Turn Your Weakness into a Driving Motivation

I recently finished filming for a TV reality show for business professionals called the Transformation Series created by No More Practice. After the show I had the opportunity to meet with one of the show’s business experts – Kim Payne from 9Rok Consulting. One of the questions she asked me that stuck in my head was – “Caxton, what would you do with yourself and your business if you had a magic wand? Build a better business? Generate more money?  Or something else?

Well, let me think? I have already created a number of successful businesses from nothing so I am quite happy with the progress of my new business development ventures – no doubt they are still growing. I am a firm believer that if you are running a business with passion, a strong vision and determination, along with a team of good, supportive staff who share the same vision, then money will follow your business success.

Here is the truth, if I had a magic wand to “transform” myself, I wish I could overcome my minor stuttering which was developed during my childhood. Due to this and also the fact that English is my second language, communication, I must admit, has never been my strength. When I was 26 years of age, I was working in an accounting firm with over 100 employees. Unfortunately, I felt as if my potential was overlooked because of the fact that English was not my strongest point. This may be the reason why I did not have the opportunity to deal with bigger clients and companies.

Because of this, working long hours didn’t guarantee success, recognition or promotions. I knew I needed to work smarter to enhance my knowledge – and by that I am referring to commercial knowledge, people management and soft skills, rather than just technical accounting skills. When dealing with business clients, giving them the general accounting advice or having the book balances is just a standard service, they would not recognise your efforts as these services are expected to be delivered regardless.  If you want to be recognised and stand out from the crowd, you needed to offer more than just accounting advice, you need to be more commercial savvy, show more passion towards their business affairs, be a better listener and try to understand your clients’ body language, mindset and respond accordingly. For a 26 year old junior accountant, that was a lot more to achieve and learn but to succeed I had no choice apart from biting the bullet and putting my head down.

Initially, I was dealing with the smaller clients in the firm for the first 6 months, but because I had chosen to do more in order to overcome my weaknesses, my efforts were soon recognised by the clients, managers and partners. They had all accepted my weakness as they could see the “value added” side of me.  I was working in the same firm for 6 years and during that time had only 1 or 2 small clients who left under my portfolio. My team had the lowest debtors and clients turnover because most of the clients appreciated and recognised my work and efforts.

What I’m trying to say is that, there are no short cuts to be successful, if you want to stand out you need to keep trying and keep practicing. The more you try, the better you can be, and the more confidence you will build, which would make you love the work you are doing as you are always staying on top of the game.

Let’s face it, none of us are perfect, even clients with a multi-million dollar successful businesses. So there is no need to feel uneasy or fearful of your weaknesses. Try to identify the positive side of yourself, look at ways to develop your strengths and try to empower them. Let people see both sides of you and for them to determine your core values. If people have accepted your weaknesses and are willing to engage with you then keep developing your strengths, the negative impacts from your weaknesses will eventually diminish through the strengths you have built up and people will see the benefits and values that they can extract from you.

I shared the above thoughts with David Lee, the CPA General Manager (Sydney) and he believed that because I had recognised my weaknesses and was so determined to make a difference in the early days of my career, I was able to accomplish many milestones before my peers. Of course, I wish I could have dealt with my weakness during my childhood stages. However should I have received the proper treatment, I might have lost my motivation to be a better person. I might still be wandering around in my comfort zone today.

Life’s too short – identify your weaknesses and work on them. The ultimate reward will be recognition for yourself.