It’s not the work; it’s the people that drive you crazy.
Love and hate at work:
You love working with the people on your team. BUT there are a few things that drive you nuts.
People with extraordinary strengths have exceptional weaknesses. Don’t limit your success by eliminating remarkable people.
- A detail-person is too literal.
- A person who is good with people talks too much.
- A good listener can’t make up her mind.
Don’t let the negative 20% pollute the positive 80%.
Navigating weakness in others:
#1. Release silly fantasies about ideal team members.
Stop expecting to love everything about the people on your team. You don’t even love yourself that much.
#2. Expect remarkable people to rub you the wrong way.
#3. Love the 80%. Accept the 20%.
The lousy comes with the good in the real world.
#4. Honor and respect the irritating others on your team. Don’t work to fix people. Learn to adapt.
Rigid people find relationships difficult.
#5. Teach your team to adapt to each other.
#6. Don’t minimize or defend the weaknesses of others. When you hear legitimate complaints, say, “You’re right. Everyone has weaknesses, even you and me.”
- What strengths does maddening Mary have?
- What contribution does grating Gary bring to the team?
- Where would our team be without irksome Ira?
- How might you adapt to the idiosyncrasies of irritating Herman?
Fixing:
- Clarify expectations and commitments.
- Confront behaviors that hinder teams. Bob habitually arrives late. It’s the little things that drive you crazy.
- Choose coaching as a tool of development.
- Reject the belligerent.
Tip: Know and respect the top three strengths of everyone on your team.
If you find a perfect team, don’t join it. You’ll spoil it.
How might leaders navigate the strengths and weaknesses of people on their team?
Bonus:
How to Deal with Employees’ Greatest Weaknesses (Business Insider)
