One of the things we are always taught is to work on our weaknesses. We are always conditioned or drilled to keep working on improving on our weaknesses. But isn’t this the reason for causing many of us to become average?

Think about it. We were all born with unique strengths, special talents, and amazing gifts. All of us were created by God that way. We each have something different to bring to the table.

But as we grow older, we are taught to conform. We are trained to be well- rounded. We are shaped and molded to be just like everybody else. In fact, as we grow older, we are expected to be just like everybody else.

Why is that? Why do we all have to be like each other?

When we look at the amazing individuals that we admire, we don’t praise them for being well rounded. We actually point out a unique talent or something specifically great in what they do. Whether they are great writers, speakers, athletes, singers, dancers, etc. They have taken that special gift and focused on it, honing, and learning to wield it to perfection. It is that outstanding ability, talent, or skill that causes them to stand out.

I remember a story that has always stuck with me. It begins with a question, “As an entrepreneur, would you hire someone that thinks, acts and performs like you do?”

What would be your answer? Many would say, “Of Course I would, that way, he or she would know exactly what I want him or her to do.” That makes sense but it doesn’t always work out as planned.

There may be no exact stereotype of a prototypical entrepreneur. But we are often besieged by images and stories of one particular kind, the visionary. The visionary is often at the forefront. He possesses the unique perspective into where the business should be going. He is able to share and inspire others to follow the vision. But if he started hiring his team, and they end up all being visionaries; I just wonder if they could get anything done. Or would they be forever perpetually locked in a caffeine-induced debate on which direction to take or whose vision to follow.

The second particular kind we are familiar with is the number cruncher. He has the unique ability to pull out statistics and figure formulas for every situation. He is able to mathematically find solutions to every problem. But again, if he started to put together his team, and they would all be like him. I wonder if they would be forever spinning their wheels trying to find the right formula, amidst the lack of vision.

The third particular kind is the manager. This is the type who is most well rounded. This type is the most efficient and hardest working of the three. But a company of managers will only result in a busy room with no direction.

That is why, I believe in building a team, recognize your own strengths, and find people with their own strengths, especially those that compensate for your weaknesses. Finding and building the right team, learning to inspire and motivate, cajole and push, will ultimately define success or failure.

So, lets all find our strengths. Build upon it. Work on it with a passion. Don’t be average. Be unique. Be talented. And then , find like minded people. We don’t have to be good at everything but we owe it to ourselves to be great at something.

Let’s follow the examples of these ordinary individuals as they strive to make a difference. Each week, lets all get together and share knowledge, stories, experiences, information, all for the sole purpose of getting One Step Up.

For comments, suggestions or stories that you want to share, email me at stirspecialist@gmail.com , or visit www.stirspecialist.blogspot.com