Building on Strengths

I was rereading some parts of the book Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath last night and it made me think about applying those concepts to training athletes. So often in evaluating our athletes and subsequently designing the training programs we focus on the weakness, what they can’t do and ignore the strengths, what they can do. We work so hard on the weaknesses that the strengths erode, in essence creating a leveling effect, a regression toward the mean.  Instead maybe we should find what the athlete’s strengths are and build on those areas. Find a way to take advantage of the strengths and minimize the weaknesses, this may be a consummate example of the art of coaching. I don’t have an answer although I do know it is a delicate balance, in many ways constant compromise. I also know that it changes as the athlete progresses in their career and advances in training age. I would be interested in your comments and how you approach it.