Understanding Character Flaw vs. Design Flaw: A Path to Personal and Professional Growth
In my journey as an orthodontist and educator, I’ve encountered countless concepts that shape how we approach life and work. One of the most impactful ideas I've encountered recently comes from a book by Brian Johnson called Arete. In one part of the book Johnson explores an interesting distinction between a Character Flaw and a Design Flaw, which I believe holds valuable lessons for anyone, especially those of us striving to evolve in our careers and personal lives.
Character Flaw vs. Design Flaw: What's the Difference?
At first glance, the two terms might seem interchangeable, but they are profoundly different. Understanding this distinction can make all the difference when it comes to how we view ourselves and others.
Character Flaw: This is when an individual’s personal qualities, habits, or moral compass are deficient. It’s about integrity, discipline, and the choices we make. A character flaw often suggests that the person has the power to improve but chooses not to. For example, consistently being late to work because of a lack of responsibility is a character flaw.
Design Flaw: On the other hand, a design flaw refers to an issue with the system, structure, or environment in which we operate. It’s not about individual behavior, but rather about the circumstances or tools that set someone up for failure. If someone is late to work because public transportation is unreliable, that’s a design flaw in the system.
The Magic You are Looking for is in the Work you are Avoiding
This brings me to a powerful quote by Chris Williamson host of the Modern Wisdom podcast: “The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.” Too often, when we experience friction in our work or lives, we instinctively avoid what feels uncomfortable. But what if those very things we’re avoiding hold the key to our growth?
Think about how this applies to character flaws. When we avoid facing them, they persist, often holding us back from reaching our full potential. It's uncomfortable to admit when we're procrastinating or not showing up as our best selves, but the beauty lies in confronting those flaws head-on. It’s through the struggle of addressing them that we truly evolve.
Similarly, design flaws are easy to overlook because they require us to challenge systems that feel familiar, even when they’re inefficient. We avoid the hard work of redesigning broken processes because it demands time, effort, and discomfort. But in facing the “stuff we’re avoiding” — whether it’s a flaw in ourselves or in our systems — we open the door to a more seamless and successful practice.
How Does This Apply to Us as Orthodontists?
In my own practice, I’ve realized how crucial it is to identify whether a problem is rooted in character or design. Take, for example, an issue with patient compliance. If a patient consistently doesn’t wear their aligners, we could immediately jump to the conclusion that it’s a character flaw — maybe they’re lazy, forgetful, or unmotivated. However, upon deeper reflection, we might discover it’s actually a design flaw in how we’ve structured our follow-ups or explained the importance of their role in the process.
Similarly, in our offices, are staff members underperforming because they lack commitment (a character flaw)? Or are our workflows and systems not designed to set them up for success (a design flaw)? As a leader, it’s my responsibility to ask these questions and create an environment where both my team and my patients can thrive.
Owning Your Flaws to Evolve
In Arete, the Brian Johnson emphasizes that recognizing the difference between these two types of flaws is key to growth. A character flaw demands self-awareness and the courage to change. A design flaw, on the other hand, requires us to redesign our systems, workflows, or habits to eliminate obstacles that hinder success.
This process isn’t easy. It often involves confronting the very things we’d rather avoid — whether that’s acknowledging personal shortcomings or rebuilding flawed systems. But, as Chris Williamson reminds us, that is where the “magic” resides. By leaning into these discomforts, we create opportunities for growth and excellence.
Take Action: Reflect and Redesign
So how can we use this distinction in our daily practice?
Reflect on Personal Behavior: Are there areas in your professional or personal life where you're falling short because of a character flaw? Is it procrastination, lack of communication, or avoiding difficult decisions? Own it and make a plan to improve.
Evaluate Your Systems: Are there recurring problems in your practice that may be the result of a design flaw? Perhaps case acceptance rate is below last years, or staff members struggle with specific tasks. Instead of assigning blame, look at whether the system is faulty and needs redesigning.
Embrace the Uncomfortable: As Williamson suggests, look at the aspects of your practice or life that you’ve been avoiding. Whether it’s a tough conversation with a team member or a redesign of a process that no longer works, leaning into these challenges is where the real transformation happens.
Conclusion: Evolving Through Arete
The pursuit of excellence — arete — is a lifelong journey. By learning to differentiate between character flaws and design flaws, we can take ownership of our personal growth while also building better systems that elevate our professional lives. This clarity not only benefits us as practitioners but also improves the experiences of those we serve.
The question isn’t whether we have flaws — we all do. The real question is, how will we respond once we identify them? And more importantly, are we willing to face the things we’ve been avoiding, knowing that the beauty and growth we seek often lie right there?
