My Strengths Quest

It was five or so years ago when I was first introduced to Now, Discover Your Strengths by Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D., and Marcus Buckingham. I was working at WellPoint Health Networks and was lucky enough to be in an OD department with some wonderful folks. Two of them, Lisa and Mari, were delving into the strengths work and allowed me to tag along.

Lisa had been working with her executive clients in the organization to bring the StrengthsFinder instrument into their teams. Mari was spearheading a team (which was me) to develop and administer an enterprise-wide Management Development Program, and we worked together to create a course based on the StrengthsFinder instrument for the program curriculum.

I took the instrument and read the book…and was hooked! The concept rang true in my soul! For years I had been fed the corporate line that I should strive to become a “well-rounded professional” and all the while it felt…wrong. Finally, now, I knew I had validation that I wasn’t “off” or less than I should be - I was ME and it was RIGHT!

As I continued my work with Lisa and Mari, I felt my confidence grow and I became more comfortable in my skin. I was able to apply the strengths focus to my instructor certifications as well. Although many people claim to crave “constructive” feedback, I truly believe more growth and behavior change occur as a result of positive feedback. Of course, I also offered “ideas for next time.” Focusing on strengths does not mean ignoring the weaknesses. What it did for me was remove the feeling that I HAD to become better at things that were fundamentally not part of me. So, as Marcus Buckingham suggests, I manage around my weaknesses using various tactics. One that works for me is to find a partner who loves what I loathe. My work with Mari was a perfect example - I’m not strong in the marketing aspects of a project, and she is a natural so she took care of that while I worked on the processes. Perfect parntership!

Another profound learning for me is that a strength is not only something you have a natural affinity for but is something that leaves you feeling strong. I am good at math and can do it but it leaves me feeling totally drained - which explains the reason I wait and wait and wait to balance my checkbook. Sadly, this is not a strength for my husband either, so I take on the task out of sheer necessity.

What rings true for you in the Strengths Movement? I’d love to hear from you!

Viva La Revolution!

If you’ve read any of my postings on ASTD BlogCascadia, you may know that I’m a Strengths Zealot. That means I subscribe to the belief that it is more productive to focus growth and development on maximizing one’s talents than on improving one’s weaknesses. This movement was begun years ago by Donald O. Clifton of the Gallup Organization. He spearheaded Gallup’s strengths movement and partnered up with Marcus Buckingham to write Now, Discover Your Strengths, a book that has had a profound impact on my life. After reading it, I felt like I was no longer the odd one out for having rebelled against being told to become a “well-rounded” professional. That always felt wrong and now I was free from the feeling that I had to conform!

I have taken the Clifton StrengthsFinder instrument several times, and each time three of my top five have remained constant: Communication, Positivity, and Responsibility. They speak so strongly to the person I see when I look in the mirror. The great thing about this instrument is that it reflects what I feel I am strong in - and, as our friend Bob Pike says, “People don’t argue with their own data.”

Next time, I’ll share a bit about how specifically the Strengths Revolution has improved my life. In the meantime, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Shari