Lead Upwards

CHAPTER EIGHTKnow Thyself: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Areas to Improve

As you set up for success, you need to take stock of your weaknesses, especially those resulting from never having done this job before. It's okay, everyone has them. The key is to strategically knock them out.

You have strengths and unique talents that you'll bring to your role as a startup leader. You also, like all humans, have areas that are not strengths, aka weaknesses. Some of these weaknesses can be improved upon, and you'll benefit from investing in growth, while others, you will need to strategically work (and hire) around. We'll cover how to determine the difference between the things to improve and the things you'll accept and work around. The good news is that you don't have to be perfect and have every aspect of the startup world or even your function down before going for an executive role.

Often, people from under‐represented backgrounds can hold themselves back from reaching for their goals because of the belief that you have to have all the strengths humanly possible and no weaknesses. This perfectionist belief can hold you back from recognizing your own unique gifts and capabilities as a startup leader.

Let's talk about how to recognize your strengths, areas that are not currently strengths, and learn to improve in key areas that count while working around areas you don't want to improve.

YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOURSELF AS A STARTUP LEADER

Your relationship with yourself is ...