Ep 31 Strengths: The Hidden Key to Extraordinary Performance

This episode explores why most leaders are unknowingly operating at only 70% of their potential and how aligning with your natural strengths can transform your leadership impact.

The Research on Strengths

The data from Marcus Buckingham, Don Clifton, and the Gallup Organization is compelling. People who use their strengths daily are three times more likely to report an excellent quality of life and six times more engaged at work. Teams focusing on strengths see 12.5% greater productivity and 8.1% more profitability.

What Are Strengths?

Strengths aren't just learned skills; they're the intersection of natural talents, knowledge, and developed abilities. The magic ingredient is that natural talent, making certain activities feel effortless while producing extraordinary results.

How to Identify Your Strengths

Three practical approaches for discovering your natural talents:

1. Feedback Patterns - What do people consistently come to you for? What do they say you're naturally good at?
2.  Energy vs. Drain - Pay attention to what energizes you versus what depletes you. Strengths give you energy when you use them.
3.  Peak Performance Moments - When have you achieved your best results? What were you doing and how were you approaching the problem?

Three Applications for Leaders

I share how to leverage strengths by leading yourself (structuring work around natural abilities), leading others (amplifying team members' strengths instead of fixing weaknesses), and shaping your environment through strengths partnerships and intentional role adjustments.

 Resources Mentioned:

1. The Six Types of Working Genius® Assessment ($25, immediately actionable)
2. Strengths Finder Assessment (comprehensive but complex)
3. Bring Your Strengths to Work: A Guide to Having a Strengths-Based Conversation with Your Manager
4. Research citations: Gallup State of the American Workplace, Marcus Buckingham strengths research