Article
Circles and Triangles: Confusing ‘Well Rounded’ with ‘Strength’
January 2, 2020
I was thinking about circle and triangles and how, in our society, many people believe we should all be well-rounded circles. In fact, we talk about how being ‘well-rounded’ as a better thing to be – a well-rounded athlete, for example – but is it?
But the truth is, many people are not well-rounded: they’re more like a triangle, with skills and attributes that are strong and sharp. And, from my perspective, when we try to take a strong triangle, and make it into a circle, we weaken it.
Now, I’m not an engineer, but I do know that in mathematics and engineering, nothing beats the unyielding strength of the triangle. It’s unparalleled in terms of its strength to support a load and to resist external forces. You just have to look at bridges and trusses to see their power at work.
So why would you take a high-performing, salesperson who is amazing with customers and at finding solutions, and get them to focus on inputting data into the company CRM, or on their writing skills – to make their triangle more like a circle?
It may seem logical to try make them more ‘well-rounded’ but, in reality, that person is better off focusing on getting in front of more clients, and have someone else edit their work or input details into the CRM.
You’re much better off with two overlapping triangles: one who is amazing at sales and another who is amazing at administration.
Many executives know and live by this, but many miss this principle and try to force really good triangle people into a weaker, mediocre circle. Not good for them or for the company.
The Challenge
- Find a way to leverage and celebrate your triangle-ness by investing in your strengths:
- Read or review Invest in Your Sweet Spots (Chapter 4 Your Oxygen Mask First)
- Leveraging the strengths of others on your team instead of making yourself into a circle:
- Read or review Make Yourself Useless (Chapter 10, Your Oxygen Mask First).
About Lawrence & Co.
Lawrence & Co. is a growth strategy and leadership advisory firm that helps mid-market companies achieve lasting, reliable growth. Our Growth Management System turns 30 years of experience into practical steps that drive clarity, alignment, and performance—so leaders can grow faster, with less friction, and greater confidence.
About Kevin Lawrence
Kevin Lawrence has spent three decades helping companies scale from tens of millions to hundreds of millions in revenue. He works side-by-side with CEOs and leadership teams across North America, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and Europe, bringing real-world insights from hands-on experience. Kevin is the author of Your Oxygen Mask First, a book of 17 habits to help high-performing leaders grow sustainably while protecting their mental health and resilience. He also contributed to Scaling Up (Rockefeller Habits 2.0). Based in Vancouver, he leads Lawrence & Co, a boutique firm of growth advisors.