"Opportunity: chance or prospect for advancement or success."
Versus
"Weakness: lack of strength, firmness, vigor or the like; inadequate or defective quality"
Words are powerful. There is a reason we call it “spelling” as the choice of the words we use help to shape our thinking, perceiving and understanding. What we say and how we say it can open us up to more powerful growth and effectiveness or they can help to shut down potential and possibilities.
At EQIQ Leadership / Staub Leadership International we use the phrase “growth opportunity” instead of the work “weakness.” Words and our use of them truly matter. Take for example the word “failure” – it is often used as a noun as in “I am a failure.” We suggest using it as a verb ONLY as in “I failed in this task.” You can change the action of a verb but a noun becomes a “thing” an identity if you will that labels and limits. So try on this, “I failed in this task and I can learn from that and improve.” We invite you to be very mindful of the words you use and going forward, instead of calling something a “weakness” start calling it “a growth opportunity” or even “a blind spot I need to be aware of so I can take it into account in my planning and actions.”
Powerful Examples of CEOs / Founders Who Understood This:
Seizing Your Most Significant Growth Opportunities: Reframing and reprogramming limiting thinking