In “The Taming of the Shrew” , Act 1, Scene 1, the servant character Tanio advises his master Lucentio, “No profit grows where is no pleasure ta’en;
In brief, sir, study what you most affect.”

Sounds a lot like, “do what you love, and the money will follow.” Shakespeare wrote the words hundreds of years ago.

FOCUS ON STRENGTHS

I believe strongly in the need for great project managers. I happen to detest doing project management work. Yet time and again I fall into roles that require strong project management skills. Sooo…I appear to be a valued project manager to my company. That isn’t what I want to do, or enjoy doing, or see as a strength. We can be come fairly competent at something we don’t like to do. 

Strengthsfinder

Marcus Buckingham’s book, “Now, Follow Your Strengths” has an assessment that allows you to identify your top five core strengths.  My five are:

Input - People strong in the Input theme have a craving to know more. Often they like to collect and archive all kinds of information. 

Strategic - People strong in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.

Positivity - People strong in the Positivity theme have an enthusiasm that is contagious. They are upbeat and can get others excited about what they are going to do

Activator - People strong in the Activator theme can make things happen by turning thoughts into action. They are often impatient.
 

Ideation - People strong in the Ideation theme are fascinated by ideas. They are able to find connections between seemingly disparate phenomena.
Based on this information, my ideal work challenges would allow me to utilize these five strengths a majority of the time.  I would be at my best.

SMOOTH THE EDGES

It takes time to get it right. Finding the balance of what we like to do, what we’re born to do, and what someone will pay us to do is as much art as science. (thanks Jim!)

The next time you’re wondering how to make an impact in your business, ask yourself if what you’re doing the most of each day is something you truly enjoy - leveraging those strengths.

Joe Raasch :: Apr.03.2007 :: Employee Engagement, Performance Management :: 2 Comments »