Lead with your strengths

Wikipedia’s definition of Leadership is “a process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task."

Leadership is often used to bring forth a vision, a change, and/or a specific result. A leader can inspire and enroll a group of people through a series of actions, to achieve a task. Leadership can also be perceived as an evolutionary process.

OBSERVING SUCCESSFUL LEADERS

Which leaders do you admire? What are their strengths, qualities? People are capable of developing leadership qualities. Brian Tracy explains the Top 2 leadership qualities that make great leaders at http;//www.briantracy.com/blog/tag/leadership-qualities.

In the Social Learning Theory, 1977, Albert Bandura, Canadian born psychologist says; "Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions to inform them what to do. Fortunately, most human behavior is learned observationally through modeling; from observing others one forms an idea of how new behaviors are performed, and on later occasions this coded information serves as a guide for action."

What human behavior do you observe in successful leaders that you could model after and apply in your life? What human behavior are others observing in you and modeling?

Each individual can develop and accentuate qualities, skills that can enhance one’s life and work.

As a leader what strengths, qualities do you want to lead with?


SELF-AWARENESS

Before leading others, the leader called “me” ought to be explored. Greater self-awareness can be an essential key to higher standards of leadership. One can attain greater self-awareness through personal development programs, coaching, reading, etc., or by reflecting on questions such as; What are my natural talents? What are my strengths? What are my weaknesses?

The answers to these important questions reveal aspects and bring further clarity to who one is. Being authentic with responses allows one’s true essence and potential to flourish.

TALENTS AND STRENGTHS

The Oxford dictionary defines talent as; a natural aptitude or skill. Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D (1924-2003), the father of strengths-based psychology and creator of the Clifton Strengthsfinder® together with Tom Rath and a team of scientists at Gallup, describe talent as a natural way of thinking, feeling or behaving.

The Strengthsfinder 2.0 book states; TALENT (a natural way of thinking, feeling or behaving) x INVESTMENT (time spent practicing, developing your skills, and building your knowledge base) = STRENGTH (the ability to consistently provide near-perfect performance). This excellent resource has an in-depth explanation of the above.

What are your strengths? Do you effortlessly see opportunities? Are you at ease meeting people? Do you focus easily and are able to pinpoint priorities? Do you love being in continuous action? Do you enjoy thorough details and analysis? There are no right or wrong answers.

The following are some online assessments to find out your strengths (also referred to as Signature strengths or Top 5 strengths);

• Via Inventory of Strengths Survey (FREE, 17 languages, Top 5 strengths, youth and adults) http;//www.viame.org and Via Pro Team report ($15USD per team member),
• Strengthsfinder 2.0 (by Tom Rath, access code included with a book purchase) at www.strengthsfinder.com,
• Standout by Marcus Buckingham, how to find and capitalize on your edge ($15USD online or access code included with a book purchase) at www.standout.tmbc.com.