Our public strengths (known competencies) are usually what get us in trouble—not our public weaknesses (or even unknown or non-revealed weaknesses). We need feedback from other people (Quad 2 to Quad 1) if we are to know when our strengths are inappropriate or over-used. We don’t need feedback that this is a strength—this we already know—but we do need feedback about when best to use this strength. I am articulate—but I talk too much in some settings. What are those settings in which my strength of articulation is over-used or inappropriate, and what is the impact of this misuse? About this I need feedback.
Looking Ahead
As we turn to the dynamics of the other three quadrants, we will keep returning to this theme of appreciation and to the processes of disclosure and feedback that enable us to enlarge our Quadrant One in an appropriate and selective manner. We begin this fuller exploration by turning to Quadrant Two.
