Leadership in Action: In Focus - Feedback and Development - The Negatives of Focusing Only on the Positive

IN THE BALANCE

Making sure that managers are working on the best developmental strategy is both an art and a science. As CCL's data suggest, an awareness of both the positive and the negative is required. Overemphasis on either strengths or weaknesses, or a failure to balance them, can be detrimental. In certain cases weaknesses can be the result of overdependence on strengths. It's more than likely that talent and positive feedback, coupled with reward and desire, are what drove the development of the strengths in the first place.

It's fine to play to one's strengths until something in the leadership structure, the organization, or the environment changes. Then new skills may be required. The bottom line is that people can learn, grow, and change. ...