Last week I watched a short video clip by Marcus Buckingham, owner of Simply Strengths. He has interviewed hundreds of people about their personal strengths. He talked about the myths we believe about how we think we are supposed to build our strengths.
Here they are the myths:
Myth 1: As you grow, the core of who you are changes including your strengths and weakness.
Truth: As you grow, you become more of who you already are.
Myth 2: You're going to grow the most if you focus on your areas of weakness.
Truth: You won't learn a whole lot by focusing on your weaknesses. Instead, you will grow the most in your areas of strength. You will see “giant leaps of learning.”
Myth 3: A great team member should chip in and do whatever the team needs even if the member isn't skilled at that activity.
Truth: To be a great team member, you contribute most to the team when you offer up your strengths, and your team gives you permission to do so.
Marcus also clearly articulated how to identify your strengths:
- There is a “yearning” quality to them. They are just dying to get out of you. Almost like you can't help yourself.
- You are naturally inquisitive about aspects of your strengths. You gravitate toward people, books, classes, seminars which help build your strengths.
- When you are operating in your strengths, you feel energized and fulfilled. In Buckingham's words, you feel “kind of magnificent” after using your strengths. Using you strengths literally “left you feeling strong.”
If you'd like to learn more, visit Marcus Buckingham's website. He has written some fabulous books on this subject. You can also take a test to help you discover which of the 34 strengths fit you best.
Have a great weekend.
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