Start with Small Steps 217 - We’re All Walking Contradictions
217 - We’re All Walking Contradictions
Hey everyone, it’s Jill from the Northwoods! In this episode, I’m sharing one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in life: every strength has a weakness, and every weakness has a hidden strength. Understanding this has helped me navigate relationships, improve my leadership skills, and find more balance in my life.
I’ll take you through personal stories—like how my ability to build strong teams made me a great leader but held me back in tough negotiations. I’ll also break down common traits like confidence, empathy, ambition, and adaptability, showing how they can either work for us or against us. And, of course, I’ll share practical strategies for self-awareness, personal growth, and embracing our full selves.
1. We’re All a Coin – Strengths and Weaknesses Are Connected
I’ve learned that no trait is entirely good or bad—it all depends on context. Confidence can turn into arrogance, perfectionism can cause procrastination, and empathy can lead to emotional exhaustion. Recognizing this has helped me approach life with more balance and understanding.
2. The Hidden Cost of Leaning Too Hard on Strengths
I share a personal experience from my tech career where my leadership style worked well—until I had to handle tough contract negotiations. I was great at team-building but struggled with standing my ground in business. Learning to reframe my perspective helped me find a way to grow in an area that didn’t come naturally to me.
3. Finding Balance in Our Strengths and Weaknesses
We all tend to overuse certain traits, but self-awareness can help us adjust. I’ll share some of my favorite strategies, like journaling, seeking feedback, and partnering with people who complement our weaknesses.
4. Giving Grace to Ourselves and Others
It’s easy to get frustrated with people who think differently than we do. But when I started seeing people as complex individuals—with both strengths and flaws—it changed how I approached relationships. I’ll share how we can extend more understanding and patience to ourselves and those around us.
5. Practical Steps for Growth
Identify patterns in your own behavior – What strength do you overuse? Where do you struggle?
-Seek feedback – Ask people you trust to help you see your blind spots.
-Train the opposite skill – If you’re overly cautious, practice small risks. If you’re a perfectionist, challenge yourself to start before you feel “ready.”
-Surround yourself with people who balance you out – A team or friendship built on complementary strengths is powerful.
Takeaways
-We all have strengths and weaknesses, and they are often two sides of the same coin.
-Self-awareness is the first step to growth—journaling, reflection, and feedback help us adjust.
-Context matters—sometimes a strength can be a liability if used in the wrong way.
-Giving grace to ourselves and others makes life and relationships a lot easier.
-Growth is a process—no one is perfect, and that’s okay.
Your Challenge This Week
Take a moment to reflect on your own strengths and weaknesses. Ask yourself:
What’s a strength I rely on too much?
What’s a weakness that actually benefits me in some way?
How can I find better balance in my life?
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Email me at jillatstartwithsmallsteps.com or leave a comment. And if you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend who might need to hear it!
🎙️ Thanks for listening—I appreciate you, and I’ll see you next week!
https://startwithsmallsteps.com/217-were-all-walking-contradictions/
Jill’s Links
https://abetterlifeinsmallsteps.com
https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsJillday
https://affiliate.notion.so/NorthwoodsAI
https://www.youtube.com/@startwithstartwithsmallstepscast
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps
Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com