I bought into the marketing of two popular books, but after a few years of life experience, searching out that ideal I’ve realized something…
Strengths Finder is a real popular book. Maybe you’ve read it and done the test. I’ve got friends that are super PASSIONATE about this book. I’ve done the test, I did it a while back though, I’ll write a post on Friday to let you know what my top strengths are and other aspects of my “personality.”
I think Strengths Finder is a valuable tool. When I first got introduced to these personality tests, the friend that introduced me to them told me they were so validating. And it’s true, it’s strange to read a personality profile and realize that you think and act just like they are describing. Sometimes it even brings clarity on why you do what you do.
Anyway, the premise of Strengths Finder is to really focus your time on your strengths instead of trying to be a well rounded person. When I read that as a young twenty something, I thought that made a lot of sense.
Here’s what wikipedia has to say.
The theory behind the book is that each adult individual possesses a certain number of fixed universal personal-character attributes, defined by the authors as “Personal Themes” which in combination effect the individuals tendency to develop certain skills more easily and excel in certain fields while failing in others.
The authors claim that by identifying the individual strength of the members of the organization, its members can be utilized in more suiting positions, hence developing the required skills easily, helping to reduce turnover, improve employee morale and the organization’s overall performance.
Here’s what I’m realizing.
Your strengths, will impress people. But your weaknesses will wound them.
Just the other night, someone I know got an e-mail from a mutual friend, and it was very pastoral. The person who sent the e-mail is an evangelist and a teacher, not a pastor. But I was so impressed that this person took the time to check up on someone in a caring pastoral way. I know that, that person has had to consciously WORK at being more pastoral in his years of ministry.
Often times in charismatic Christianity (does it happen in non charismatic Christianity too?) we excuse peoples poor behavior because “well, they just aren’t pastoral” or excuse their lack of organization because “well, they just aren’t administrative.”
I’ll say it again. If you’re leading people, you will impress them with your strengths and you will wound them with your weaknesses.
I don’t know why but if you’re leading something, anything. People are going to have unrealistic expectations on you. They are looking up to you, you’ve been placed on a pedestal. (Cue the Dido and Eminem song)
Has this ever happened to you? You’re at a conference listening to someone speak and you’re captivated by their message, and their passion and their presentation. And then you go to talk with them afterward, and it’s almost like it was a different person on stage. You’re let down, disappointed.
I pastored at a church for a year. Because I’m an introvert Sunday mornings made me anxious. There were Sundays where I would stay in my office for as long as I could. I hated the mingle time, but there was an expectation that I, as a pastor, would be outgoing. People wanted to talk to me. Being outgoing makes people feel valued and comfortable. Hiding in my office makes people feel like I don’t care. It’s not that I didn’t care, I would have just, much rather met with them one-on-one over a cup of coffee.
I’ve come a long way since then. I still don’t feel super comfortable in those situations, but I’ve realized the value of greeting people, and small talk. And it’s something that I’ve worked on. I was pretty excited recently when someone thought I was an extrovert.
The other book is Linchpin by Seth Godin which I didn’t actually finish. The subtitle of the book is “are you indispensable.”
Here’s the first paragraph from the Amazon description.
There used to be two teams in every workplace: management and labor. Now there’s a third team, the linchpins. These people invent, lead (regardless of title), connect others, make things happen, and create order out of chaos. They figure out what to do when there’s no rule book. They delight and challenge their customers and peers. They love their work, pour their best selves into it, and turn each day into a kind of art.
The problem here with strengths finder and linchpin is this reality… Most organizations are too busy putting out fires, swimming with their heads barely above water, so they don’t have the time to leverage their employees strengths, and leverage those linchpins.
I’d like to see a company or organization that is really doing this well.
So what do you think?
Engage: Did you do Strengths Finder? What are your top 5? Do you think its important to work on your weaknesses? Do you know a company that is really leveraging its employees strengths Let us know in the comments!
by Jim Baker
Our prayers for both of you and a special one for Jess to have successful surgery and a quick and speedy recovery. Love you both. Grandpa and Grandma N
thanks grandma!