Turn your weakness into an effective leadership strategy
Welcome to 1-2-3 Social Psychology for Leaders, a bi-weekly newsletter that helps ambitious people lead their lives and careers intentionally with confidence and energy. Has someone forwarded you this? Subscribe here so you don’t miss the next one.
Today we are going to talk about:
- How to Embrace Your Multi-Passionate Nature as a Leader
- The Difference between Being Focused and Focusing only on one thing
- Create support through Communicating Clearly and Effectively
- How to Sustain Motivation and Drive
Dear curious mind,
I have always had difficulties focusing on only one thing. I am a generalist, a multi-passionate person, and an infinite learner. When people told me I needed to focus on one thing, I dismissed their words because I didn’t want to be placed in a box or carry a label. I also didn’t want to be bored. Generally, I was and still am good at everything, but I don’t necessarily excel at it – unless I create a focused strategy connected to my bigger goals.
I have always had difficulties focusing on only one thing. I am a generalist, a multi-passionate person, and an infinite learner. When people told me I needed to focus on one thing, I dismissed their words because I didn’t want to be placed in a box or carry a label. I also didn’t want to be bored. Generally, I was and still am good at everything, but I don’t necessarily excel at it – unless I create a focused strategy connected to my bigger goals.
It took me years to understand what I excel at because I have been a generalist, or, as I prefer to call myself, a multi-passionate person. Nothing is wrong with that, but finding one’s place is more difficult in a world that fosters specialization and niching down. The exciting news is that multi-passionate people in leadership positions excel because of their ability to take expansive approaches to problem-solving.
And if you are anything like me, you love the drill of a great puzzle.
How to step into leadership positions?
The real challenge for multi-passionate leaders is not how to be leaders but how to get there. It is difficult for others to understand your strengths and how to label you. If you are being honest, you might be grappling with the same obstacle.
I have some good news: You don’t need to be a specialist to make the world understand what you do. Instead, you need to be able to focus on your vision and map out a strategy with clear stepping stones for getting there.
Practical Self-Development Tools
Exercise 1: Define and Map Your Vision Strategy
Identify Your Vision:
- Write down a clear and concise vision statement for your leadership role or career. For example, “To create a sustainable economy that supports environmentally and socially friendly businesses.”
- Reflect on why this vision is important to you. What core values, beliefs, and passions drive this vision?
List Necessary Skills:
- Identify the critical skills needed to achieve your vision. Consider both technical skills (e.g., understanding emerging technologies and business development) and soft skills (e.g., community-building, networking, emotional intelligence).
- Rank these skills in order of importance and mark which skills you already possess and which ones you need to develop.
Create a Strategic Roadmap:
- Break down your vision into 3-5 actionable steps or milestones that will help you achieve it. Be specific about what each step entails.
- For each step, identify the resources, people, or information you need. Write down at least one person you should connect with or one resource to explore for each milestone.
- Set a timeline for when you aim to accomplish each step.
Review and Adjust:
- Revisit your vision statement and strategy every month to assess your progress. Adjust your plan as needed to stay aligned with your goals.
Exercise 2: Practice Clear Communication of Your Vision
Craft Your Leadership Pitch:
- Write a 2-3 sentence pitch that clearly communicates your vision, your current work, and how you need support. Make sure it is concise and easy to understand.
- Example: “I am passionate about creating a sustainable economy that benefits everyone. Currently, I’m working on developing a network of environmentally friendly businesses. I’m looking for partnerships with like-minded organizations and mentors in the field of economic development.”
Role-Playing Practice:
- Pair up with a friend or colleague (or practice in front of a mirror). Practice delivering your pitch with confidence and clarity.
- Ask for feedback: What did they understand from your pitch? What could be more precise or more compelling?
Implement in Real Situations:
- Choose 2-3 upcoming opportunities (such as meetings, networking events, or social gatherings) where you can use your leadership pitch.
- After each situation, reflect on how well you communicated your vision. Did others understand your goals? Were you able to ask for support effectively?
Refine and Improve:
- Based on feedback and experiences, refine your pitch to make it stronger. Keep practicing and adjusting until it feels authentic and effective.
By completing these exercises, you’ll develop a clearer strategy for achieving your vision and improve your ability to communicate it effectively to others.
“Along with strategies, creativity is no longer optional in organizations today. In fact, people are saying that creative thinking is the only business strategy that we need now.” –
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This is one of the best TED talks on leadership in my opinion: Great Leadership Is A Network, Not A Hierarchy | Gitte Frederiksen | TED
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Book Recommendation
Centered Leadership
Joanna Barsh and Johanne Lavoie uncovered what distinguishes leaders who are successful from those who achieve true greatness, developing an approach called Centered Leadership.
I hope you find this newsletter helpful. Please let me know what topics you would like to learn more about by simply responding to this email.
Thanks for your support!
PS: Join me live September 12th at 12 PM EST for an online hands-on workshop on Confident Leadership.
