I have yet to meet someone who likes their weaknesses. Few people say, “I love being impatient and unskilled at multi-tasking” or “I am proud that I am unorganized, a poor speller and a huge procrastinator.” Who says that?

The truth is we all have weaknesses and, deep down, I think we all wish we could rid ourselves of them. If the Bible mirrored the world’s ways it would say something like: “Blessed is strength. Blessed are the strong.” Fortunately the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 reverse this and encourage us to embrace our weaknesses in order to grasp a bigger reality of God’s strength in us.

If the Bible encourages us to embrace our own weaknesses and faults we must also realize that such advice extends to our handling of others weaknesses and faults as well. As discussed in our last Flourish newsletter entry, as leaders we must realize that all of our workers will have weaknesses and limitations. Just like us, they will have blind spots and faults. In order for us to grow as leaders, we must learn ways to encourage, assist and cover the weaknesses in others in order to honor those that work for us.

Here are 5 ways to support your co-workers in their weaknesses

1) Recognize their strengths. Start by thanking God for the things they are good at. Recognize the areas where they excel and give God thanks for making them that way. This will help you see them from different perspectives. Secondly, share with them what you see as their strengths. By sharing with them the areas where they are strong, you will show them that you care about them and see not only their faults but the gifts and assets they bring to your team as well.

2) Be vulnerable yourself. Now, this one is tough for many leaders. No leader wants to admit they don’t have it all together. However, by showing our vulnerability and leading by example, we are creating a safe space for others to grow and be vulnerable themselves. It doesn’t mean we just sit around and become lazy proclaiming anything that is hard as our weakness and pushing it on someone else. It means realizing we aren’t super human and recognizing we have areas where others can support us. It opens the door for a supportive, honest and growing environment. It also allows for collaboration and team building.

3) Consider adjusting their job to leverage their strength. The best thing we can do with our staff is to fit the job to the people and not the people to the job. According to bestselling author Marcus Buckingham, in his book “Now Discover Your Strengths”, one of the biggest flaws an organization makes is to expect a person to grow the most in the area of their greatest weakness.[1] Instead of grinding into their weaknesses expecting them to drastically change, discover ways to leverage their strength and find assistance for their weaknesses.

4) Establish accountability and follow up. Don’t wait for the final year-end review to give feedback. Sometimes consistent follow-up, with accountability and structure, will help to cover over someone’s weaknesses and help them slowly take bite size steps to improvement. Constructive and continual feedback for improvement benefits everyone.

5) Open Communication Ongoing communication is key. It’s very easy to have open communication about positive issues and neglect the negative/challenging topics until they become disruptive. The best way to handle and deal with weaknesses is to talk about them in a supportive and encouraging manner. A culture of open, supportive communication is important. We all appreciate not being caught off guard!

Leadership legacy

How do you want to be remembered as a leader? Your employees will always remember how you handled their weaknesses (with tenderness or impatience, grace or criticalness). An employee that feels valued and supported, especially in their weaknesses, will have opportunity to grow and flourish under your leadership. As a leader, you have the privilege of speaking into the life of your employees. You have the opportunity to impact their esteem, confidence and poise for the future tasks God has before them. What an honor and privilege we have!

I am thankful for such a great team of coworkers. You are leaders and trailblazers in ministry. May we continually look to God in our weaknesses and in the handling of the weaknesses of others. The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12:9-11, reminds us that as we pursue after the Lord in our vulnerabilities and faults we will find Him saying:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Growth Point:

A good leader will take the time necessary to intentionally find practical ways of honoring their employees in their weaknesses.

Scripture Point:

Read Romans 13:1-7. Ask the Lord to reveal His application of this for your leadership.

Action Point:

Find a way this week to encourage one of your employees in their weakness. Honor them by supporting them through one of the 5 practical ways presented above.

 

[1] https://michaelhyatt.com/why-you-should-understand-your-weaknesses.html

http://www.businessinsider.com/dealing-with-employee-weaknesses-2013-1