As much as we all like to think we’re amazing at everything, we’re invariably not. Even those people you look at and think ‘they’re good at everything!’ aren’t. They’re just very good at masking those areas they’re less strong at.

Getting a grip on your strengths and weaknesses is a good discipline for any professional, regardless of industry. And when it comes to people in leadership positions, it’s even more important to know. There are many different types of leader, but two distinctive types pull this point into focus and illustrate it simply.

The first is the leader who seems to float and operate seamlessly. The master delegator who – no matter how busy they are – gets things done and makes progress. They’re smart, humble and bring the best of themselves to their position. They’re often very self-assured and comfortable with themselves and others. Their secret sauce? Who knows, but I’d bet one of the ingredients is through balancing neatly on the tightrope of their strengths and weaknesses.

At the other end of the spectrum are those who like to plan, write and sing the theme tune on everything they do. Sometimes there’s bluster, sometimes there’s calm. But they try and do everything – not just inhibiting and stifling those around them but likely exhausting themselves in the process. Trying to do everything at 100% is commendable but ultimately a fool’s errand.

Perhaps the reality is not as binary as this – there are many contributory factors for sure – but can you see yourself as one of those? Or does someone spring to mind who is? If you’re not already, then you’ll likely want to be the former as opposed to the latter. I know I did. And still do.

Getting to your balance sheet of strengths and weaknesses needn’t be an onerous, time-consuming task. You can do it pretty quickly and without fuss. All it needs is an open mind and an acceptance of what it tells you. I wished I’d told myself this a few years back. Even more got on and done it.

Here’s a way you can do it.

1.    Create the first cut

Sit down with a piece of paper. Split it into two columns – each titled ‘I’m good at …’ and ‘I’m less good at…’. Write down what comes into your head. Don’t filter or check it. Just let your pen flow. Some might find strengths easier to write than weaknesses. Try to be objective. Walk away from it and do something else. Then come back to it and go again. Are you shocked or surprised? Does it affirm what you already knew? Anything to add, cross out or question?

2.    Consult the ‘independent’ adjudicators

Tin hats on for this one! Take your list to people who know you well. You might want to start with a partner or close friend. Get them to add, delete, edit and ask them to explain why. Then if you’re especially brave ask your team or people you work closely with. Talk to people about it and understand their views. Then get to a final list that you’re happy with. You might need a thick skin for this as not everyone is comfortable admitting to what they’re less good at… so make sure you’re on board with it all!

3.    Practise smashing it

This is the least English thing to do, I know. But now that you’ve admitted it, practice being good at what you’re good at. Be conscious of when you’re doing these things. How does it make you feel? Why are you good at those things? Can you help train others to be as good as you on this and support those around you to be great? What is the impact of you openly letting your strengths run free?

4.    Hand over the controls to others

Now the hard bit: being comfortable with not being so good at something. How can or do you compromise on those things in the ‘I’m less good at…’ column? Who is good at those things and can you ask them for help in letting you in on their secrets? Or can you empower them to take those things on? How can you celebrate their ability at that skill and the impact this has?

5.    Practice makes… progress

Practice all this and give it a month or so. It might be hard to begin with. Keep a journal (or at least a note somewhere!) of when you practice both, noting the impact on you and others. How do you feel? What is the impact on your time and stress levels? It won’t be perfect but you’ll be clearer and better off for it.

A sidenote from recent experience…

I went through these steps in the last month myself. I hated it to begin with, but I got on board with it.

To start with, I had an over-inflated view of my own strengths. It was quite revealing when I asked for others’ views as well. Some things I thought I smashed but others had the opposite view. I wanted to hide when I first heard this but actually I understand now. I also really enjoyed acknowledging I was good at something and doing it well. Conversely, I also felt quite liberated by celebrating someone else’s ability to do something better. Even more so when I readily handed over the baton on that task and didn’t think twice on it.

The biggest barrier on all this? Being open and honest with myself and being prepared to hear what I didn’t want to hear. I’ve never been great at that. But I feel better for having done it. My only wish is I’d done it a few years ago!