Flaws Worth Fixing
Don’t let these non-negotiables escape your attention.
Levelheadedness. Blowing your top in a crisis never leads to a productive outcome. Learning to center yourself will create a better work environment for yourself and others.
Punctuality. Being mindful of other people’s time is a fundamental sign of respect. You know what they say: Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable.
Carelessness. Everyone makes mistakes, but paying attention to details that are within your control shows dedication and reliability. If you want to be taken seriously, do the same with your work.
Positivity. No one wants to work with a Negative Nancy. Bring a can-do attitude—your ideas will be better received, and your determined mindset will boost your level of accomplishment.
Collaboration. “Sorry, I only work alone,” doesn’t generally fly in the workplace. Actively strive to be a good listener, and ask a trusted source how you can improve your interpersonal skills.
Flip Your Flaws to Work for You
From unpaid interns to C-suite executives, every last one of us has flaws. Being aware of them can help us find ways to compensate, but introspection can be counterproductive when it leaves us feeling powerless rather than prepared. A common prayer expresses a desire for “serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference” — so what if that recurring weakness falls into category number one?
We’re told to improve the so-called lesser parts of ourselves, but in some cases, we can choose to own them instead. Rather than berating yourself for things beyond your control, learn to make trouble spots work in your favor.
Watch your language. Some words have inherently negative connotations. Find a way to think and speak about yourself that doesn’t trigger an unwanted response. You’re not "arrogant", you’re "confident". "Obsessive"? Try "detail-oriented"! Once you start believing that your quirks can serve a purpose, you’ll have an easier time expressing to others how and why this is true.
Gather the evidence. The more specific you can be when addressing your flaws, the stronger your case in their favor. For example, if your frequently strong opinions are under siege, think of a time when the fact that you weren’t afraid to speak your mind helped avert a crisis or bring an outside-the-box idea to fruition. Attaching a perceived weakness to a concrete positive outcome will make it easier to show both sides of the equation.
Give yourself the edge. Shift your perspective. What’s on the other side of the coin? Imagine that you’re applying for a job beyond your level of experience. Since building a resume takes time, what does your lack of experience allow you to bring to the table that a more seasoned employee might not be able to offer? Perhaps it’s your high energy or fresh perspective. Tap into what it is that you - not the ideal version of you - have to offer.
See the big picture. So you occasionally stutter in front of a crowd. Unless you’re pursuing a career as a motivational speaker (and as long as you can get through the occasional PowerPoint presentation), there are more worthwhile places you can focus your energy. Knowing when you can and even should let a weak point fall by the wayside will help you differentiate between constructive self-examination and unproductive self-doubt.
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