Zig Ziglar was a giant among speakers. He warned people not to “become a wandering generality,” but to “be a meaningful specific.” 

It sounds simple. But if it were, his words of caution from years ago wouldn’t still ring so true today. Being specific is a challenge. 

Some say it’s good to be “well-rounded.” And it is… to a point. It usually makes you a decent conversationalist and more fun at parties. Employers want to see that you’re well-versed in more than one area… and that you value a balance between work and other aspects of life. 

But without focus, a person’s skills are at risk of underdevelopment, and their life of underachievement. Without concentration, a person’s promise may never reach its full potential. 

This is a great life lesson, but it also applies to how we interact with others.

Parents raise children to excel by helping them grow their individual strengths and working toward expressed goals. Good leaders provide employees with feedback; but great leaders provide employees with targeted feedback – not just when they make mistakes, but also when they do well. 

Today’s Peace of Wisdom can be found in valuing specificity.