As not only a certified coach of Gallup Institute’s Clifton strengths method but also a huge fan of such an approach to human development today, I would like to present to you a short article focused on executing strengths. This article opens up a whole series about how you can engage your talents in the time of pandemics, and in remote work, it forces you to switch to.
Executing strengths – these are your natural gifts, which not only drive you to “make things happen” they also “make things happen SUCCESSFULLY.” It might be that in your case, these talents help you motivate others to achieve their goals or optimally employ available resources (such as time, energy, or materials). On the other hand, you might be able to set standards that allow reaching the goals that were set, or maybe you can predict potential hardships and prepare plans B, C… and Z, which are all established to save you from unexpected problems.
Even if you are yet to verify your strengths with Strengthfinder*, you can always check strengths described below, and if you do have some executive strengths, you are most likely a person that can be relied on, who always meets their goals on time.
You are most likely well accustomed to the fact that you act efficiently and that you generally manage to “make it” with everything you have planned. Unfortunately, with the enormous changes in how things currently work – working conditions and acting methods, for example – these are the talents and customs that can cause you some problems.
Below I will share with you some practical hints on how to effectively engage your talents so that they act as support for both you and the people around you.
Here we go…
#Achiever – you wake up in the morning, and you already KNOW what task are you going to complete and what you will achieve before the day ends. Remember, however, that you should also dedicate some time for relaxing and relationships. Ask others (coworkers or people you live with) how they are doing. Adjust the pace at which you complete tasks to those who work with you – not all can keep up with your furious pace. It would help if you concentrated on motivating others to do their best, rather than be upset that they can’t keep up.
#Arranger – you are probably accustomed to the fact that you simply know how to reach your goal – which approach or method will prove the most effective, etc.. Verify and consult your plan with your coworkers. Always make sure that what you have planned is acceptable for everyone – even if they agree with it and have nothing to change, they will feel more included, engaged, and motivated. Most people don’t like being told what to do – especially if you’re right.
#Belief – Bear in mind that everything changed and forced remote work influences both you and your productivity – be kind to yourself. Find time for reflection and assessing how you are doing. Accept that your productivity will fluctuate – one day, you will achieve even more than usual, and the very next day, you will wonder how you can be so tired without completing at least one primary goal.
#Consistency – on the day to day basis, it is crucial for you to make sure that rules ensuring that everyone in the team is being treated equally are followed. You strive to keep balance and proper task and responsibility, division. In the time of rapid change, your predispositions can be invaluable while determining new arrangements. You can help yourself and others to create consistent standards for future well-balanced cooperation. Make sure that you engage in meetings where such rules and standards are set, and that your voice can be heard when you explain bases for proposed changes.
#Deliberative – You are probably accustomed to the fact that you always seek the safest possible option and do not spring into action unless you are sure that the direction you choose is the best one there is. Now that you are separated from your coworkers, it can be more difficult for them to notice your input, since the time you spent thinking and analyzing is from their perspective a “black hole” of sorts when you are just absent. Devote some extra time to inform them about what you’re working on or which options you are considering – you can make short updates at your usual status meetings. Others must know what you are working on, as it gives them an extra sense of security.
#Discipline – beware if you are accustomed to the fact that your usual working methods work since you spent so much time developing and perfecting them. The world has flipped upside down, and you will likely have to develop some new habits. Be kind to yourself – verify what works for you and what doesn’t. Don’t lapse into frustration. Make sure that you separate your work time and your private time. It might be the case that you won’t be able to complete all the tasks which you usually would. What you can do for others – inspire them with your new, effective routines.
#Focus – if up until this moment you were always the one to make out what’s irrelevant from what is useful, now is the time for you to act. You can support your team, your boss, and all of your coworkers in concentrating on what’s the most important. Help people understand how their input adds up to reaching goals. If it’s possible – help them make out their priorities. Remember that what for you is very simple can be extremely hard for others, and you can make a real difference in their lives by helping them to separate what’s just an activity and not a valid action.
#Responsibility – If you are the person within your team that can always be relied on, you should be extra careful with your willingness to take responsibility for everything (or almost everything). It might be an extraordinary hint for you to – during online meetings – hold your “mute” key until everyone else voices their mind and declare readiness to take responsibility for elements of your project. Try to make yourself not the first person to volunteer.
#Restorative – If you are the person to usually notice even tiny things that do not work correctly and tend to nitpick, then you probably have predispositions to suggest what and how it should be improved. Make sure that your suggestions are known to come from a place of good faith. You might also try to be less generous while giving advice – wait for an invitation to comment, as only a ready listener will be able to appreciate your support fully. Watch out for improvements you make in your daily functioning – you strive for optimization that might take up all your energy, and you might be left not able to appreciate your ow improvements fully.
With that, we have executing strengths covered – if you liked this article, please make sure to share it, and if it caused some thoughts or you have your own experience to share, don’t forget to comment.
And if you haven’t yet verified your talents with strengthfinder or you would like to know more, on how to employ your natural talents effectively, please contact me via email on aleksandra@jopyk.com
Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash