You’re Stronger Than You Know

Here’s a bit of good news. Are you a worrier? Forget that. You actually have a talent to “Strategically” see what can go wrong. What? You never worry? In fact, you’re so in-the-moment you can’t remember to pick up your dry cleaning? No problem. You have “Adaptability.”

That pack rat urge to collect all kinds of stuff, even obscure information? You have the gift of “Input.” Stuck with a mind that never stops thinking, even keeps you up at night? You have the talent of “Intellection.” That’s right, those annoying character “weaknesses” are actually your greatest strengths. You have a lot more, too.

Here’s even better news. Find a way to actually use those former-weaknesses-now-strengths, and you’ll be among the most financially, emotionally, and psychically successful people. This comes from a mind-stretching book called Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton.

Did you get the message in school (or at home) that you needed to take a bunch of courses you had no interest in to become a well-rounded person? Okay, sure, everyone needs to know the basics. How else are you going to find out what makes you salivate? But I can’t see how it’s all that necessary to force a future artist to take Algebra II.

On the surface, this may seem obvious, but it’s actually been drummed out of most of us by the educational system. The authors maintain that education in almost all countries is overwhelmingly designed to shore up weaknesses, and even try to turn them into strengths. But guess what? The odds are that you (and your kids and employees) will never be great at something you don’t have a natural gift for.

Which means I may have to finally give up my dream of playing shortstop for the Royals.

What’s fascinating is the wide range of 34 strengths they’ve uncovered. In addition to reframing worry as “Strategic,” and pack-ratting to “Input,” the philosophical bent to feel like things happen for a reason and see all of humanity as interrelated is called “Connectedness.” Amazingly, some people just don’t see the world like this. But I do.

It so happens these are my top 3 strengths, as determined by the Strengthsfinder online evaluation tool. (More about that in a minute.) What blows me away is that a few years ago, before I knew about this stuff, I released an entire CD about “Connectedness” called The Grand Design. It even includes a song about Worry. (”Writer’s Block, The Long-Term Positive and Negative Aspects of Worry.”) And as far as “Input” goes, I’ve pack-ratted enough potential song material for a few lifetimes. I never used my geology degree, for example (sorry, Mom), but I wrote a song about it called “All These Atoms.” (You can listen to it here.)

For somebody who’s always felt like a triangular peg in an octagonal hole, it’s a relief to learn I’m not a total side show. I have a unique set of weird character quirks, er, strengths, that are actually making me a living!

When you buy the book, you get a code you can use on the website to take the assessment tool, a series of questions that takes about 20 minutes. Although it might be even more accurate to simply read the book and pay attention to your life, as they suggest, the test is fun and revealing, and as I said, they definitely pegged me.

Some examples of the other 34 strengths:

You’re a driven Type-A? You might be an Achiever.
Impatient? You’re possibly an Activator.
Always need proof? You’re strongly Analytical.
Have to take charge? You have the gift of Command.
Like to explain, describe, write, and speak? You’re into Communication.
Need to outperform your peers? You’re gifted with Competition.
Find patterns in the past? You excel at Context.
Are you careful, vigilant? You’re talented at being Deliberative.
See the potential in others? You’re a Developer.
Like your world ordered and planned? You have the gift of Discipline.
You can sense other’s emotions? You have Empathy.

And so on through the alphabet to Woo. Are you great at winning others over? You have the gift of Woo. (Think Bill Clinton or Dolly Parton.) I have to admit, that one could come in handy.

So if the shape of your peg doesn’t seem like a perfect fit for your current niche, check out this book. Especially if you have kids. Or you manage people. Or have a family you don’t understand.

You’re stronger than you know. And so are they.

ADDENDUM: There’s a new, updated version of this online tool and community you can access by buying the book Strengthsfinder 2.0. If you’re starting from scratch, you might want to jump ahead to this advanced version. Although the first book I mentioned in the article is more fascinating reading, with lots of great examples.

© 2008 Greg Tamblyn