Being successful in business is thrilling, but it certainly demands a lot of the entrepreneur at the same time. You know the feeling of making something a success, and understanding how it was your skills and qualities that made it possible. And those qualities are the factors that will make you successful again and again in your field, but when you are looking for weaknesses to address, you might want to consider that those same skills hold within them the kernels of your biggest problems. Achieving balance is essential to success, so bear this in mind when honing your approach.
Diligence/Micromanagement
An eye for detail can stand your business out on its own against the competition, as long as you are conscious that it is possible to be too detail-oriented. Having control of a process is essential, but be aware of when it is becoming too much of a focus, as this can strip time away from equally important tasks. When looking to launch a new product, bringing your ideas to life is something you’ll want to manage closely, but do be aware that design teams and packaging manufacturers might know what they’re doing too. Be ready to let them take on some of the decisions; it’s essential to let go of the wheel if you want to avoid burnout.
Passion/Tunnel Vision
Your passion for the project will carry a business a long way, and it’s that passion that gets you into the office when there are distractions trying to keep you away. But while passion drives focus, it can also become toxic by causing tunnel vision. You can make decisions in haste because you’re trying to get from A to Z too quickly, and you can also stick with poor decisions even when you’re being warned to avoid them. Allow your passion to infuse the process and you’ll see positive results, but be ready to take on advice. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes will result in a better decision.
Empathy/Indecision
Not all double-edged swords come about because you are being too driven. Sometimes, a tendency to overempathize and delegate too freely can have negative results too. Balance in all things is important, and that includes your willingness to collaborate and give people their space. You should be prepared to center other people and accommodate their concerns, but not to the point where you allow them to make a decision you’re firmly against in principle. Part of your role as a boss is to be the one with the final say; if things go wrong, it’s up to you to take responsibility, so delegate within reason without overdoing it.
Adaptability/Inconsistency
Agility is a highly-prized quality in modern business; new realities mean new decisions, and being ready to change something when necessary is often what separates a success from a failure. It can become a fault, though, if your instinct becomes too focused on changing the moment there is a hiccup. Sometimes, difficulties are transient and just need to be waited out; if you change plans the moment they become complicated, you may end up turning in too many directions at once and tank the project.
