Who says?
It might be my extreme positivity (I have been measured and I am 98% optimist and 99% happy), but I choose to look at the world from a strengths-based lens, rather than a deficit.
‘Existing wisdom’ is that we need to concentrate on what we do poorly and work on how we get better at it. I have had many performance improvement discussions in my career, where they told me to focus on x, even if I am really crap at it. Baffling!
Thankfully, there is evidence that this will not generate high performance and frankly can lead people to believe there is something wrong with them. Different people have different talents and these talents will show up in different ways. If this was not the case we would not have different people performing different roles. People are successful using the talents and skills they innately have. That is why we have accountants and artists, boiler makers and ballet dancers, because we are not homogenous beings.
My experience with strengths is relatively new, but fits very well with my view of the world. The research and rigour applied by Cliftons/Gallup is an impressive way to evidence my world view.
Gallup/Clifton’s (who measure everything that moves) research shows that people who know and use their Clifton Strengths are:
more engaged at work
more productive in their roles
happier and healthier
However, my reason for loving it, is it helps people make sense of themselves in a way that allows them to apply their strengths regardless of their role. It helps you appreciate how and when you succeed and how to repeat the circumstances that will make that happen more often.
It has helped me create the Design your Life on Purpose program, using my top 5 strengths:
Positivity
My infectious enthusiasm, helps people unearth what is possible and then believe it is possible
Strategic
Helps me create different plans and approaches to get to the outcomes, and help them quickly decide what is going to work best for them
Futuristic
Helps paint a picture of what the future could be for them and helps me create a picture of what my future is
Ideation
Means I can quickly generate a bunch of ideas (quickly) that can help buffer against the roadblocks that can come up
Relator
Building deep enduring relationships means I can design an experience that is uplifting and unique, I am their partner in this for the long haul
The same strengths, in a very similar way show up in designing Incahoots, into a whole different business model. Where I will spend time working with teams to Strengthen their Strategy, applying their collective strengths on their yearly strategy. I work with the Managers to create a curated experience for the team.
So, what does this mean for you?
Knowing your strengths will mean you have a more effective at designing your life on purpose - think of it as Strengthening your Strategic Life Map.
Strength’s assessment and debrief (debrief – is essential to help understanding, connection and application) can fundamentally change the way you approach the dreams you have in place and will help you achieve them.
Ready to Go?
Book in for your free 30 min session to explore possibilities!
Wanna work with me - here is how?
Items just for you….
Book in for a free 30 mins possibilities exploration
Read more books - join the free Incahoots Business Book Club
Create a Strategic Life Map, moving you from directionless to purposeful in your career/life (Design Your Life on Purpose)
Unleash your uniqueness by knowing your Clifton strengths
Items for you and your team…
Book me as a Guest speaker
Work incahoots to design and deliver an outcome focused workshop
Strengthen your Strategy by aligning your team’s strengths to your strategy