by Rick Baker
On Nov 16, 2012
We have revised our formula for personal strengths.
Up until recently, we have used the Gallup/StrengthsFinder definition of Strengths. We have taught the following formula:
Talent
+ Knowledge
+ Skills
= STRENGTHS
There is no question, this Gallup/StrengthsFinder description of Strengths is accurate, valid, and very helpful. We have seen 100's of people put it to good use.
When we modified it as follows, we found it was easier to understand:
Natural Talent
+ Specialized Knowledge
+ Practised Skills
= STRENGTHS
These word additions helped people understand:
- Everyone possesses talents. Talent is part of the human condition. We are born with talent. Some of the things we do will naturally align with our talents. Some of the things we do will cut across the grain for our talents.
- Knowledge alone is not enough. When it comes to work, the knowledge must be specialized, related to the work role.
- Skills are not natural...skills don't just happen. They have to be learned; they have to be 'made and formed'; they have to be practised. Skills are Good Habits.
Now, we have made a major improvement to our definition of STRENGTHS:
Natural Talent
+ Opportunities
+ Specialized Knowledge
+ Practised Skills
= STRENGTHS
We thank Malcolm Gladwell for being so clear and persistent in his book, 'Outliers'. A few years ago I met Malcolm Gladwell and listened to him talk about 'Outliers'. While I bought a hard copy of the book some time ago and I understood his message and its importance, I did not grasp the full significance until I listened to the audio version of the book recently. In particular, (1) my thinking about Strengths and their application at work has changed and (2) my thinking about the Leader's role has become more textured.
I reached the following conclusions:
- Spirited Leaders must include ''Opportunities" in their definition of Strengths.
- Spirited Leaders have the ability to create and influence 'Opportunities' for others.
- In the past we have said, "Business Only Contains 3 Things: People, Process, & Situations" and we have said it is the Leader's responsibility to anticipate Situations and to pave the path for Situations. Now, we have specifically identified 'Opportunities' as a subset of 'Situations'...a very-desirable subset.
Leaders must deliver Opportunities to followers.
PS: Malcolm Gladwell is one of my heroes. I had the honour of chatting with him and having my picture taken with him in 2008.
