.svg)
Sweet Spot Venn
Why it matters?
Venn diagrams have been around since the 1880s (the logic diagram originally invented by mathematician John Venn) and are used in all kinds of reasoning scenarios to understand overlapping values that might unlock a problem. In our competitive marketplace, it’s tempting to compare skills and strengths through standardized job titles and categorical roles.
However, each of us brings our own set of skills, traits and experiences to the table to solve problems in a unique way. Hence, the “sweet-spot” Venn, used to find that unique proposition for your calling by overlapping evidence of your strengths in three different categories: Domain (Industry or Vertical Experience), Process (Repeatable Skills or Methods) and Traits (recognized talent or energy that is innate).
How it works?
- Start with your Domain: in what industry, domain or vertical have you spent considerable time in? How would you define your strength of knowledge in this area? (Ie. What would be a talk you would give? Or what would be the title of your book related to this industry?)
- Then move on to your Process: what is the process that you’ve mastered in this domain (or any other) that you’ve used repeatedly to gain considerable skill? (ie. Coaching, Planning, Agile, Design, etc) Could you map this process on the back of a napkin over dinner easily?)
- Lastly, onto your Traits: beyond your job titles or roles, what is a recognized ‘trait’ others have said you possess that has been invaluable to their experience of you in whatever capacity? (ie. What’s your zone of genius? What is the energy you bring to a team? What is a strength or trait in your personality that transcends your role?)
- Then look at the overview of this simple Venn and start to extract what the overlap “sweet spot” could represent. Stretch your thinking here creatively: How could these overlapping values come together in a job that doesn’t exist yet? How could these three overlapping values become an innovative brand that exists beyond you? How would these overlapping values solve problems differently for X?
- Synthesize the insights gleaned from excavating this sweet spot and come up with a conclusive job phrase. Not a title, not a role. But a phrase that encapsulates your strengths coming together into a unique value proposition. Make it easy to remember via whimsical metaphor if needed so that you’re not tied to conformist ideas of work (ie. Benevolent Media Creator or Philosopher-Warrior Educator)
- Ask yourself how you can weave this newfound identity into your work: be it as a team member, or a description in your bio. How can you describe yourself and your work through this sweet spot so people recognize your unique value?
Examples
Transcend conventional roles and job descriptions by recognizing your unique value from existing strengths to stand out from the pack.
Sources: