Last week I suggested that a sweeping strengths movement larger than we've ever seen could be coming. I defined strengths as, “your best means of contribution and contentment,” and wrote that few us have really tapped into the talents, traits, skills, knowledge, values, and more that are within us. And I commended us to seek humility as we seek our strengths.
We’re in the midst of an unprecedented strengths movement. Folks are eager to discover their areas of strength, and what’s more, they’re expecting to use their strengths every day. There are more laborers than ever before focused on helping others to use their strengths. And what’s more, technology around strengths is burgeoning.
The CliftonStrengths Summit has come and gone (sad) and we’ll have to wait for June 2019 for the next one. Since it was a strengths summit, I would be remiss if I didn’t reflect on how I used my strengths at the event itself.
The CliftonStrengths Summit is almost upon us. This will be my third one, and it’s always a bit magical for me, starting with stellar keynote sessions, awesome breakout sessions, plenty of networking opportunities, and memorable closing sessions.
Sometimes when my family is getting ready for the day, I’m told to “dial it down.” Not all of them appreciate my happy dance while they’re eating their oatmeal. At 6:30 AM, they don’t all share my enthusiasm for all the exciting things that could happen that day. For them, getting out the door on time is enough. That’s alright, dialing it down is fun, too.
There’s always a war going on between our weaknesses and strengths. If you’re a business owner, there’s also a war between working IN your business and working ON your business.
If you want to build a strengths-based culture in your organization, it won’t happen overnight. Sure, you may want your coworkers to take hold of strengths instantly to receive the tremendous benefits of focusing on strengths like: increased productivity, retention, job satisfaction, positive interactions with coworkers, and so forth.
Job descriptions aren't designed for you. Have you ever thought about that? They're designed in a generic manner to attract a diverse pool of candidates. If companies made the list of requirements and job tasks too specific, they may not get any candidates at all. It's a really smart strategy...until the candidate starts the job.
Two years ago I was searching for more fulfillment at work. I had been in sales and marketing for 13 years, and though the company was successful, something was missing. I felt if I kept doing the same thing for much longer, I would look back with regret.
A few months ago, I had a speaking engagement. For whatever reason, I felt anxious and unqualified, so I clung to my manuscript. The result was a tense, robotic delivery. I didn’t even want to be there, and I was the one speaking!