Comments on: Are You Untouchable?

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Wed, 04 May 2011 15:58:06 +0000

You are going to do great, Jaana! Thanks, bret

By: JaanaEubanks

JaanaEubanks — Tue, 03 May 2011 23:56:23 +0000

Bret.

I agree 100%! As a soon to be MBA graduate, times are tough in finding work. But instead of dwelling on it, it’s better to take the time to better myself in more unique and diverse ways. Hopefully this way, I’ll be recognized for my effort and innovation.

Jaana Eubanks

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:24:21 +0000

Concur, simple but not easy and endless potential. thanks! Bret

By: Juan

Juan — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:42:16 +0000

That makes sense – we do need to go out of our confort zone -as you said it; you are leading the way by posting videos, I read your material and watch your videos, I recently started my own blog I was scared at first, I am new in social media, but I think the space to grow has endless possibilites.

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:36:55 +0000

Juan, thanks for visiting and commenting. I would never suggest to focus on weakness, just not to ignore it or to become so focused on strength that strength becomes a weakness. A year ago I would have thought it crazy to have a website – NOT my comfort zone. And now I am making video, again NOT my comfort zone. But I am learning and growing by trying new things I never would have considered not that long ago. Thanks! Bret

By: Juan

Juan — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:45:25 +0000

Dr. Bret – I agree on the sense that we learning and becoming better is a journey not a destination; I do think we rather than focusing on my weakneses I need to better leverage my strenghts and then focus my energy 100%.

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:21:32 +0000

Welcome,Debra! I do understand strengths as you describe it and still find it limiting in concept and practice. We might have to disagree on this. I appreciate your comment and hope you will return again sometime to share your thoughts. Thanks! Bret

By: Deedra C. Bass

Deedra C. Bass — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:53:02 +0000

I think you may misunderstand the Strengths movement – at least as I apply it. Strengths are not about NOT learning and growing. They ARE about learning and growing in the areas in which you are most likely to have world-class performance and mitigating the other areas so that they don’t interfere.

If you’ve encountered folks who are applying Strengths in a “Don’t expect me to change” fashion, they’re doing their followers a great disservice. I’ve found great benefit in using Strengths to create Individual Development Plans for High Potential employees and in coaching engagements.

Bottom line: Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

DCB

By: Bret L. Simmons

Bret L. Simmons — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:45:04 +0000

And from Arie De Geus as quoted in Senge’s Fifth Discipline: “The ability to learn faster than your competitors may be the only sustainable competitive advantage.” Work must becmoe more “learningful.” Thanks! Bret

By: Wally Bock

Wally Bock — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:34:19 +0000

Here’s a quote from Jeff Immelt that seems to fit: “You don’t get the job as head of something like GE based on how much you know. You get it based on how fast you can learn.”