Strengths and Weaknesses

It may be necessary sometimes, in dealing with others to toughen up oneself mentally. Consider the following scenarios:

1. A bright hardworking employee is promoted by management to a supervisory position. This person may have less seniority in the workplace than some other employees who have been there longer but have not shown the dedication and initiative of the newly promoted employee. That, in fact, is the reason why they were bypassed for the promotion. Their displeasure in being overlooked may be expressed in non-cooperative and hostile behaviour toward the new supervisor. Consequently, he would always have to be on guard in dealing with them. He must always ensure that he “covers his a**” on the job. Despite this, it is his responsibility to ensure productivity in the department. He must develop a “new strength” to do so.
However, this attitude of constantly having to be on the defensive may spill over into his social relations with others. It may affect his ability to trust others, including his friends and acquaintances, perhaps even certain members of his family. This may adversely affect his personal relationship with others.
Also, the person may become so "uptight" that, even away from the workplace, he/she may find it difficult to "unwind", and to engage in some "relaxing" recreational activity.

2. A person falls in love with another. Initially, the relationship is very beautiful and they are both quite happy. They trust each other completely, at least that is what they tell each other. They may even marry and have children of their own. However, after some time, the person notices that his/her partner seems to be “holding back” in the relationship. Later, he/she discovers that the partner is having an affair with another person. The effect of this is quite devastating initially, but gradually the person overcomes the trauma of the experience. However, he/she becomes emotionally scarred by the experience and is very wary to enter into a new relationship for fear of being hurt again. The disappointment of the heartbreak has given the person a “new strength” with respect to relationships. However, the new found strength may prove to be a “weakness” in dealing with others and starting a new relationship where trust is required.
As they say: “Once bitten, twice shy”.

Can a person's greatest strength also prove to be his/her greatest weakness?

What do you think?

(Open discussion welcome)
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Comments (7)

sea

Thanks for your comment.

Re 1., I agree with the theory part that you have stated, but it may be different in practice.
In a different situation, some men, including those in high management positions, which require a lot of mental concentration, do not seem to be able to "leave the job at the office" when they leave there to go home to their wives and children. I have heard of cases where some women complain of this. Of course, the "balanced" worker welcomes the home environment, and uses it as therapy after being under stress at work all day.

Re 2., I am sorry to hear of your experience, but happy to know that you have left it behind and are moving on with your life.

Take Care!
Socrates,

1. The workaholic perhaps? it's sad when people 'become' the job they are, as in it defines their existence and they can't distinguish work life from home life! Balance is the word.

2. Past is past. Future is better!

Thanks for your thought provoking blogs, wish there were more of them! Take care yourself.
Hello Socrateswave handshake , I ve in past have worked with younger bosses. The good ones thrived in their position, they were in that position of authority for a reason. And some of the younger bosses I had, had their frailties come forward , and they didn't last long. I did my best to work with my bosses not getting upset with them, but realizing they were in a position I didn t want. I couldn't be bother getting upset with younger bosses, unless they interfered with my work , and responsibility.
In past I ve been scarred by some bad relationships, and was very leery about future ones. Swore to myself I wouldn't put myself in that situation again. Maybe that strength, explains why I m still single. Strengh or weakness. Life is a lesson. I think as we age we realize some strengths could be weaknesses.
One of my older bosses, an engineer, once told me , > When a person makes a mistake, and learns from it , and improves on it, its not a mistake, its a lesson.
Socrates, handshake , you have a Good Day My Friend,yay
1to1to1
Hello!
Nice to hear from you again!

I appreciate your position as you stated, that you had no interest in becoming the "boss" on the job, but were there others in your workplace who openly expressed an interest in becoming the boss, but that interest was denied? These are the type of persons to whom I am referring.

Concerning your relationships, your reaction is only natural since "Once bitten, twice shy".
However, seagrit has some good advice. See her comments above.

Please allow me to quote and post the view of your older boss:

"When a person makes a mistake, and learns from it , and improves on it, its not a mistake, its a lesson."

It is good advice for all of us.

Thanks for your input and have a wonderful day!
Hi soc wave

to skip through the work load and to reply to your question..
can ones strength also be ones weakness???

i think not...
but i think it can become ones own worst enemy instead.
Itchy

Thanks for your comment.

You wrote:

"i think not...
but i think it can become ones own worst enemy instead."


I agree, in the sense, that one may view one's "weakness" as one's "enemy", or being something "negative".

However, I won't quibble about it.

Have a lovely day!

BTW, do not let the negative comments of others affect you!
given your one of the wisest man here ...
i appriciate Soc what your saying handshake

negative is realistic....
positivity rests with dreamers, or hopefulls.. and hope is a nicely designed word to give to them that like to live in denial.dunno confused
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socrates44

San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago

I identify with the following words of Socrates:
“Know thyself”.
“The unexamined life is not worth living”.

I am a person who seek depth in life and living. This has been an overwhelming desire in me even since childhood. It is identified with a [read more]