A single person can have a set of strengths and weaknesses. While the strengths may be beneficial in the workplace, weaknesses can prevent the person from doing the job successfully. These strengths and weaknesses can also affect the individual in social situations and in private environments. While some people allow their weaknesses to drive their lives, others identify them and work on using the weaknesses as something positive and beneficial.

Dependency vs. Independency

While some people are independent and can make decisions on their own, others are more dependent on other individuals. This can include being dependent on people in the workplace for assignments or dependent on partners, whether it is emotionally, mentally or financially. Many people define independency as a type of strength, as the individual can make decisions on her own without consulting others. Dependency, on the other hand, is often considered a weakness, as the individual allows another person to control or make decisions for her. Many also see a weakness in counting on others constantly.

Hard Work vs. Perfectionism

Some people may confuse hard-working individuals with perfectionists. Being a hard worker and seeking more assignments or tasks is seen a type of strength, especially in the workplace. However, if an individual is spending much time on a single project by going over the stages and planning repeatedly, she may be a perfectionist. Perfectionism is seen as a weakness, as the individual is unable to let go of the project when it reaches a certain satisfactory status. The perfectionist will continue to work and improve the project, even though it is acceptable as-is.

Flexibility vs. Stubborn

Another important strength of the personality is the ability to be flexible in actions or situations. This includes being able to do things out of routine to help others, even if it means taking a bit longer than usual. Being stubborn is considered a weakness, even though some may see it as being determined. However, a person determined to reach a goal but inflexible in terms of helping out others is considered to lack teamwork in a professional workplace.

Good Communicator vs. Excessive Discussion

Communication is a skill needed in all jobs and in all relationships. While some people can balance communication by listening and talking, others may simply talk too much or come on too strongly with opinions and judgments. Being able to balance listening with speaking is considered an acceptable strength in the workplace, as some workers may need to listen to project approaches they do not agree with. Speaking too much can hinder the communication in the workplace or at home, since the other individual in the conversation may not be able to contribute ideas or opinions.