a personal inventory is good for (your) business

“What are your strengths and weaknesses?” I think it’s safe to say this scores right up there as one of the Most Over-Used and Under-Performing Interview Questions Ever. In fact, fwm expert contributor Karen Burns touches on this in a recent piece on interviewing on her fabulous blog, Working Girl.

However, taking an inventory of your strengths and weaknesses is a great personal exercise that can serve you well. fwm community member Sookie brought this up recently, in response to our Roundtable: Starting a Business blog post. She wrote:

One of the first things I did to start my business was research, then hire the professionals in those areas I couldn't do or understand. I am one person who only can wear so many hats, so I found my strong points and hired for my weak points.

You’re one smart cookie, Sookie (c’mon – can you blame me?). I agree with you wholeheartedly: it’s important to know where your vulnerable spots are, and make sure they’re covered. In fact, in my first book I described my inventory-taking as an insurance policy.

What do you think?

Have you used a personal inventory to help round-out your weak spots? Are you intrigued enough to give it a try?

Chime in. I’m interested in finding out where you land on this topic.