--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Part of strategy is figuring out what…" description: "\"Part of strategy is figuring out what you're good at, figuring out what you're not good at, and then getting yourself in position to succeed by doing m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e2/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_competitive-advantag_part-of-strategy-is-figuring-out-what-yo_1044580.jpg" --- # Part of strategy is figuring out what you're good at… ![“Part of strategy is figuring out what you're good at, figuring out what you're not good at, and then getting yourself in position to succeed by doing mostly what you have a competitive advantage doing.” quote by Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e2/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_competitive-advantag_part-of-strategy-is-figuring-out-what-yo_1044580.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e2/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_competitive-advantag_part-of-strategy-is-figuring-out-what-yo_1044580.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e2/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_competitive-advantag_part-of-strategy-is-figuring-out-what-yo_1044580.jpg) > “Part of strategy is figuring out what you're good at, figuring out what you're not good at, and then getting yourself in position to succeed by doing mostly what you have a competitive advantage doing.” [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advocates aligning tasks with strengths and positioning oneself where competitive advantage can be leveraged. **In simple terms:** Play to strengths, avoid weaknesses. Key Takeaway Leverage what you do best. Themes strategy strengths advantage career self‑awareness Mood analytical practical Type instructional strategic When to use this quote - job design - team building - personal branding - leadership development Key Concepts human resources organizational behavior Questions to Reflect On - What are your blind spots? - How can you develop complementary skills? A Different Perspective Focusing only on strengths may ignore necessary skill gaps. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Competitive advantage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competitive-advantage/) [Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy/) ## Related quotes > [I'm obsessed with doing these competitive reality TV shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larsa-pippen/i-m-obsessed-with-doing-these-competitive-reality-tv-shows/) [Larsa Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larsa-pippen/) > [Strategy is figuring out what not to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/strategy-is-figuring-out-what-not-to-do/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [“How can we walk away from requirements that we know to be true to pursue something that we think will help?” It turns out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/how-can-we-walk-away-from-requirements-that-we-know-to-be-true-to/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [It turns out that is exactly what product strategy is all about—figuring out the right product is the innovator’s job, not the customer’s job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/it-turns-out-that-is-exactly-what-product-strategy-is-all-about/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [Not everyone in an organization is in a position to accumulate power through competent performance because most people are just carrying out the ordinary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/not-everyone-in-an-organization-is-in-a-position-to-accumulate-power/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [The advantage of doing one's praising for oneself is that one can lay it on so thick and exactly in the right places.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-butler/the-advantage-of-doing-one-s-praising-for-oneself-is-that-one-can-lay/) [Samuel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-butler/) > [The advantage of doing away with words is that you can reach out to any part of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prabhu-deva/the-advantage-of-doing-away-with-words-is-that-you-can-reach-out-to/) [Prabhu Deva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prabhu-deva/) > [“Folks can't take advantage of you if you're doing what you want to.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-delany/folks-can-t-take-advantage-of-you-if-you-re-doing-what-you-want-to/) Sarah Delany > [The advantage of doing one's praising to oneself is that one can lay it on so thick and exactly in the right places](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-butler/the-advantage-of-doing-one-s-praising-to-oneself-is-that-one-can-lay/) [Samuel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-butler/) > [One advantage of doing Lear at 70 is that you don't have to play an old man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-hawthorne/one-advantage-of-doing-lear-at-70-is-that-you-don-t-have-to-play-an/) [Nigel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-hawthorne/) > [To succeed in business, you must build a brand and never destroy it. One competitive advantage I had when I ventured into manufacturing was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aliko-dangote/to-succeed-in-business-you-must-build-a-brand-and-never-destroy-it/) [Aliko Dangote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aliko-dangote/) > [The best way to succeed is to have a specific Intent, a clear Vision, a plan of Action, and the ability to maintain Clarity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/the-best-way-to-succeed-is-to-have-a-specific-intent-a-clear-vision-a/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [To succeed put your plan in action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/to-succeed-put-your-plan-in-action/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [“There are only a few key things most VCs look at to understand and get excited about a deal: the problem you are solving,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-feld/there-are-only-a-few-key-things-most-vcs-look-at-to-understand-and/) [Brad Feld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-feld/) > [“when it came to where to play, the company needed to define which regions, categories, channels, and consumers would give P&G a sustainable competitive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-g-lafley/when-it-came-to-where-to-play-the-company-needed-to-define-which/) [A.G. Lafley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-g-lafley/) ## More by Jeffrey Pfeffer > [Trust is about keeping commitments, but in many instances, circumstances change and organizations therefore shed commitments, things such as retiree medical benefits, pension obligations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/trust-is-about-keeping-commitments-but-in-many-instances/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Business school graduates from the best schools earn large salaries and frequently rise to positions of great power. It would be nice if they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/business-school-graduates-from-the-best-schools-earn-large-salaries/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [The individual attributes of warmth and competence are often perceived to be negatively correlated. That doesn't mean they actually are, but that's how people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/the-individual-attributes-of-warmth-and-competence-are-often/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Today, if the CEO thinks it's a good idea, it's done everywhere; if the CEO thinks it's a bad idea, it's done nowhere. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/today-if-the-ceo-thinks-it-s-a-good-idea-it-s-done-everywhere-if-the/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Almost no one as I think most leadership books are a joke. They are, as I note in Leadership BS, frequently based on wishes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/almost-no-one-as-i-think-most-leadership-books-are-a-joke-they-are-as/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Authenticity seems like sort of a joke. Actually I believe it was the late comedian George Burns who said, "if you can fake sincerity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/authenticity-seems-like-sort-of-a-joke-actually-i-believe-it-was-the/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Everyone faces defeats, setbacks, reversals of fortune. But just like water wearing away rock, persistence triumphs. Resilience is one of the most important qualities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/everyone-faces-defeats-setbacks-reversals-of-fortune-but-just-like/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Many companies believe incentives, financial incentives, are the answer to every problem or issue. But people are motivated by much more than money. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/many-companies-believe-incentives-financial-incentives-are-the-answer/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Leaders are not modest, and more importantly, the extensive social science research on narcissism, self-promotion, and similar constructs shows that these qualities and behaviors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/leaders-are-not-modest-and-more-importantly-the-extensive-social/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [“When two people always agree, one of them is unnecessary.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/when-two-people-always-agree-one-of-them-is-unnecessary/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [I completely reject the idea that working adults need to be treated like infants or worse and not told the realities, harsh or not,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/i-completely-reject-the-idea-that-working-adults-need-to-be-treated/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [The stories leaders and others tell, few of which are true, are a lousy foundation on which to base any sort of science, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/the-stories-leaders-and-others-tell-few-of-which-are-true-are-a-lousy/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Being memorable equals getting picked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/being-memorable-equals-getting-picked/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [“(like the BMW mechanic who handed Robert Sutton a survey and pleaded for a five on a five-point scale, because otherwise he would get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/like-the-bmw-mechanic-who-handed-robert-sutton-a-survey-and-pleaded/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Typical pay increases are not enough to motivate employees, but they are enough to irritate them. … Even when companies create seemingly significant pay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/typical-pay-increases-are-not-enough-to-motivate-employees-but-they/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) [Explore all 78 Jeffrey Pfeffer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) ## More Competitive advantage quotes > [“when it came to where to play, the company needed to define which regions, categories, channels, and consumers would give P&G a sustainable competitive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-g-lafley/when-it-came-to-where-to-play-the-company-needed-to-define-which/) [A.G. Lafley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-g-lafley/) > [“There are only a few key things most VCs look at to understand and get excited about a deal: the problem you are solving,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-feld/there-are-only-a-few-key-things-most-vcs-look-at-to-understand-and/) [Brad Feld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-feld/) > [“I believe that everyone is a leader – just not necessarily at all times or situations. But… that in coming to recognise our capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-dachuk/i-believe-that-everyone-is-a-leader-just-not-necessarily-at-all-times/) Cindy Dachuk > [Simplicity: The New Competitive Advantage in a World of More, Better, Faster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jensen/simplicity-the-new-competitive-advantage-in-a-world-of-more-better/) [Bill Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jensen/) > [“The only source of competitive advantage now is a focus on knowledge of and engagement with customers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mcquivey/the-only-source-of-competitive-advantage-now-is-a-focus-on-knowledge/) James McQuivey > [We have a great, positive relationship with Mexico. The Tijuana mayor crosses into San Diego, we talk all the time and vice verses. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-faulconer/we-have-a-great-positive-relationship-with-mexico-the-tijuana-mayor/) [Kevin Faulconer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-faulconer/) > [The information that is passed from person to person and from generation to generation is the primary factor that gives humans a competitive advantage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-henson/the-information-that-is-passed-from-person-to-person-and-from/) [Keith Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-henson/) > [“The only sustainable competitive advantage is an organization's ability to learn faster than the competition.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-senge/the-only-sustainable-competitive-advantage-is-an-organization-s/) [Peter Senge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-senge/) > [As a matter of fact 25% of our U.S. investment banking business comes out of our commercial bank. So it's a competitive advantage for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-dimon/as-a-matter-of-fact-25-of-our-u-s-investment-banking-business-comes/) [Jamie Dimon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-dimon/) > [To succeed in business, you must build a brand and never destroy it. One competitive advantage I had when I ventured into manufacturing was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aliko-dangote/to-succeed-in-business-you-must-build-a-brand-and-never-destroy-it/) [Aliko Dangote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aliko-dangote/) > [I think we should be clear: Companies will still need software that furthers their corporate goals and even gives them competitive advantage. That would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pearlstein/i-think-we-should-be-clear-companies-will-still-need-software-that/) [Steven Pearlstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pearlstein/) > [WTO is not the forum for labour standards. Next, the U.S. will argue the time zone difference is an unfair competitive advantage enjoyed by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jairam-ramesh/wto-is-not-the-forum-for-labour-standards-next-the-u-s-will-argue-the/) [Jairam Ramesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jairam-ramesh/) > [Knowledge has become the key economic resource and the dominant-and perhaps even the only-source of competitive advantage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/knowledge-has-become-the-key-economic-resource-and-the-dominant-and/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [Getting global innovation projects right is really important as they create competitive advantage two ways. When the knowledge for an innovation is from different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yves-doz/getting-global-innovation-projects-right-is-really-important-as-they/) [Yves Doz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yves-doz/) > [Governments like China and the United Arab Emirates are investing heavily in AI and see it as a competitive advantage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/governments-like-china-and-the-united-arab-emirates-are-investing/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) [Browse all 205 Competitive advantage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competitive-advantage/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Part of strategy is figuring out what you're good at, figuring out what you're not good at, and then getting yourself in position to succeed by doing mostly what you have a competitive advantage doing.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jeffrey Pfeffer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/part-of-strategy-is-figuring-out-what-you-re-good-at-figuring-out/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Competitive advantage" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/part-of-strategy-is-figuring-out-what-you-re-good-at-figuring-out/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e2/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_competitive-advantag_part-of-strategy-is-figuring-out-what-yo_1044580.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e2/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_competitive-advantag_part-of-strategy-is-figuring-out-what-yo_1044580.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e2/jeffrey-pfeffer-8575_competitive-advantag_part-of-strategy-is-figuring-out-what-yo_1044580.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Part of strategy is figuring out what you're good at, figuring out what you're not good at, and then getting…” — Jeffrey Pfeffer", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jeffrey Pfeffer", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Part of strategy is figuring out...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/part-of-strategy-is-figuring-out-what-you-re-good-at-figuring-out/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/part-of-strategy-is-figuring-out-what-you-re-good-at-figuring-out/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```