Sanborn also suggests helping your team understand when they are overor under-utilizing a particular strength . For Sanborn , for example , he can tend to favor his analytical-based strengths .
“ I am an analytical person with a need for details , especially when I have to work on topics and areas where I am not familiar ,” he notes . “ My StrengthsFinder results reinforced this aspect , especially since I am typically thinking about how am I going to ‘ operationalize ’ a given solution . However , my Strengths- Finder also indicates that I am equally skilled with the other three categories , especially with regards to influence and relationship building . This was something that I did not expect . It also means I have to be very cautious to not over-utilize the strengths for which I am most comfortable .”
Leading with Strengths
Though the StrengthsFinder assessment is a proven way to uncover your strengths , there are everyday steps you can take to uncover your strengths more naturally as well . For instance , try asking yourself questions such as :
• When do I feel most confident throughout the day ?
• What types of work tasks inspire and delight me , versus cause great angst ?
• What types of tasks / responsibilities tug at my brain saying , “ Try me !”
• What passions do I have that I need to explore ?
The answers can provide insight into your dominant strengths . And , as Donald Clifton contended in his book , once you uncover your strengths , don ’ t spend another minute not playing to them in full :
“ To avoid your strengths and to focus on your weaknesses isn ’ t a sign of diligent humility . It is almost irresponsible . By contrast , the most responsible , the most challenging , and , in the sense of being true to yourself , the most honorable thing to do is face up to the strength potential inherent in your talents and then find ways to realize it .”
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“ To avoid your strengths and to focus on your weaknesses isn ’ t a sign of diligent humility . It is almost irresponsible . By contrast the most responsible , the most challenging , and , in the sense of being true to yourself , the most honorable thing to do is face up to the strength potential inherent in your talents and then find ways to realize it .”
– Donald Clifton , founder of strengths-based pyschology