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Updated 09.01.09

01.05.07

 

How to Create Symmetry in Business by Exposing Your Flaws

The Secret is Weak Point Training

 

By Beverly Floyd

When Arnold Schwarzenegger began weight training, he had wimpy calves.  He would spend all of his time in the gym working on the areas of his body where he achieved quicker, more eye-popping results – like his biceps and back – while hiding his legs underneath sweatpants so not to be reminded of where he lacked muscular precision.  Then one day he took a dramatic leap forward and faced reality.  He cut off the bottoms of his training pants as part of his psychological ploy to transform his underdeveloped calves into mind-boggling cannon ball calves.  And it worked!  I call this strategy Weak Point Training and it is applicable in business, too.

Many leadership experts and consultants promote focusing on the strengths of your organization and the individual strengths of your people when developing your business.  This is wise counsel; however, there is a fine line between playing to your strengths and ignoring your weaknesses. 

Leveraging strengths is always a smart move, but when you allow the underdeveloped areas of your business to lag behind, it can be detrimental to the growth and success of your organization.  In bodybuilding, Schwarzenegger so aptly refers to this as “lacking sense of perfection”.

Exposing your flaws (areas of your business that have been overlooked and/or unattended) takes extreme amounts of courage.  You can privately FACE your flaws but when you publicly EXPOSE your flaws, it is out there for the world to see and criticize. 

When I discussed this concept with my daughter (a high school sophomore at the time), she asked why a person would want to let others know about their flaws.  “Wouldn’t they lose customers and employees?” she inquired.  Great Question!  The truth is you are more likely to lose business when you ignore your deficiencies. 

Your internal and external customers already know where you fall short, so being (or pretending to be) oblivious to your flaws is an insult to their intelligence.  You are more likely to KEEP your customers when you come clean about your areas for improvement and let your clients know that you have a plan to create symmetry and better serve them.

"As a tough critic of myself, I always want my best to come forth, but I know that acknowledging my flaws allows those who work for me to understand my leadership style better." F. Allen, Chief, U.S. Navy

Where Does Weak Point Training Apply?

The concept of symmetry or “weak point training” can be applied to processes, resources, teams and individuals.  It is not to be confused with adding products and services that have no place or relevance to your organization (e.g., selling widgets when you’re not in the widget business).  Rather, Weak Point Training is about attending to the under-developed areas of your business so they are sensibly proportionate to the rest of your operations.  Creating symmetry equalizes lopsided service delivery to help you compete more competently and confidently in your market space.   

How Do I Identify Flaws?

Identifying the flaws in your business is not always as simple as it seems.  In the gym, there are always critics who are more than happy to point out your imperfections; but in business, you may have to study your organization and utilize tools like customer surveys, internal needs analyses, comparative studies, and assessments.  Once you determine your weak spots, you will need to align your corporate training program to put more emphasis on those areas and bring them in proportion with your stronger areas, creating definition and symmetry. 

Using the Priority Principle

One of the most popular and effective strategies used in the gym to develop wimpy muscles is the “Priority Principle”.  The Priority Principle is simply training your weak area in the beginning of your workout when your muscles are fresh and your energy and intensity levels are greatest. 

If you spot more than one flaw, it is important not to try targeting them all at once.  Keep your weak point training distinct and separate so that each area gets its proper attention.  You may want to start with the area that when developed, will have the most significant impact on your employees and customers. 

Another tactic is to begin with the flaw that can be developed in a shorter period of time, establishing a quick but meaningful win, to bolster the confidence of your team.  

Risk of Over-Training

When engaging in a workout, there is always the risk of over-training.  This is the bodybuilder's worst nightmare because if he over-trains muscle development will come to a halt.  When an athlete lifts weights, the muscle fibers "break down".  It is actually during the rest phase when the muscles recuperate and grow.  In the words of Schwarzenegger, “… training stimulates growth, but actual growth takes place while you are resting.”  Bodybuilders who learn and apply this timeless truth are able to achieve Olympian size results. 

Corporate weak point training is similar.  Training too hard and too often will eventually result in burn-out and prevent the natural learning, application and growth process to occur.  Training stimulates knowledge, but organic growth will occur when the new knowledge becomes second nature, and employees are able to incorporate them instinctively to their work day. 

Striving for Perfection

Lastly, there is no such thing as a perfect anything.  Once you spot train and develop your flaws in proportion to your strengths, you are sure to discover additional areas in your organization that are lagging.  

The Corporate Vine’s weak point training technique can help you create organizational symmetry and improve your corporate physique.  Contact us for a free consultation.

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