Strengths Based Leadership

Introduction to Strengths based approach

Everybody Has TalentTalents are naturally recurring patterns of thought, feeling or behavior that can be applied repeatedly in a consistent, near perfect performance Talents can’t be taughtKnowledge & skills can be transferred & taught

Writing Challenge Dominant Hand Non-dominant Hand Print: 1. _______________ 1. _______________

Cursive:

2. _______________ 2. _______________

Just For Fun!

Play To Your StrengthsThose who play to their strengths are likely to be more successful and have greater longevity in their jobsWeakness-fixing only prevents failure Do you spend most of your time trying to fix

things that aren’t working? It takes less than 3 seconds for people to start

talking about their weaknesses when they’re initially asked to describe their strengths

Four KeysTalent

SkillsKnowledgeStrengthsTalent + Knowledge + Skills = Strengths

ExpectationDefining the right outcomes

MotivationFocusing on individual strengths drives engagement

DevelopmentEnsuring ones talents are maximized for current & future roles

Can be taught- Can’t be taught

Leadership

“A leader needs to know his strengths as a carpenter knows his tools, or as a physician knows the instruments at his or her disposal. What great leaders have in common is that each truly knows his or her strengths – and can call on the right strength at the right time. This explains why there is no definitive list of characteristics that describe all leaders.”

- Dr. Donald Clifton-father of strengths psychology

“The three greatest leaders of the 20th century were Hitler, Stalin and Mao. If that is leadership, I want no part of it”

- Peter Drucker

Effective Leadership The best leaders live onWhat leader has the most positive influence in your life?

List three words that best describes what that person contributes to your life?

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________

How did they shape your thoughts and beliefs? How did they alter the course of your life?

What are the keys to being an effective leader? Gallup reviewed decades of data on leadership

50 years of Gallup polls on most admired leaders Initiated study of 10,000 “followers” around the world to

understand why they follow

Gallup Research Findings Most effective leaders:

Always invest in strengths 73% of Employees are engaged when leadership focuses

on strengths Only 9% when not focused on strengths

Surround themselves with the right people to maximize their teamUnderstand their followers’ needs

Build Trust Show Compassion Provide Stability Create Hope

What Strong Teams Have In Common Strong Teams: Have a common purpose Focus on results Prioritize what’s best for the organization Committed to work & personal life Embrace diversity Are magnets for talent

Maximizing Your Team Themes naturally cluster into four domains of leadership

Executing

Influencing

Relationship Building

Strategic Thinking

Effective leaders build teams with talent in all four

domains They then build on each person’s strengths

34 StrenthsFinder Themes

Talent Line upHave people pick a side of the room:

Absolutely for the idea Absolutely against the idea

Situations: Invited to a party of 100 people, you don’t know anyone that is

attending. Would you go? WOO vs. Relator

Asked to compete in a competition Would you do it? Competition vs. Harmony

Decide to buy a new car. Buy today or buy next year? Activator vs. Analytical/Ideation/Input)

Doing a team project. Give instructions or take instructions? Command vs. Harmony

One theme is not more valuable than another The top 5 are your signature themes

1:33 million chance that you meet someone with the same top 5 in the same order as yours

1:250,000 chance of meeting someone who has the same top 5

It’s up to you to develop each of your talents into strengths Just because something showed up in your top 5 talents,

doesn’t necessarily mean it’s one of your strengths If you intentionally and repeatedly use one of your top 5, they’ll

become strengths

Themes& Not Traits

Executing Themes AchieverArrangerBeliefConsistencyDeliberativeDisciplineFocusResponsibilityRestorative

ExecutingLeaders dominant in “Executing” domain, know how to make things happen.

Implement solutions Ability to “catch” an idea and make it reality

Examples: Leader may excel at establishing a quality process using

Deliberative or Discipline themes Leader may work tirelessly toward a goal with the

Achiever theme Leader with strong Arranger theme may determine the

optimal configuration of people to complete a project

Influencing Themes ActivatorCommandCommunicationCompetitionMaximizerSelf-AssuranceSignificanceWoo

InfluencingLeaders dominant in “Influencing” domain help their team reach a much broader audience.

Sell ideas inside & outside organization Ability to take charge and speak upExamples:

Leader with Command or Self-Assurance theme will project authority and win followers

Leader using Woo or Communication theme might get people involved by getting individuals to feel comfortable and connected to the issues at hand

Relationship Builder Themes AdaptabilityDeveloperConnectednessEmpathyHarmonyIncluderIndividualizationPositivityRelator

Relationship BuilderLeaders with dominant strength in “Relationship Building” domain are the essential glue that holds a team together.

Unique ability to create groups Minimize distractionsExamples:

Leader with Positivity or Harmony theme may work hard to minimize distractions & keep team energy high

Leader with strong Relator or Developer theme may be a great mentor and guide as they push others toward bigger and better achievements.

Strategic Thinking Themes AnalyticalContextFuturisticIdeationInputIntellectionLearnerStrategic

Strategic Thinking Domain Leaders with dominant strength in “Strategic Thinking” keep others focused on what could be

Constantly absorbing and analyzing data Continually stretch our thinking for the futureExamples:

Leader with Context or Strategic theme might explain how past events influence present circumstances

Leader with strong Ideation or Input theme may see countless opportunities for growth based on all the information

Top 5 Themes Team Grid

Next StepsRoll-out StrengthsFinder 2.0 at POA

Objective and Outline “Four Keys Guide” – additional copies shipped to Managers post POA

Discuss individual contributor survey resultsConduct Four Keys Interview with team Incorporate insights into action planQ & A