Leaders, Here’s How to Know if You Are Overdoing It

As a leader, your character strengths are your greatest asset, and can become your greatest liability when overused. What strengths do you draw on to negotiate the daily challenges of your role? Everybody is gifted in their own way, endowed with certain character strengths.

• Thinkers are logical, responsible and organized. They are amazing with data and tasks.
• Persisters are dedicated, conscientious and observant. They are amazing with mission and vision.
• Harmonizers are compassionate, sensitive, and warm. They are amazing with relationships.
• Rebels are spontaneous, creative and playful.. They are amazing with innovation and change.
• Promoters are adaptable, charming and persuasive. They are amazing with challenges.
• Imaginers are imaginative, reflective and calm. They are amazing with concepts and connections.

The beauty of personality diversity is that we all have all six of these energies in us, arranged in a preferred set order. For most leaders one or two of these is primary and guides their style and approach. Which are yours?

Relying too much on our most developed strengths, however, can reduce resiliency and lead to burnout. Here’s how to know if you are overdoing it with your signature strengths.

Thinkers over-work. They fall into the trap of obsessive activity, or doing everyone’s work for them so that it all gets done right and on time. Failure to delegate and inability to let go is their undoing.

Persisters over-convict. They fall into the trap of pushing their beliefs, falsely concluding that those who don’t agree with them must be abandoned or destroyed. Failure to trust and believe in people is their undoing.

Harmonizers over-care. They fall into the trap of smothering people with unsolicited support, putting everyone else first while abandoning their own boundaries and needs. Failure to take care of themselves is their undoing.

Rebels over-play. They fall into the trap of making everything a joke or a game, shirking responsibility and making excuses. Failure to take responsibility for their feelings and behaviors is their undoing.

Promoters over-game. They fall into the trap of competing too hard by breaking rules and creating negative drama to get their adrenaline rush. Failure to maintain important relationships and boundaries is their undoing.

Imaginers over-reflect. They fall into the trap of possibilities, following endless rabbit trails without turning possibility into reality. Failure to take initiative and finish is their undoing.

Each Process Communication Model® (PCM) personality type has signature strengths that become liabilities in distress. Find out yours and what you can do to stay healthy and resilient by completing the PCM Leadership Profile and attending a live debriefing session.

Copyright Next Element Consulting, LLC 2021