A strength is the expression of a desirable or positive quality in a person, organization or event.
Weaknesses are undesirable attributes in a person, organization or event, since they are of little use in achieving the proposed objectives.
All strengths can be improved, as well as new ones can be developed. In the same way, weaknesses can be eliminated or diminished.
| Strengths | Weaknesses | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A set of qualities or capabilities with positive attributes that can contribute to the achievement of certain objectives. | They are negative or undesirable qualities that when manifested could hinder the achievement of a goal. |
| Types |
Strengths of people
Strengths of the companies
Strengths in a job interview
|
Weaknesses of individuals
Weaknesses of companies
Weaknesses in a job interview
|
Strengths of a person
In people, strengths can be understood as those positive qualities that can be instrumentalized, that is, they can be executed in reality to obtain certain desired results.
These are some of the most common personal strengths:
1. Resilience
Resilience is the ability of people to overcome negative events and learn from them.
2. Companionship
Being a good partner implies having the willingness to work with others toward a common goal, respecting each other’s differences and making valuable contributions that are nurturing to the group.
3. Self-esteem
Self-esteem has to do with the perception that a person has of him/herself. To the extent that this self-perception is positive, the person will be more willing to take on challenges, connect with others and make contributions to the collective.
4. Tenacity
The ability to maintain the commitment to achieve a goal is what is known as tenacity. It is a strength that is nourished by perseverance and effort, hence it is essential to develop it to maintain interest in our projects without giving up when difficulties arise.
5. Emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence is a strength of those who can recognize their emotions, express them adequately and therefore, can do the same with other people, which leads them to relate more efficiently.
6. Humor
A sense of humor is the ability to see reality from an amusing, playful point of view.
People who can face everyday life with a good sense of humor are more likely to find creative solutions and have the ability to reduce tension in a given situation.
7. Sense of purpose
By having an idea of how one wants to live one’s life and executing the pertinent actions to achieve it, it is said that the person has a sense of purpose, that is, he/she knows what his/her vital motivation is.
See also:
Weaknesses of people
Personal weaknesses are associated with qualities or behaviors that generate negative consequences for the person or their environment, hence they are aspects that are socially unacceptable or not very tolerable.
These are some of the weaknesses of people that can be detected most commonly:
1. Dishonesty
Dishonesty is a weakness of people who tend to act falsely, either to benefit themselves or to hide their mistakes.
2. Laziness
Laziness prevents the person from being able to carry out his or her goals, and thus can significantly interfere with the development of his or her potential.
3. Moodiness
Lack of a sense of humor often contributes to people seeing problems as much more complex than they really are.
4. Disorder
Lack of organization is a weakness that expresses an absence of order in terms of thoughts and priorities. And although it would seem that in principle the disorder only affects the person who suffers from it, the reality is that it can have a direct impact on the immediate environment, including the professional.
5. Cowardice
Although fear can be a useful tool to protect us or to flee in a dangerous situation, cowardice is a permanent inability to face challenges generated by an excess of prudence in thinking or acting.
Cowardice not only keeps people from achieving their goals, but also prevents them from developing their potential by preventing them from knowing their true response capacity when taking on challenges.
6. Pessimism
A pessimistic person is not only denying himself the possibility of seeing life in a different way, but also runs the risk of isolating himself from his environment by being avoided by other people who do not share this way of perceiving the world.
7. Inferiority complex
Inferiority complex could be considered one of the expressions of low self-esteem. It is a weakness of people who lack confidence in themselves or in their talents, which leads them to consider that they do not have what it takes to achieve what they want.
See also Principles and values
Strengths of a company
The strengths of a company are all the characteristics that allow the company to stand out in its field and differentiate itself from the competition. Strengths are also understood as all the aspects that make the organization more efficient: from financial management to human resource management.
These are some elements that can become differentiating aspects for the organization:
1.Time in the market
A company with a long time in the market tends to transmit confidence not only among its customers, but also among potential business allies.
2. Corporate identity
A strong, enduring corporate identity with a clear strategic vision can become a reference in its field and therefore a market leader.
3. Customer service
While this can be a very fragile aspect in some organizations, when the promise of satisfaction is delivered, customer service can become a differentiator for a company.
4. Quality of products and services
A product or service of excellent quality is a strength, especially if the market is saturated with unsatisfactory options. This can become a highlight that the organization can leverage to its advantage.
5. Technological update
The use of apps, online care and social networking can be attractive to customers. Cloud-based information technology services or management systems can make a significant operational difference in driving the company towards efficiency.
Weaknesses of a company
The weaknesses of a company are all the events, elements or deficiencies that prevent the organization from achieving its objectives. They are considered a risk to its stability. These are some of the most common ones:
Lack of communication or marketing strategies.
If the company does not work on strategies that allow brand recognition or the loyalty of potential customers, it will be very difficult for the company to stand out from the competition.
2. Lack of integration and cooperation among personnel
When personnel do not work towards common objectives, undesirable situations such as duplication of tasks (due to lack of communication), lack of leadership and apathy can be generated. Any of these can threaten the stability of the company in the short term.
3. Technological obsolescence
The lack of technological updating can pause operational or production processes and decrease efficiency in management processes. In addition, it can make the organization invisible in digital channels that today are essential for direct communication with customers.
4. Lack of transparency in finances
This point is crucial, because the company’s survival over time and the welfare of its employees depend on its finances. When this aspect is not handled professionally, it can have serious consequences for the organization.
Strengths in a job interview
In a job interview, one of the sections that can be most nerve-wracking for candidates is the battery of questions about strengths and weaknesses.
These types of answers help the recruiter get a better idea of how well the candidate can handle job responsibilities and challenges.
In this case, the candidate should focus on strengths directly linked to the position he/she is going to fill or the profile of the company he/she aspires to work for. These are some of the strengths that are appreciated by employers:
1. Punctuality
Punctuality is an indicator of time management and of the consideration that the candidate shows towards his or her future bosses. That is why it is so important to be on time for the interview and to avoid giving the impression of being rushed.
2. Experience
While experience is a valued aspect, the candidate should seek to emphasize previous work with responsibilities related to the position he/she wants to fill.
3. Specialized studies
If the person has studies or courses that may be useful for the position for which he/she is applying, he/she should mention it and specify how he/she believes they can be of value to the company.
4. Research
A previous research about the company and the recent activities in which it has been linked can generate a positive impact on the recruiter, since it shows the candidate’s interest in knowing in depth the place where he/she wants to work.
Weaknesses in a job interview
When talking about weaknesses in a job interview, there are ways to express yourself assertively to generate a good impression. Here are some weaknesses that come up most often in job interviews:
1. Lack of experience
Lack of experience does not necessarily have to be a negative thing (there are cases where inexperienced candidates are expressly sought). However, if a background is required that the candidate does not have, it is possible to communicate the intention to take advantage of a potential job opportunity to learn what is needed.
2. Impunctuality
To talk about this point, it is best to omit the word unpunctuality. It makes a better impression to talk about time management and the personal work that is being done to have a better planning.
3. Incomplete studies
Depending on the position to which one aspires, the lack of studies or their inconclusion can be an obstacle to be considered by recruiters. In this case, you can express the desire to complete the respective studies or courses to be able to support the company with the knowledge acquired.
See also: Qualities and defects of a person.
