May Fast Company Article "How To Overcome Your Strenths" by Michael Kaplan Page 225-234.

Did you ever think about that your strengths and troubles may be connected? Usually we think of weaknesses as things things that would cause problems in our daily lives as well as your job. Your strengths can also bother in the business world.

Kaplan states that we should be flexible and able to adapt readily to what is going in every situation. The occupation of an Nutrition Education Assistant is constantly changing. We change forms, goals, and techniques.

The article talks about Ed Garnett. He states that having a meeting with very vocal people can be intimidating. In my own life, I often freeze up and not talk in groups. I guess I had never thought about how people preceived my silence. It was my way of getting absorbed in what was going on at the meeting. At one of our meetings, a person mentioned to me afterwards that he was glad that I had expressed my feelings. At that point I realized that my opinions mattered. People wanted to hear my thoughts. But I think I also need to be clear and to the point--not rambling on and on.

Joan McCoy stated that its important to use you skills at work, as well as at home or with any relationship. You need to listen and communicate with employees, with the public, or with any relationship. It is hard to fool employees into believing you care when you don't pay attention to their needs. As you learn about others talents and skills you will learn about your talents and skills.

In this short article on, "Why People Fail," I found these statements and I have hung a sign in my office. 1. They don't adapt to transition. 2. They are difficult to work with. 3. They fail to lead in a team-centered way. I think this is an excellent reminder for everyone. In practicing these things the office, marriage, and basics of life can survive.

My office staff laughed at this, but now have said that the statements do make a lot of sense. We all need to be more flexible. Conscious recognition of the problem and practice toward changing those behaviors are the first steps in resolving the problem. If you solve the small problems--you won't have big ones????? Is that right?

-- Anonymous, November 16, 1999