Many people believe that SWOT analysis is just for boring business presentations that managers tick off in their annual planning. But what if I told you: this tool could be the most important map of your personal and leadership development? In this article, we'll show you how to use SWOT in the world of coaching and leadership development in a way that makes a real difference in your life.

1. What is a SWOT analysis?(In plain English, for everyone)

Let's start with the basics, but forget the dry definitions! Imagine you want to reach the top of a mountain. To get to the top, you need to know two things: what's inside you (whether your legs are strong enough, whether you have water) and what is around you (what the weather is like, whether the cliff is steep).

SWOT does exactly that. The acronym is Strengths (Strengths), Weaknesses (Weaknesses), Opportunities (Options) and Threats (Dangers) is made up of the words.

The two sides of SWOT:

1. Internal factors (yourself): Strengths and Weaknesses. These are within your control, they are up to you.
2. External factors (The world): Opportunities and Threats. They happen independently of you, but you have to react to them.

2. Why is a management SWOT different from a simple company analysis?

When consultancies write about SWOT, they often focus on the market situation of the company (e.g. „raw materials are too expensive”). coaching and leadership development but you are the „product”.

Here, SWOT is not about numbers, but about on competences, emotional intelligence and human relations about.

• We are not looking at whether there is enough stock.
• We look at whether there is enough patience to conflicts.
• We are not looking at whether there is competition.
• We consider that the changing corporate culture whether it is a chance for promotion or a threat to your position.

3. The 4 quadrants of SWOT analysis in detail - with management glasses

Let's look at what to write in the four windows if you really want to improve!

Strengths - Your superpowers

These are the inner qualities that make you better than average.

• Example: You're great at motivating others, you can quickly see through complex problems or you have a wealth of professional experience.
• Question for you: What is the one thing your colleagues always come to you for help with?

Weaknesses - Your potential for improvement

Don't be afraid of that word! Everyone has them. It's not about feeling „lame about something”, it's about honesty.

• Example: You find it difficult to delegate (you want to do everything yourself), you have stage fright during presentations or you put off difficult conversations.
• Question for you: What is the one thing that has hindered you from achieving your goals in the last three times?

Opportunities - The open doors

These are external events that you can use to your advantage.

• Example: Your company is entering a new market where your language skills are needed. An internal mentoring programme is launched. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI), which can make your job easier.
• Question for you: What changes are taking place in your profession right now that if you get on top of them in time, you can be more successful?

Threats - Potholes in the road

External obstacles that can ruin your plans if you are not prepared for them.

• Example: The arrival of a new, more ambitious colleague. An economic crisis that could lead to layoffs. Near burnout from too much work.
• Question for you: What is the one external thing that, if it happens, could cause you sleepless nights?

4. How to prepare it? The „360 degree” method

Most articles get it wrong here: they say sit down and write it down. That's not enough. A leader often has blind spots - qualities that everyone sees in him but him.

The steps:

1. Self-reflection: Fill in the table yourself in a quiet hour.
2. External feedback: Ask 3 people (a supervisor, a peer and a subordinate) to give you 2 strengths and 2 weaknesses.
3. Comparison: See where there is a match. If everyone thinks you are micromanaging, but you have described yourself as a „good delegator”, then there is an important point for improvement!

5. The secret weapon: The TOWS Matrix (Turn knowledge into action!)

Most people just make a SWOT and put it in a drawer. A professional leadership development that's when it comes to TOWS matrix. This will help to ensure that the four lists are not just hanging in the air, but that they are a strategy.

Pair the quadrants!

6. Practical example: the case of Anna

Let's look at the example of a fictional but real-life manager, Anna, who leads a marketing team.

• Strengths: Creativity, deep professional knowledge.
• Weakness: Conflict avoidance (afraid to say no to your boss).
• Opportunity: The company is expanding, a new team needs to be built.
• Danger: His team is overstretched, and many are thinking of quitting.

Anna's Strategy (TOWS):

Because he sees the Threat (layoffs) and knows his Weakness (not saying no to extra work), his strategic move is to go for coaching, where he learns to communicate assertively. This will protect your team (Danger averted) and prepare you to build a new team (Opportunity).

7. Common mistakes to avoid!

If you're 16 or a novice driver, don't fall for these:

1. Too general list: You write things like „I'm good”. That's nothing. Write, „I can calm an angry customer in 15 minutes.”
2. Blame yourself: Weakness is not a sin. Don't beat yourself up, just register the fact.
3. The lack of action: If you have your SWOT ready, but the next day you are working the same way as before, you have wasted your time.

8. How can a coach help?

A SWOT analysis can often be painful if you do it alone. A coach:

• Holding a mirror: It helps you spot blind spots.
• He asks: It points out connections in the TOWS matrix that you wouldn't think of yourself.
• You can be charged: It will help you stick to the action plan you have drawn up based on the analysis.

Summary: SWOT is the foundation of your success

Leadership development is not a mystical thing, it is conscious work. A SWOT analysis helps you to take control of your career, not just drift with events. Remember: build on your strengths, address your weaknesses, seize opportunities and avoid threats.

Ready to do your own leadership SWOT analysis?

What next after the analysis?

Preparing a SWOT and TOWS matrix is a huge step towards conscious management, but experience shows that the hardest part is just coming: the implementation. It is often difficult to see ourselves objectively, and even more difficult to break through the inner barriers (weaknesses) that have been with us for years.

If you feel that your analysis has identified points that you would like to address in more depth, or you would like to validate your strategy with an external, professional observer, it is worth seeking professional help. A CoachBp.hu individual leadership development processes help you do just that: turn theoretical plans into tangible management results.

Remember: the best leaders are not those who don't have weaknesses, but those who know them well and know how to build a winning strategy around them.

MANAGEMENT SWOT & TOWS WORKBOOK

A guide to strategic self-awareness and conscious development

This workbook will help you not only to analyse your current situation, but also to draw up a concrete action plan for the future.

STEP 1: FILLING IN THE SWOT MATRIX

Write the points that apply to you in the four boxes below. Try to collect at least 3-5 items per field.

HOME FACTORS (applies to you)

EXTERNAL FACTORS (Relates to your environment)

STEP 2: CREATING THE TOWS STRATEGY

Now pair the above points together to form your strategy!

1. S-O Strategy (TAKE ACTION): Which is your strength you use it to strike a for more information?
   • Tervem: __________________________________________________________________________
2. W-O Strategy (DEVELOPMENT): How does a Option to correct a your weakness?
   • Tervem: __________________________________________________________________________
3. S-T Strategy (MOVE): Which is with your strength you can fend off the threats threats?
   • Tervem: __________________________________________________________________________
4. W-T Strategy (SURPLUS): What is your plan if the your weakness meet a at risk? How do you avoid trouble?
   • Tervem: __________________________________________________________________________

STEP 3: THE FIRST STEP (SMART TARGET)

Choose one specific action from the above that you have already this week you do it!

My first step: ____________________________________________________________

Határidő: ________________________

„This template is not just a piece of paper. It's a contract with yourself. If you get stuck filling it out or can't see your blind spots clearly, it's worth reviewing it with an expert coach.”

Frequently asked questions about the management SWOT analysis