ladies! let's stand & S.W.O.T!

Personal  Positional Analysis Made Easy

Today is the day we defy the principles and teachings of yesteryear for Ladies!  Yes, today for a moment we turn from demure to BOLD, from modest to boastful, and from behind the curtain to the spotlight!  Let's shed the meek look and take on the CONFIDENT persona of the 21st century Lady!

I recall in charm school being taught the formalities of etiquette. We were taught table manners, conversational protocol and how to be confident but in an unassuming 2nd position sort of way.  This week we are defiant!  We embark on an exercise to take 1st position, be engaged & S.W.O.T. ourselves with pride!  Taking a pause, a moment, to think only of OUR career, business & life goals. I love it! ​

What Does S.W.O.T. Mean?

The acronym is often used in business settings and strategic management conversations as a method to identify and outline where a company has possibility for growth and improvement, with a look to future performance.  If done completely, it can provide a list of internal and external factors that can help or hinder future growth. The goal is to identify Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.

Today I want to engage ladies in a personal look at S.W.O.T.  If this exercise can help an organization to expand in the right areas and prepare for  future outcomes, then it is highly likely that it will help us to set proper goals and elevate our career, business and life.  I will provide questions to assist in expanding upon each section of the analysis.  Dig deep Ladies!  You may need to steal away in a closet or take a trip to Panera Bread alone. I suggest taking a journal along with you. Get started by drawing four quadrants on a sheet, then label the quadrants from left to right, top to bottom as we work thru them.

Before we begin...

Identify your goal, whether it be career, business, ministry or life related.  What is the outcome you desire? "In my career, I would like to __________"(fill in the blank).  This will help to drive your responses in each quadrant.

Now, let's get going...
​
Quadrant 1 - STRENGTHS
Internal factors that set you apart from others.

1. What personal characteristics do you possess that will help to achieve your goals? These are positive character traits. What is it that draws others to you? (Interpersonal & Relational)
2. Which skills, licenses, certifications or degrees do you possess that lend to success and achievement?
3. Do you have access to capital or resources (cash flow, building, office space, technology) that can contribute to reaching your goals?

Quadrant 2 - WEAKNESSES
Internal factors that should be improved on.

1. ​Which personal character flaws or shortcomings do you possess that would stop or slow down personal growth and hinder reaching goals?
2. What skills do those you look up to as mentors and subject matter experts have that you need to develop?
3. What skills, licenses, certifications or degrees:

          a.  would help you to get to the next level of success in the future; or
           b. by not having them hindered or contributed to you not reaching a goal in the past?

Quadrant 3 - OPPORTUNITIES
External trends that would lead to growth & elevation.

1. What problem can you help your leader, customer, employer, or friend to solve? Think of gaps in a process/workflow, or product/service that would fill a popular need.
2. Consider changes in culture/society, politics, technology, and the economy that will allow you to serve others or elevate your current position.
3. Are there any upcoming goals in the organizational business plan that will allow you to display and use your strengths?

Quadrant 4 - THREATS
External factors and trends that could keep you from achieving success.

1. ​List things that might prevent you from reaching your goals.  Think of the same categories as above - culture/society, politics, technology, and economy.
2. What product/service or process/workflow have others already successfully launched & established?
3. What skills do you have that are no longer needed/viable?

How To Use Your S.W.O.T.

The hard part is done!  Whew! 

Ladies, this S.W.O.T. analysis can serve as a blueprint for:

• determining what position you are prepared to apply for;
• identifying the characteristics and skills that require improvement in order to move forward;
• creating a product or service that you are able to support and launch successfully;
• building a strong foundation for leadership growth;
• making money moves in business, where & when to invest time or resources; and/or
• deciding your target customer/market. 

However you decide to move forward, consider these:

• How can you move weaknesses into the strengths quadrant? How can they be improved?
• Which strengths would help to overcome items viewed as threats?
• Which strengths can be explored to maximize opportunities?

The goal is to make use of your strengths to balance against or downplay weaknesses.

Until Next Time Ladies...Lead to Power!

Katrina

P. S.
Reminders!
>>   Schedule a free consultation today to get moving towards your goal.
>>  Download our free Elevation Plan with Tips to begin the transforming your career.
>>  Connect with us in our Facebook Community - The Art of Power Leadership for Ladies.  Catch our Lunch N Learn series. Only available for replay in the FB group.