When It comes to personal development, I've found its best to focus on your strengths. Every leader is unique with different skills, strengths, and passions. This is why leader's should focus on growing their personal strengths and ability's. An expert on strengths, Marcus Buckingham says, "You will grow the most in your areas of greatest strengths." Since this is true, we should focus on developing the areas we are strongest in. Doing this requires us to be intentional and disciplined in our growth. I have said it many times that the key to success is to find, develop, and use your strengths.
What are your strengths and how do you grow in them?
My strengths are writing, which I use blogging to help me grow in that and I'm going to school for it, and teaching, which I teach my youth weekly and challenge myself to take on new topics periodically. I am sure I have other strengths but those are the two I can think of right now.
ReplyDeleteMatthew,
ReplyDeleteI have seen that you are a great writer. your blog and posts are insightful and helpful. Thank you for sharing.
I feel sort of "self-promoting" in a weird sort of way with this Dan. I feel one of my best leadership skills is speaking, (now) writing, and empathy. i can inspire. I can encourage. But for straight-out, fall-off-the-bone leadership of taking charge, I have some deficiency. My personality is extrovert-ish but I can be hesitant in dragging people along. Does that make sense. I do like the idea though (contrary to what I had been taught) to shore up your strengths instead of strengthening your weaknesses. Good thought my friend.
ReplyDeleteValuable guidance Dan.
ReplyDeleteAt the organizational level there is growing interest and greater recognition of the value of strength-based approaches vs. deficit-based models.
Leaders and their people see a whole new world of possibilities when they converse about their strengths rather talking about the problems they can identify by focusing on what's missing.
For this reason. we advocate Appreciative Inquiry as an organizational process over the Gap Models we used to use. This is increasingly the trend in identifying and addressing appropriate organizational changes.
Bill,
ReplyDeleteThose area some great strengths. So your saying your strong in some areas while becoming better in others(or not as strong). Which we all have areas which shine more then others. Being a strong communicator is a great plus for you because you preach so often. My desire it to share with others that the key is focusing on your strengths more then weaknesses. Thanks for sharing.
Dr. Alan,
ReplyDeleteI believe the best organizations have people working in their strengths. Their are countless benefits in doing so.
Over the past few years I have seen the strength-based model become more popular. Which I think it will continue to do so.
Thank you for reading and commenting. I look forward to connecting with you more.