Are You Focused On Your Sweet Spot?

Are You Focused On Your Sweet Spot?

By

Eric M. Twiggs

“To compete on a world class level, you need to accentuate your strengths. Focus on the things you're good at and let someone else do the rest.”  Robert Herjavec

Watching the second game of the NBA Finals on Sunday, reminded me of an interview that was done with basketball coaching legend John Wooden.   Coach Wooden is considered to be the greatest coach of all time in any sport.  His UCLA Bruin teams won ten national championships in twelve years and he was named national coach of the year six times. 

Typically, when a player goes up in levels of competition, his shooting percentage goes down.  For example, if someone makes 50% of his shots at the high school level, he evolves into a 45% shooter in college.  The combination of higher stakes and better defenders tends to lower his success rate.  This however was not the case when it came to the players Wooden coached.

On average, his people shot a higher percentage with him at the college level than they did in high school!  How was he able to buck the trend?  The answer was revealed in the interview.

In his book The 5 Levels of Leadership, John Maxwell recalls the interview he conducted with the legendary coach.   Wooden mentioned that many of his players were average shooters when they entered the program.

He knew each of them had a specific spot on the floor where they shot the best, and designed plays for them accordingly.   Anyone who shot outside of their spot on the floor earned a seat next to him on the bench!   In other words, he focused on their sweet spot.

You have earned your seat next to me on the bench if you can relate to any of the following scenarios:

• You’re trying to convert your diagnostic technician, who doesn’t get along with anyone, into your next service writer. 
• You can’t understand why your bookkeeper, who doesn’t like people, isn’t following through with making follow up calls.
• You still have a flip phone, but have designated yourself as “the social media guru” for your shop!

Read on and you will learn two strategies to help you focus on the sweet spot, so that you get yourself back in the game.   

Bird Based Hiring

According to research conducted by Dr. Gary Couture, everyone fits into one of four personality types named after the following birds: Eagle, Peacock, Owl, and Dove.    The eagle is driven, thrives on confrontation, and focuses more on results than relationships.  The peacock is people oriented, assertive, and lacks concern for the details.

The owl is analytical, detail oriented, and prefers projects over people.  The dove is sensitive, caring, and wants to avoid confrontation whenever possible.  Bird based hiring will allow you to place people in their sweet spot.

Hiring an owl to be your service writer would be like coach Wooden asking his best inside player to be an outside shooter. On the other hand, hiring the peacock as your service writer would put him in his sweet spot, since peacocks tend to be people oriented. 

A dove may not be the best fit for the general manager role.  Their high levels of sensitivity would make it hard to maintain accountability. The eagle would be the better choice because they have an easier time with making unpopular decisions, as a result of their desire to win at all costs. 

This is why I recommend having all hiring prospects take the wonderlic personality test beforehand. Matching the bird with the role, will help you fly towards your goal. 

Blind Spot Awareness

If reading this has brought you to the realization that you’re in the wrong role, don’t panic.   A key to your success is becoming aware of your shortcomings. The good news is that once you become aware of your blind spots, you can make the necessary adjustments.

If you are an “owl” shop owner, who is writing service, replacing yourself with a peacock will free you up to focus on the analysis you enjoy.   If you’re a dove, who’s currently in the general manager role, having an eagle as your second in command, can give you more time to operate in your sweet spot of customer service management. 

 Knowing your weaknesses also gives you the opportunity to adjust your behavior to suit the requirements of the role.  If behaving outside of your normal tendencies doesn’t work for you, then finding a role that’s a natural fit is the solution. 

Just taking the personality profile test, doesn’t make you aware of your blind spots.  Reviewing the results and working through the next steps is critical and will bring you to the following fork in the road:  Either change your behaviors or find a role that’s in tune with your natural sweet spot. 

Conclusion

So there you have it.    If you want to get better as you go to the next level, finding your sweet spot is the key.   Bird based hiring and blind spot awareness will give you the best shot!  Are you focused on your sweet spot?

Eric M. Twiggs

The Accountability Coach

www.autotraining.net

PS.  Having trouble finding your sweet spot?  Email etwiggs@autotraining.net and I will send you my four birds checklist.