Last month I read Tom Rath’s book Strengths Finder 2.0. StrengthsFinder is the book that compliments The Gallup Organization’s online assessment of thirty-four themes or common human talents.
The premise is that every person has natural strengths or talents. Our strengths are our raw talents. If we each know our own individual strengths, then we can play to our strengths. Knowing, understanding, and using your strengths is what will give you the best chance to make the most difference. Doing so will create more personal satisfaction, happiness, and success in life.
On the flip side, the argument is presented that too often we focus on our weaknesses. We are always attempting to improve or fix faults. StrengthsFinder dismisses the maxim you can be anything you want if you just try hard enough. StrengthsFinder compares this with constantly swimming upstream. Strengths Finder 2.0 says on page 9, “You cannot be anything you want to be – but you can be a lot more of who you already are.”
I took the online assessment. Here are my top five strengths.
- Activator. People who are especially talented in the Activator theme can make things happen by turning thoughts into action. They are often impatient.
- Futuristic. People who are especially talented in the Futuristic theme are inspired by the future and what could be. They inspire others with their visions of the future.
- Strategic. People who are especially talented in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.
- Connectedness. People who are especially talented in the Connectedness theme have faith in the links between all things. They believe there are few coincidences and that almost every event has a reason.
- Responsibility. People who are especially talented in the Responsibility theme take psychological ownership of what they say they will do. They are committed to stable values such as honesty and loyalty.
In my next five posts, I’ll discuss each strength individually and tell you how I was mostly validated, sometimes surprised, and how I feel liberated and emboldened.
Do you know your own strengths?
Have you been giving your weaknesses undo attention?
Are you willing to start playing to your strengths?
Next Blog Title: Activator
Next Blog Date: January 24, 2013