Reframe weakness as strength

English was not his first language. He always felt intimidated by the native speakers. Would using big words camouflage his inadequacy? Would it make him appear to be more articulate?

He tried but the words just tumbled out clumsily. What he was thinking just did not match at all to what he was saying.

Her mentor then said to him, “Your perceived weakness can be re framed into strength.”

The more insecure he felt, the simpler the words and shorter the sentences he used. He thought about who will be listening to him and what information would be most useful to them to take away.

Many years later only did he realized what his mentor meant. His weakness in language has pivoted into his strength - to write simple is hard, it is a skill.

Do you have a weakness that you feel held you back? Can you pivot it to strength?