is
happening around you, and
if you have the authority to resolve it,
then you must accept the responsibility
to take action to get it resolved.
.
Sounds simple enough…..or is it?
.
Is there more there than meets “the eye“? 33
34. IT’s YOUR CHOICE:
CHANGE MANAGEMENT …....... or ………. DISASTER MANAGEMENT
IT IS
going to be
ONE or THE OTHER
.
4 characters you can choose for your response (or not) to issues that exist:
The BLIND. Can you see the issue and do you know it’s a problem?
Surely others around you might see it.
The DEAF. Have others told you about something they think is a problem or
could be improved, and for various reasons, you do not act on or
respond to their input? Maybe you decided that the issue need not
be addressed. You may be right, or wrong. Are you confident with
your decision?
The TIMID. Do you see the issue but are not addressing it?
Are you ignoring it? Others may be wishing you would address it.
The RESPONSIBLE. Have you decided that the issue must be addressed, and you
are will to accept responsibility to take active and make plans
for changes. You might not know how to go about it. Even if you
do, a good policy would be to get another “set of eye” to help you
through the changes needed to resolve the issue. 34
35. IT’s YOUR CHOICE:
DISASTER MANAGEMENT …....... or ………. CHANGE MANAGEMENT
IT IS going to be
ONE or THE OTHER
So, of the 4 characters above,
The Blind, The Deaf, The Timid, or The Responsible,
“what are you good at doing”
when you sense something is wrong.
It might be a minor item or a major one.
1. You sense something is not quite right and you havn’t put your finger on it.
2. You don’t take the time to assess what’s happening or
3. You know what’s happening and you just don’t want to face it.
4. You know what’s wrong and need some help to get it resolved.
Pick one of the above characteristics, and determine to enter some form of
Change Management before you must enter Disaster Management.
. 35
36. March 12-14, 2013
Baltimore Convention Center
THE END
See Appendix
for
More Information
36
37. 37
James Eugene Barbush
OFFICE: 2021 BLUE MOUNTAIN PARKWAY
HARRISBURG, PA 17112
717-514-5549
JamesEBarbush@GMail.com
Success Facilitator
Leadership
Developer
Speaker The Catch A Wave
Look
The Business
THANK YOU
Look 37
38. March 12-14, 2013
Baltimore Convention Center
HARRISBURG BIZ LEADERS
A Venture of BARBUSH ENTERPRISES
James Eugene Barbush
Professional Engineer, Speaker, & Writer
in Leadership Development
Session No R3.21 March 14, 2013 10:00 am to 10:50 38
am
39. March 12-14, 2013
Baltimore Convention Center
APPENDIX
This Appendix is supporting information and is
not part of the 50 minute session.
It is provided to give the viewer sufficient
information that the powerpoint slides do not
show.
Session No R3.21 March 14, 2013 10:00 am to 10:50 39
am
40. RESULTS REPORT
By Harrisburg Biz Leaders
Two Sessions
April 26 and May 11, 2012
“Identify Strengths and Weaknesses….
and
Make Needed Changes”
Harrisburg Biz Leaders conducted 2 sessions on this
topic. The following slides include information from the
Results Report for the 2 sessions.
The Results Report provides the information discussed
and learned during the sessions.
40
41. REPORT OF HBL SESSIONS
April 26 and May 11, 2012
“Identify Strengths and Weaknesses….
VIDEOS
and Make Needed Changes”
YouTube Channel by JamesEBarbush
Playlist: 0 LEADERSHIP – Crossroads
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL654BC96ED6
C121FE&feature=view_all
This YouTube playlist has numerous videos on leadership
that are viewed at HBL Sessions, both inspirational and
educational.
“Building Strengths or Fixing Weaknesses”
Jack Zenger
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yScEAL1yxks
“How To Build On Your Strengths”
Marcus Buckingham
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ5t8g3MCyk
41
42. REPORT OF HBL SESSIONS
April 26 and May 11, 2012
“Identify Strengths and Weaknesses….
Blog Articles
and Make Needed Changes”
How to Overcome a Weakness
By C J Carter
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Overcome-a-Weakness&id=656256
Success in Life: How to Overcome Your Weaknesses
By Jason Osborn
http://ezinearticles.com/?Success-in-Life---How-to-Overcome-Your-Weaknesses&id=575209
The Fatal Flaw: The Most Essential Element for Bringing Characters to Life
By Dara Marks
http://www.writersstore.com/the-fatal-flaw-the-most-essential-element-for-bringing-characters-to-life
What Can You Do With A Noxious Boss? Bу:Jobs Collector
http://www.jobscollector.com/what-can-you-do-with-a-noxious-boss.html?goback=%2Egde_76367_member_110054160
8 Core Beliefs of Extraordinary Bosses
Sales Source newsletter
http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/8-core-beliefs-of-extraordinary-bosses.html 42
43. STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
In the book “First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest
Managers Do Differently”, Marcus Buckingham teaches that in
leading other we should play to their strengths and not focus on
their weaknesses. He makes a good case for that and I largely
agree with him.
An important distinction is that Buckingham is telling us how to
lead OTHERS. The focus is their strengths, not their weaknesses.
Find out where people are strong and put them in situations that
fit them in their strengths. Do not expect them to operate well in
situations where they are weak.
The focus of this discussion is
not how we lead others in THEIR strengths, and
not how we lead in OUR strengths,
but what do we do about OUR weaknesses.
We have strengths…..and weaknesses. 43
44. STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
ISN’T IT EASY for us to recognize
what we think are weaknesses in others?
IS IT EASY to recognize our own weaknesses?
Maybe not.
We might not even recognize our weaknesses, and thus not do
anything about fixing or making provisions to overcome them.
WHAT HAPPENS IF
We do not recognize our own weaknesses and address them
to make some changes in how we lead?
WHAT HAPPENS IS
We affect others adversely.
We affect our followers and those around us adversely
because we are leading out of our strengths as well as out of
our weaknesses.
44
45. STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
I am not going to advocate that we must be able to
identify and fix all our weaknesses. Maybe we can’t.
If we cannot identify and fix our weaknesses, we need
to find someone to assess the symptoms that result from
our weakness.
If we know where we are weak, we can delegate certain
responsibilities if we are not suited to doing them.
This is a big topic that cannot be fully discussed in a brief
presentation. Surely, there is “a book” to be written
about this.
My purpose here is to point to some high points using
two recent sessions conducted by Harrisburg Biz
Leaders on this topic. 45
46. 1 Awareness
2 Cause or Symptom
3 Check-Up
4 Criticism
CONCEPTS DISCOVERED 5 Evaluation
6 Get Help
BY 7 Identify
8 Knowing Self
9 Listen
PARTICIPANTS 10 No Condemnation
11 Passion
OF 12 Perception
13 Perseverance
HARRISBURG BIZ LEADERS 14 Recognize
15 Reversal
16 Strength = Weakness
17 Teams
18 Vision 46
47. CONCEPTS DISCOVERED
BY PARTICIPANTS OF HARRISBURG BIZ LEADERS
SEE FOLLOWING SLIDES FOR THESE 18 CRITERIA IN LARGER FONT.
1. Awareness We can be aware of a weakness and thus act appropriately in a given situation to avoid adverse affects in a
situation. Thus, we control ourselves in a way so that our weakness is not controlling us.
2. Cause or Symptom Get to the root of the problem (the weakness) and do not focus on symptoms. A cracked wall could be caused
by a cracked foundation. Therefore, patching the crack does not fix the problem.
3. Check-Up As we do physically to get a medical check-up, we should also have a check-up on our leadership skills. Consider
your business to be like a human body. What is the brain (knowledge base)? What is the heart (people,
passion)? What are the legs (foundation)? And so on. There is a study waiting to be done on this concept.
4. Criticism We must be able to take constructive criticism. Leave your ego at the door. Identify what the challenges are,
aim at continual improvement, determine where you want to be.
5. Evaluation In working with weaknesses, we should be in a positive and safe environment. Example: Toastmasters knows
how to excellently critique speakers showing what is being done well, and make suggestions for improvements.
It’s a win-win critique.
6. Get Help Get someone stronger than you are. Personal and professional.
7. Identify Look at results and ask why they are happening.
8. Knowing Self Part of recognizing our weaknesses comes with “knowing ourselves”, knowing what we can and cannot do well.
9. Listen Listen to others and connect with them.
10. No Condemnation Don’t beat yourself up for a weakness. Recognize that we all have weaknesses and we all need to make
improvements. Seek advice and help when weaknesses are difficult to overcome (accountability partner, books,
videos, other inspiration).
11. Passion If you are passionate about what you are doing, then we can be passionate about fixing our weaknesses. It’s
connected to the accomplishment of your vision.
12. Perception Is perception is reality? How others perceive you might not be what you intend to project. Ask for feedback that
helps you and others, and creates more trust.
13. Perseverance There will always be some obstacle on the way. That makes for a great journey, a great experience
14 Recognize We should maximize our strengths and identify areas for continual improvement. If we recognize and deal with
our
15. Reversal Turning the negative to the positive
16. Strength = Weakness Strengths and weaknesses are not mutually exclusive. A greatest strength could be our greatest weakness.
Example: We operate with energy and passion. There are times when active energy and passion is appropriate
and there are times when inactivity and quietness appropriate. Choose wisely.
17. Teams Identify and document weaknesses of a team or system.
18. Vision Review your vision and ask how weaknesses get in the way of the accomplishment of your mission and vision. 47
48. CONCEPTS DISCOVERED
BY PARTICIPANTS OF HARRISBURG BIZ LEADERS
1. Awareness We can be aware of a weakness and thus act appropriately in a
given situation to avoid adverse affects in a situation. Thus, we
control ourselves in a way so that our weakness is not controlling us.
2. Cause / Symptom Get to the root of the problem (the weakness) and do not focus
on symptoms. A cracked wall could be caused by a cracked
foundation. Therefore, patching the crack does not fix the problem.
3. Check-Up As we do physically to get a medical check-up, we should also
have a check-up on our leadership skills. Consider your
business to be like a human body. What is the brain (knowledge
base)? What is the heart (people, passion)? What are the legs
(foundation)? And so on. There is a study waiting to be done on
this concept.
4. Criticism We must be able to take constructive criticism. Leave your ego
at the door. Identify what the challenges are, aim at continual
improvement, determine where you want to be.
5. Evaluation In working with weaknesses, we should be in a positive and
safe environment. Example: Toastmasters knows how to
excellently critique speakers showing what is being done well, and
make suggestions for improvements. It’s a win-win critique.
6. Get Help 48
Get someone stronger than you are. Personal and professional.
49. CONCEPTS DISCOVERED
BY ATTENDEES HARRISBURG BIZ LEADERS
7. Identify Look at results and ask why they are happening.
8. Knowing Self Part of recognizing our weaknesses is “knowing
ourselves”, knowing what we can and cannot do well.
9. Listen Listen to others and connect with them.
10.No Condemnation Don’t beat yourself up for a weakness. Recognize that
we all have weaknesses and we all need to make
improvements. Seek advice and help when weaknesses
are difficult to overcome (accountability partner, books,
videos, other inspiration).
11.Passion If you are passionate about what you are doing, then
we can be passionate about fixing our weaknesses. It’s
connected to the accomplishment of your vision.
12.Perception Is perception is reality? How others perceive you might
not be what you intend to project. Ask for feedback that
helps you and others, and creates more trust.
49
50. CONCEPTS DISCOVERED
BY ATTENDEES HARRISBURG BIZ LEADERS
13. Perseverance There will always be some obstacle on the way.
That makes for a great journey, a great experience
14 Recognize We should maximize our strengths and identify
areas for continual improvement. If we recognize
and deal with our
15. Reversal Turning the negative to the positive
16. Strength = Weakness Strengths and weaknesses are not mutually
exclusive. A greatest strength could be our greatest
weakness. Example: We operate with energy and
passion. There are times when active energy and
passion is appropriate and there are times when
inactivity and quietness appropriate. Choose wisely.
17. Teams Identify and document weaknesses of a team or
system.
18. Vision Review your vision and ask how weaknesses get
in the way of the accomplishment of your mission
and vision.
50
51. RECOGNIZING WEAKNESSES
Reference Article Attached:
“How to Overcome a Weakness”, By C J Carter,
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Overcome-a-Weakness&id=656256
In the opening of the article, C J Carter states:
“All people like to view themselves in a positive light. No one likes to be considered a failure or a lesser
human being. But everyone has weaknesses. Most of the time people tend to ignore their weakness and
focus on showcasing their positive attributes. There is nothing wrong with showing your positive
attributes but you can't ignore your weaknesses. When people ignore the things that they are bad at, it
tends to come back on them later in life.
I agree. Do you?
Do we recognize our weaknesses, or can we be blind to certain weaknesses? Think about that and I’m sure
you have the answer. In whatever case, what do we do about weakness? Here are choices we might make:
IGNORE IT We do not even consider that how we are doing something involves a weakness.
We just plow on through leaving a wake of damage thinking everything is fine, or
not concerned about what has happened. And the cycle repeats.
WRONG PERCEPTION We think we are doing right and truly do not know that we are causing problems.
HELPLESS We know we are weak in an area, but have not figured out how to make a change
to make improvements.
ACTION We know we have weaknesses and take steps to improve ourselves.
Can we self-diagnose the weaknesses in ourselves? Maybe. But what is a better way to reveal a weakness
and discover the full impact of that weakness: an accountability partner - Someone who knows us, someone
we trust, someone who is familiar with what we are doing, someone who can critique us properly, and
someone we can accept proper criticism from.
51
52. THE FATAL FLAW
Reference Blog Article Attached:
“The Fatal Flaw - The Most Essential Element for Bringing Characters to Life”
By Dara Marks
http://www.writersstore.com/the-fatal-flaw-the-most-essential-element-for-bringing-characters-to-life
I remember “way back in high school literature” (and that is way back), we were
taught about the “fatal flaw” in a character in a story. As defined by Dara Marks in
the attached article,
“The FATAL FLAW is a struggle within a character
to maintain a survival system
long after it has outlived its usefulness.
What that makes me think is that we can operate with a weakness, not recognize
it, and not do anything about it, then eventually we are not going to survive in
what we are doing because the way we are doing it is deficient and that way will
outlive its usefulness. Thus, the weakness becomes fatal to what we are doing.
If that is possible, then we must address our weaknesses, our weaknesses, not
others weaknesses.
52
53. March 12-14, 2013
Baltimore Convention Center
HARRISBURG BIZ LEADERS
A Venture of BARBUSH ENTERPRISES
James Eugene Barbush
Professional Engineer, Speaker, & Writer
in Leadership Development
Session No R3.21 March 14, 2013 10:00 am to 10:50 53
am