Growth begins when we start to accept our own weakness.

• Jean Vanier

There’s little I find as useful in business as knowing my weaknesses. This applies to me as a person just as it applies to my business, GGG, and any business that I am leading or involved in.

It is in weaknesses that I find opportunities for growth or increased stability and future success.

As a human being, my partner in life – my wife – makes me a better person. I know my weaknesses, and I know that with and because of her, I will grow into a stronger person. I like to flatter myself by imagining that she feels the same about me, and that many healthy, enduring and strong relationships include this dynamic.

As a business leader, I find that it is best to surround myself with those who can do what I cannot. Whenever Grisanti, Galef & Goldress brings on a new associate or partner, we ensure that this person has skill sets and areas of expertise that are outside of what we already know, do and provide. In that way, our business and its services grow and evolve and we get stronger as a company.

Successfully bringing on someone who fits this bill begins with understanding our weaknesses as a company.

Similarly, when I am brought in to lead another company, I want to know where the weaknesses are. Considering the crisis situation a company is in when I’m brought on, no doubt the immediate weaknesses are apparent to me – as they are to others. However, it’s an analysis of everywhere else that the company is weak – and therefore vulnerable – that allows me to start shoring up those holes and preventing further and future catastrophe.

For instance, if I’m brought in to manage a cash crisis, but discover that a company’s key products have not evolved in two decades and are now competing in a saturated market, that’s a weakness that needs to be addressed and is no doubt linked to the cash crisis – or will be one day. If I learn that we have a Big Gorilla as a client, then I’m going to see how that potential crisis can be mitigated early as well. It’s knowing these weaknesses that help with current problems and stave off future ones.

Knowing your weaknesses allows you to address them and grow as a person, company and business leader. Face the harsh reality.

Want to learn the kinds of questions you should be asking yourself to face your harsh reality and learn where your weaknesses might be? Then read my 3 Part series (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) and find out!

What are your weaknesses? How do you plan to deal with them?