I love StrengthsFinder. This tool facilitates the unleashing of individual and group potential. The 34 strengths can bring possibility and variety. In other cases, it explains the harmony and simplicity.
One of the rewards comes from realizing how the differences in the strengths can maximize the potential for your team or your company. What do I mean?
Well, imagine what would happen to your team if everyone understood what they do best. Take it one step further: Imagine if you or they could get paid for that. What if your reviews measured you based on what you’re gifted to do?
Example: Putting a Project Team Together
A team of five people gets a new project. There’s a lead (Dave), an assistant (Sherry) and three co-workers (Bill, Nancy and Alex). Normally, Dave plans and organizes, Sherry worries about all the details and the others divvy up the work evenly. The output is good, but not great.Now bring in strengths. Dave is great at assembling the team, starting things and motivating folks, but he's not a planner nor is he strategic. Bill is very strategic and likes to think things through. Nancy loves gathering data, learning about what needs to be done and getting things done. Alex wants to understand the facts, test the information and be responsible for his part of the job. Sherry likes to ensure that standard operating procedures are followed and that people are cared for.
What if the project was organized according to their strengths? Dave would bring the team together and cast vision. Then he would ask Nancy to gather the necessary information and learn all there is to know. He would ask Bill to evaluate the alternative approaches and recommend the best approach. He would let Alex work with Nancy to gather the facts and then let him set up metrics for the project. Sherry would establish the group, project and team rules, and make sure everyone has what they need for optimal performance.
This project would be off to a running start with everyone loving their part. What’s next for this team?
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