She Strengthens

The Uncomfortable Truth About Professional Weaknesses

We’ve all been led to believe that with the right mix of self-help books and confidence, we can overcome our professional weaknesses. The narrative of success is often one of triumph, where we conquer every challenge and become the ultimate authority in our field. But the reality is far from it. The path to becoming a fulfilled and confident professional is rarely linear, and even the most successful CEOs have their own set of flaws.

Knowing Your Weaknesses is the First Step

For me, my biggest weaknesses are my impatience and tendency to be acerbic. I’d rather do things myself than take the time to guide someone through the process, and my desire to cut to the chase can make me come across as blunt and uncaring. But I know I’m a caring person, and it’s my job to convey that and take responsibility for my flaws. My strategies to overcome these weaknesses include listening more, being more calm and measured in my responses, and forcing myself not to react impulsively when I’m feeling short or frustrated.

Real People, Real Weaknesses

I asked readers to share their own professional weaknesses, and here are some of the most interesting responses:

The Morning Struggle

Jamie struggles with being a morning person, which affects her social skills during the first three hours of work. Her solution involves going to bed early, keeping her alarm clock in another room, and making a pot of espresso the night before to give her a much-needed boost.

Lack of Faith

Kit struggles with a lack of faith in her own abilities, which makes her assume the worst when she receives work emails. Her solution involves recognizing that people do email her with positive feedback and focusing on her strengths.

The Struggle is Real

Lola struggles with advocating for herself, which makes it hard for her to ask for raises or promotions. Her solution involves keeping a list of her achievements and compiling them for her yearly review.

The Fear of Speaking Up

Lauren struggled with self-doubt, which made her afraid to speak up in class and at work. Her solution involved facing her fears by working sales jobs and finding mentors who encouraged her.

The Detail-Oriented Struggle

Katie struggles with keeping track of small details and numbers, which makes her feel like she’s not good enough. Her solution involves setting multiple reminders for herself every day to stay on top of things.

Taking Criticism to Heart

Alex struggles with taking criticism personally, which makes her break down in tears. Her solution involves listening to feedback, taking a walk or listening to calming music before reacting, and recognizing that criticism is not a personal attack.

Imposter Syndrome

Chloe struggles with feeling like she’s tricked people into thinking she knows what she’s doing. Her solution involves reminding herself of her strengths and positive feedback, and recognizing that many people deal with imposter syndrome.

The Lone Wolf

Beverley struggles with working in teams, which makes her feel unproductive. Her solution involves branching out on her own and becoming a freelance writer, social media consultant, and digital PR.