Strengths Finder 2.0

I've already done several things on this journey of self-discovery, but the thing I think I've found the most valuable has been an exercise called Strengths Finder 2.0. This analysis model is based on more than 50 years of human observation by Gallup scientists and the premise is this:

• If you're in a job that plays to your strengths, you're far, far more likely to be good at it and to enjoy it.
• So, the first thing you need to do is identify those strengths.

Unfortunately, we don't live in a culture where this is encouraged. In fact, America, in particular, has developed a nasty habit of focusing weakness-fixing rather than strength-optimizing and I'm just as guilty of this as anyone. How many performance reviews tell you what you need to improve rather than what you've done well (and what you should continue to do)? How many annual reviews have I done like that? Too many.

Strengths Finder's fundamental underlying premise is that you can work on fixing your weaknesses if you want to, but that's not the best use of your time. Better to take your strengths as a given and align your life to those.

Over the years,  Gallup has created a taxonomy of 34 strengths. Or, rather, talents. These are fundamental skills that people possess to varying degrees. Gallup makes a point of saying you can invest energy in these talents or not. If you do so, it becomes a strength.

How it works is this:

1. Get a copy of the book Strengths Finder 2.0[1][2]
2. It includes a code for one person to use the online test at strengthsfinder.com
3. Take the test. It's 177 questions where you answer on a 5-point agree-disagree scale. It takes about 30 minutes. Note that you get less than a minute to decide. They don't want you to think about the answers too much. Go with your gut.
4. You get an instant analysis of your Top 5 talents that includes pretty detailed descriptions along with action plans to improve or leverage these talents. They also provide a description of how to work with someone who has a specific talent.

Here are my top 5 talents:

1. 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.
2. Relator. People who are especially talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal.
3. Intellection. People who are especially talented in the Intellection theme are characterized by their intellectual activity. They are introspective and appreciate intellectual discussions.
4. Achiever. People who are especially talented in the Achiever theme have a great deal of stamina and work hard. They take great satisfaction from being busy and productive.
5. Focus.  People who are especially talented in the Focus theme can take a direction, follow through, and make the corrections necessary to stay on track. They prioritize, then act.

Now this isn't spectacularly insightful when it comes to telling me where I should look for my next hat. But it does give me some guidelines for evaluating those hats. For example, one of the pieces of advice from the Relator theme is this one:

• Find a workplace where friendships are encouraged. You will not do well in an overly formal organization. In job interviews, ask about work styles and company culture.

As I look back over these blog entries, I am amazed at what resources exist to help you understand yourself and navigate your world better. They've been there all the time -- I just never took the time to look. It's like I've been stumbling through my career, wandering through doors simply because there was no wall there to smack me in the face.

[1] Physical or electronic. With the electronic versions you'll be emailed a code for the web site.

[2] I wanted the physical book so I could share it. Borders wanted $24.95 for a copy while Amazon asked only $11.99. Small wonder that one of these is in bankruptcy proceedings.