Individuals, organizations and government institutions have great potential but they are stuck in the day-to-day tasks or outdated methodologies and they cannot fully unlock human potential. Usually, they make 4 big mistakes. The first is that they focus on weaknesses and not on strengths. Unfortunately, this is something that is planted in our minds from a young age. For example, even at an early stage, if a student excels in analytical subjects but is weak in humanities, that student is advised to focus time and energy on becoming better in humanities. However, if that student then looses touch with analytical subjects, then the result is someone average and unfulfilled - all because focus of resources has been placed on weaknesses and not on strengths. I think we should become better at dealing with our weaknesses but not to such an extent that we lose sight of what makes us unique, great and above all, fulfilled.
The second mistake is another misallocation - a focus on planning first before asking what their mission, personal uniqueness is. Thinking on personal uniqueness is very powerful and important because it is tied to emotional connections, inspiration and the answer must come from the heart. Too many teams and individuals have forgotten to ask what is their personal uniqueness to such an extent that they cannot even answer with ease. It is not easy for everyone to reach inside and re-think why we decide one thing and not another. However hard it may be, question on personal uniqueness is a crucial question and must be asked because the answer has to do with what makes us happy and fulfilled.
The third mistake that individuals, organizations and countries make is concentrating on success instead of following their heart. Tangible and short-term achievements that are returned in the form of monetary rewards are not what will be fulfilling in the long-term. Of course we all need a salary, but we should not focus on getting it. If we follow our heart, hopes and dreams, the monetary rewards will also follow. One of my favorite quotes is "Not all dreamers are achievers, but all achievers are dreamers."
The fourth mistake is about concentrating on time management instead of energy management. Most professionals respond to rising work place demands by putting in longer hours, which inevitably take a toll on us physically, mentally, and emotionally. This leads to low engagement and low dissatisfaction. Unlike time, which is a finite resource, energy is renewable. In human beings, energy comes from four main sources: the body, mind, spirit and emotions. In each, energy can be systematically expanded and regularly renewed. For each source, professionals need to take the responsibility and find what it takes to renew their energy intentionally and periodically. The cost of organizations not focusing on energy management is a workforce headed for a burnout. If we want to unlock our human to focus on strengths and not weaknesses, ask and answer personal uniqueness question before we start to plan, concentrate on energy management and not on time management, and follow the heart not tangible rewards only. I believe this is the way how people can do what they like and be not only more productive, but also happier. If people are happier their immune system is better and they are healthier. This why my personal mission is: "Help individuals, organizations and countries to unlock their human potential". I am strong believer that if we unlock human potential on our planet we will build better society.