Although it is important to recognize your weaknesses, what you are not good at; it is much more effective to focus on your strengths, on what you do most naturally and excellently. Companies and organizations will achieve exceptional results when each individual's strengths are recognized and roles assigned based on their talents and not just their knowledge and skills. Connect with your willingness to identify your strengths and/or the strengths of your team members and make adjustments as needed. Evaluate what results you experienced. Determine whether you want to do informal self-assessments or invest in professional assessment assistance. Take immediate action to identify strengths and make reassignments as needed. Expect to get positive results and you will. Have you ever been in a position where you feel less competent and in a different position you shine? A likely explanation is that the first position requires you to perform what you have little or no talent for and the second position draws on your strengths. While it is important to recognize your weaknesses, what you are not good at; it is much more effective to focus on your strengths, on what you do most naturally and excellently. Companies and organizations will achieve exceptional results when each individual's strengths are recognized and assigned roles are based on his or her talents and not just his or her knowledge and skills. Focus on strengths: everyone wins. Individuals have more power and goals are achieved more easily. Both individuals and teams perform at a superior level. Productivity increases more easily. Creative ideas emerge more often than not; investment in individual development has a greater return. It's more fun for everyone. Focus on weaknesses: Individuals feel demoralized and goals may be achieved with great difficulty. They feel very stressed. Individuals and teams do not function optimally. Much time and resources are spent on changes that may not be long-lasting. There is no room for creative ideas to readily emerge. Investments in training to overcome or resolve weaknesses, once assessed, could be a waste of money. It's not a fun environment to be in. Teams can also have unofficial and informal roles. Some are useful and some are not so useful. The following list summarizes some common, informal roles in teams. Useful Roles The Expert: A subject matter expert who can clarify technical questions. The Summarizer: Often, a “big picture” person who helps summarize items. The Bridge Builder: Expert negotiators who can help bring together opposing points of view.