Are You Playing To Your Strengths?

29 posted on October 29, 2008
POSTED IN: Leadership, Makes You Think

Do you have the opportunity to do what you do best every day? Chances are you don’t. From the time we’re young we’re told to focus on fixing our weaknesses.

The Path of Most Resistance
As kids, when we came home with a report card that was all A’s and B’s with one D which did we spend the most time on? Right, we tried to fix that D so that we could be a good, “well-rounded” student.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that we just ignore our areas of weakness or tell our children that it’s ok to fail classes they’re not good at. The problem arises when we spend so much time working on fixing our shortcomings that we neglect to invest time into improving our strengths.

Overcoming deficits is an essential part of the fabric of our culture. Our books, movies and folklore are filled with stories of the underdog who beats one-in-a-million odds. And this leads us to celebrate those who triumph over their lack of natural ability even more than we recognize those who capitalize on their innate talents.

Tom Rath, Strengths Finder 2.0

Climb Every Mountain
Have you ever been told by a well-meaning parent or teacher, You can be anything you want to be as long as you try hard enough! This flawed maxim of personal development may sound good but is usually a recipe for frustration and discouragement.

No matter how hard I try or how much I practice I’ll probably never be much of a singer because I just wasn’t blessed with a singing voice. I can set my mind to becoming the best CPA but let me tell you, you definitely wouldn’t want me preparing your tax return (I suck at numbers).

Here’s a simple formula from Strengths Finder 2.0 to illustrate:

So in my case, let’s say on a scale of 1 to 5 that I am a 2 when it comes to my singing ability (I’m sure if you heard me you may choose a negative number but that’s beside the point). Even if I score a perfect 5 for investment (the time spent practicing and building my knowledge and skills) the most I’ll I can ever hope to attain in this area is a 10 (5 x 2).

The inverse is also true. When I place the maximum investment into the areas in which I have the most natural talent and ability, the results are far greater.

Be A Better Version of Who You Already Are
The idea that we can create perfectly well-rounded individuals in our schools and universities is a myth. There is no such thing as a perfectly balanced individual. We’re all going to have areas where we excel and areas where we fall short.

The truth of the matter is this: you cannot be anything you want to be – but you can be a lot more of who you already are.

So let’s turn this into a practical discussion.

What Are Your Strengths?
List your top 3 strengths. There’s a time and place for modesty but this isn’t it. I want you to list your natural talents and abilities, the things that make you come alive.

What are your top 3 strengths?

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 at 7:35 am and is filed under Leadership, Makes You Think. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

28 Comments

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  1. Visit My Website

    October 29, 2008

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    1 patrowland said:

    Vision Casting, Inspiring volunteers, & Developing leaders. It is always a struggle to focus on these a majority of the time.

    patrowlands last blog post..Taking a Break



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    October 29, 2008

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    2 Sean said:

    Thanks Brad, a much needed reminder that I am exhausted every day because I am not playing to ANY of my strengths…

    Understanding the other person’s point of view, communication, creativity…



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    October 29, 2008

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    3 Jared Woodard said:

    Creativity,Deligation,Changing Things On The Fly.

    Jared Woodards last blog post..Holy Crap Im Gonna Be A Dad!! PT:1



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    October 29, 2008

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    4 Brad Ruggles said:

    @Pat – It is hard to spend the majority of your time doing the things you do best. I think it just takes time and discipline to find balance.

    @Sean – You hit the nail on the head. When we don’t play to our strengths it will drain us – physically, mentally and emotionally.

    @Jared – Changing things on the fly…great strength to have! Probably gets on the nerves of all the Type A personalities who like to have order and structure, huh?



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    October 29, 2008

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    5 klampert said:

    vision, inpiration, design, music



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    6 mandythompson said:

    Creativity
    Creativity
    Creativity

    mandythompsons last blog post..Do you believe?



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    7 klampert said:

    ha ha I gave you four…add moron to my list then. lol



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    8 Scott Fillmer said:

    I think a better question for me would be “Do you have the opportunity to do what you do best every day?” but I guess that is the same thing. Lately I have been able to do what I do best, now to just figure out how to feed the family while doing it :)

    1. photography
    2. internet/blog/web/music (ahhh, ok, that’s more than one)
    3. serve



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    October 29, 2008

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    9 Brad Ruggles said:

    You’re right, doing what we love can be fun but doesn’t always pay the bills. Not all of us have the luxury of living 24-7 out of our strengths.

    I think the key is looking at the big picture. What is it that makes you a good photographer, creative person, musician, etc.?

    I took the Strengths Finder test and found some interesting results that help me apply my strengths to everyday tasks.



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    October 29, 2008

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    10 Jennifer Schuchmann said:

    An excellent group study on this concept is Marcus Buckingham’s Trombone Player Wanted. http://www.tromboneplayerwanted.com/

    I led it in my Breakfast and a Movie Sunday School class at a Baptist church but because it’s not expressively Christian it could easily be done in a secular work environment. Combined with the Strength’s Finder Test your group would have a common language and understanding as well as an increased desire as a group to help everyone work toward using their strengths all the time.



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    October 29, 2008

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    11 Brad Ruggles said:

    @Jennifer – Oh yes! For some reason I had forgotten all about that! That is a phenomenal resource that beautifully illustrates the importance of living out of our strengths. I would strongly encourage everyone to check it out at http://www.tromboneplayerwanted.com



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    12 Bunk said:

    Communicating, Vision, Building Relationships, Writing

    Great post Brad. The more I drop in to catch your blog, the more impressed I am .



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    13 Brandee said:

    My strengths… Compassion, Determination and my ability to Love.

    I know who I am and I know I am not perfect and every day is a challenge to be a better version of me. Some days are harder than others. Some days I don’t like myself very much and others, I can’t get enough of me.

    The hardest thing sometimes though, is understanding WHY I fail at certain things in my life. Do you think understanding my strengths better and how and when to fully use them will minimize the need for “roadside assistance”, if you will?

    Hmmm…

    And Brad, I’ve been reading this here blog of yours for a while. How do I get my smiley mug to show up?

    Thanks for giving me something to think about today.



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    October 29, 2008

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    14 Ric said:

    Hey Brad,

    This is my 1st comment over here I think. I am a subscriber/lurker type. Maybe that one o’ my strengths? Great post. So true.

    Top 3 strengths? hmmm…
    analytical, empathetic, written/spoken word



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    15 Adam said:

    Why am I have a hard time coming up with 3 strengths.. whats wrong with me?!?!?

    1. A good caregiver
    2. Music (singing)
    3. …total blank….



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    October 29, 2008

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    16 Linny Best said:

    …caring for others, especially children/babies and orphans…organization…listening…

    Linny Bests last blog post..7-0 BABY!



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    October 29, 2008

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    17 jud said:

    What does the Bible say about our strengths? AND, what does it say about our weakness (Paul comes to mind). Do we buy new age mumbo jumbo about self-esteem and “finding balance” or do we look to Jesus in our weakness. Did God us Moses for his strength or because his total dependance would bring Glory to God?

    My strength = My Glory

    My weakness = Christ Exhalted



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    October 29, 2008

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    18 Brad Ruggles said:

    @Jud – (I can’t believe I’m actually saying this) You actually raise a good point. There is a balance between relying to heavily on our own strengths instead of trusting in God.

    Zechariah 4:6 reminds us that it is not by our might or abilities that battles are won but through the Lord’s spirit at work in us.

    However, there is also a very real scriptural principle of applying the strengths and gifts that God gave us. In 2 Tim.1:6 Paul tells Timothy to “stir up the gifts that are within you.” We’re also told in Romans 12:6 that we’re each given different gifts to build each other up.

    So yes, we shouldn’t RELY on our abilities alone and try to go through life in our own strength. But we should also realize that God gave each of us giftings and abilities for a reason.



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    19 Michael said:

    Hey Brad,

    Just wandered upon your site. Love it. Appreciate you!

    I always find this to be such a hard topic to address. God did create us differently, and He equips us for what He has called us to do. Then… there is Jud’s point, it isn’t just about what I do. It is also about God’s glory. Then… there is communal aspect of how we live out our lives. I believe that the Lord told me this last week, “I didn’t call you to be passionate, but compassionate.” Not that there is anything wrong with be passionate, but MY passions can lead me astray. Compassion is “others driven” and not “self driven.” I am fully capable of use MY strengths, and missing others entirely.

    It all really comes down to the choices that we make day to day. Discernment can be hard. Walking by the Spirit (Gal 5:25) seems to be my launching point for choices these days.

    Sorry, I’m preaching now. :)

    As for my strengths:

    1) Relationships – Building and Growing
    2) Equipping
    3) Vision Casting



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    20 Rachel said:

    Compassion.
    Creativity.
    Encourager.

    I think. Not completely sure… This is a good post… kinda ties into what we’re studying at CrossPoint right now…

    Rachels last blog post..I woke up with hope.



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    October 29, 2008

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    21 Dale Best said:

    I echo Jennifer’s statement! Marcus Cunningham’s Trombone Player Wanter is brilliant stuff … the music is kinda annoying. But the content is top notch!

    Dale Bests last blog post..Why I’m Voting For Obama – Part 1



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    October 29, 2008

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    22 Cherith said:

    Ok.. just three? lets see

    1.) singing/ dancing (hey they go hand in hand…sometimes)
    2.) Leading or Teaching
    3.) Being a friend

    These are the first things that come to mind. Not only do I enjoy these things, but I think these are things are something people see in me as well. Good post brad.. as always. I think I will also list my “weaknesses”

    1.) Following
    2.) NOT having an opinion
    3.) gossiping

    following because I am a teacher at heart and it’s my job. I have a problem with it when the roles are flipped. And I always have an opinion (spoken or not). And yes, being a girl I talk to much about negative things that need to be kept to myself.

    this will probable keep me in check for awhile… lol

    Cheriths last blog post..Cookies!!



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    23 Chad said:

    Hmmm…top 3 strengths. It’s so hard to think about what you are good at. We all can easily point out what we’re not good at. I would have to say my top 3 are:

    Music-Playing Instruments only, Singing is the inverse
    Openminded
    Listener



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    October 30, 2008

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    24 Rachel said:

    1. music
    2. creativity
    3. relationships

    AWESOME post! I love this. thank you.

    Rachels last blog post..Attitude Check



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    October 30, 2008

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    25 Brad Ruggles said:

    Wow, you guys had some awesome input on this topic and some amazing strengths! I’m sure we’ll come back to this topic again soon in a future post.



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    October 30, 2008

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    26 tam said:

    encourager
    writer (so im told)
    funny maker

    what?

    tams last blog post..say hello to my little….SIS!



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    27 bims said:

    .) When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!



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    July 4, 2011

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    28 granit küp taş said:

    .) Hello! I just would like to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.



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