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

I spent an interesting afternoon at a receiving end of a lecture by a senior member of the Philippine Stock Exchange. This man, who obviously has lived through much of our country’s economic and political history, was passionately trying to make me understand the reasons why we needed to go for change. He urgently voiced his frustrations, frequently adding the lament, “why do you young people not understand, this is no longer about us, but about your generation and the country you and my children want to live in!”

I sat there, hearing everything, absorbing everything and wondering silently. Why indeed? Why do my generation, and my younger peers not seem to understand? Or do we simply not care? Until the answer hit me. Why?

FEAR.

Think about it. Don’t we all have that little urgent voice inside of us that very barely whispers in our ear, “Don’t do anything, its only you. You wont be able to make a difference. Don’t even try.” We see others do it. We admire them for their courage. We applaud them for their principle, but we don’t do anything. Because we are afraid that we are not them.

But I believe we are. Someone told me once that a leader is but a manifestation of each little part of every member of the group. The leader symbolizes all the aspirations, principles and values of the group. Each member is present in him, filling him with a small part of themselves. And together that is what makes a leader strong. Not alone, but together. The strength of the leader is determined by the size and conviction of his people, who they are and what they stand for.

If we the people do not believe that change is necessary. If we the people do not fight for the opportunity for change to happen. If we the people are too afraid to hope, to believe, that change can happen. Change never will.

We will be forever subjected to inane jingles. To empty slogans. To damning insults to our intelligence. Why?

Because we allow it. We are afraid.

A rabid supporter of the yellow once pulled me aside and told me, “I have begun to tell people that I have shifted to the dark side, I have decided to believe in Money of the orange.” I was taken aback and I asked him, what did they say. He replied, “they expressed surprise and outrage and asked him angrily , WHY?” He then told me what he answered them, “Its because of people like you, you keep saying you want it, but your not willing to do anything. So be happy, you will soon have the leader that you are used to.”

Why are we afraid?

Unless we discover the courage of our convictions, we will always be afraid. We will always listen to that little voice that reminds us not to get involved.

But when will we get involved? Is now not the right time to finally say, Its enough, its too much.

I believe that who we support is a reflection of what we believe in, what principles and values we hold dear and what would we be willing to compromise and ignore. It is about what our hopes and dreams are, and what would we be willing to do to make them come true. I believe that it is not just about our leaders, but it is very much about ourselves...

We have to remind ourselves that in order to climb up, it is not enough to look at the steps. We actually have to take the steps.

Lets climb together for a change.

Out of many , we should be one. It is about time we be yellow. It is about time we stand up for what we believe in.

If not, we will soon be inundated by images and songs about living in garbage, because in truth, it will soon be like living in garbage. Be afraid, I know I now am.

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

I like reading. I like going over a really good book. But I go gaga over a profound one.

Many people define profound as “having deep insight or understanding”. But for me, profound simply means a way of thought that is simplistic in the surface, but hides infinite wisdom underneath. But hey that’s just me. Maybe that’s why I like Dilbert or even The Simpsons, they are at the surface, just simple and sometimes crass depictions of everyday life, but subtly hide nuggets of wisdom on what to do or not to do in real life.

What am I trying to say? Well this is my poor attempt at trying to be profound.

I recently came across an interesting author and teacher, Bob Sutton. He is a Professor of Management Science and Engineering at Stanford University, where he also co-founded the Center for Work, Technology and Organization. At first, he comes across as a really serious guy, but he really tries to take being profound very seriously. He wrote a book whose title I cannot even reprint here, but I will try, its called “The No As***le Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t.” Now if that’s not a profound title , I don’t know what is.

But seriously, I like how he is able to make us or at least me, think. I would love to be able to attend his class one day, if I could afford it. Why? Because he is fun and doesn’t take himself too seriously, and yet, is able to simulate the students into becoming great managers.

I want to share this list that he gives his students at the last day of class, his nuggets of wisdom for managers. Professor Sutton believes:

“ 1. Sometimes the best management is no management at all – first do no harm! 


2. Indifference is as important as passion.


3. In organizational life, you can have influence over others or you can have freedom from others, but you can't have both at the same time.




4. Learning how to say smart things and give smart answers is important. Learning to listen to others and to ask smart questions is more important. 


5. You get what you expect from people. This is especially true when it comes to selfish behavior; self-interest is a learned social norm, not an inherent feature of human behavior.


6. Getting a little power can turn you into an insensitive self-centered jerk. 


7. Avoid pompous jerks whenever possible. They not only can make you feel bad about yourself, chances are that you will eventually start acting like them. 


8. The best test of a person's character is how he or she treats those with less power. 


9. Err on the side of optimism and positive energy in all things.


10. Work is an over-rated activity.”

Two of his students added two more:

“ 11. Have strong opinions, weakly held. 


12. Argue as if you are right, listen as if you are wrong .”

I would love to add one more, “If he says he just wants to help the poor and yet is spending so much trying to get elected, he must really just be after helping his poor self”. Sorry, off topic, but I couldn’t help it… its another of my poor attempts of trying to be profound, maybe that’s why I need to go back to school, Bob Sutton here I come…

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