In a recent coach certification class discussion, we were talking about the benefits of helping our clients explore their hardwiring.

We looked at the three levels of hardwiring included in Quadrant 3 Leadership:

• Abilities (like those surfaced in the Highlands Ability Battery)
• Behavorial (like those explained in systems like DISC)
• and Motivational (like those described in the Enneagram)

(For a short video with an explanation of the three, go to: https://youtu.be/ICVAfJRh58w.)

Doing it all

In the conversation, we discussed how freeing it is to realize that not all people see the world as we do. Or have the same strengths and abilities. That, in fact, where we are weak, others may be strong. Tasks we dread may give others life.

So I was thrilled with Kim Nicol‘s podcast episode “You don’t have to be great at everything.”

She shares how as we move up on our career, we tend to focus on what we’re not good at. But our focusing on our deficits causes us to miss our strengths. And to down play what we’re really good at. She also has helpful insights into how family pressure while we’re growing up feeds into this.

You don’t need to be great at everything

As leaders, we’re responsible for the outcomes of our team or organization. But too often, we confuse the “responsibility for the outcomes” with “having to do it all ourselves.”

Sure, as a leader, you will have to do things you don’t like or aren’t great at. But you really don’t have to be excellent at everything! As you grow in leadership responsibility, you get freedom to let more people excel at what they’re great at. As they excel, the entire team flourishes.

So if you’re feeling stressed about not being great at everything your team is responsible for: wonderful! The good news is: you don’t need to be!

Take some time to look at the responsibilities, your strengths, and the strengths of your team. You might be able to free up some of your tasks while making your team mates feel amazingly validated!