Transcending Your Limitations
Bernie Daina, a friend who specializes in corporate organization, was talking about what he looks for in a resume before an interview. Among other things, he spoke about looking for an individual who continually transcends their limitations.
This is a topic quite close to my heart, because, it speaks to the possibility that some individuals actual can and do fundamentally improve themselves over time.
I'm not an 'operator' CEO, and likely never will be. Fact is, I don't posses the talents of an 'operator'. But I'm tenacious, open-minded, and aware of this. When I look for partners, I look for people who fill this lack of skill.
Realizing this limitation, I've become conscious about working at it, and I'm determined improve and transcend this limitation, if not in myself, then by choosing to surround myself with operators. Will I ever be better than someone who's training and genetics are simply more in tune with world-class operator-like behavior? Never, but that doesn't mean that I can't be effective.
It's funny how people get labeled, and how those first impressions stick with people long beyond their useful life. I used to be offended when people referred to my lack of talent in a particular area as if it were a fact beyond reproach. I'm no longer intimidated by such comments, because I've come to realize that in 90% of all cases, that bias is actually true, and a reinforced and learned phenomenon. It's not personal, it's just what people have learned to be true in most cases.
I think it says a lot about a person if they are self-aware of their limitations, but strive to apply discipline and hard work to overcome them. Those are the sort of people I'd like to be around.
