Discover Your Talents
Discover Your Talents module 1 | training 2
1
Complete the StrengthsFinder Survey (www.gallupstrengthscenter.com) to discover what you like to do at work and the outcomes you like to achieve. Note down your top five talents:
2
1.
______________________________________________________________________
2.
______________________________________________________________________
3.
______________________________________________________________________
4.
______________________________________________________________________
5.
______________________________________________________________________
Put your results into context by thinking back on how you’ve used – or not used – these talents at work in the past to understand what they look like in your role and in your organization. Think back on the high-point moment you identified for your character strengths – a time that was memorable and stood out – when you felt really engaged, energized and enjoyed what you were doing at work. Which of your top five talents were you using (there may be more than one talent in play)? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Think back on the time you identified underplaying your character strengths and you missed out on an opportunity at work because you lacked confidence, feared failure or didn’t want to stand
www.michellemcquaid.com
chellemcquaid
1.
Discover Your Talents module 1 | training 2
out from your peers. Which of your top five talents could you have called on to help you show up and shine in this situation? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________
Finally, think back on the time you identified overplaying your character strengths at work when, despite putting in your best efforts, things seemed to misfire, people didn’t appreciate what you were doing and you may have almost burnt yourself out. Which of your talents might you have been overplaying in this situation that, if dialed back a little, could have helped you get a better outcome? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Try to find a couple of examples for each of these points if you can. If you can’t find them in your previous stories, think of other occasions that may help you identify your talents that are more focused on what you were doing, rather than how you were working. Then, continue to be alert over the coming week – you may even want to keep a journal – of your best and worst moments at work. Try to note each time what you’re doing, how you’re feeling and whether you’re underplaying, overplaying or have found the golden mean of particular talents. www.michellemcquaid.com
chellemcquaid
2.
Discover Your Talents module 1 | training 2
The more examples you can gather, the easier it will be to take the next step of envisioning what a strengths-balanced future could be like at work. 3
Your talents cluster under four different leadership styles. Place a star next to your top five talents on the chart below and then note at the bottom which leadership style you are dominant in. Many people find there will be one, two or even three styles their talents fall under. However, some people find they have a talent in each style. There is no right or wrong answer, just make a note of which styles you’re drawing more heavily upon.
Executing Achiever Arranger Belief Consistency Deliberative Discipline Focus Responsability Restorative
Influencing Activator Command Communication Competition Maximizer Self-assurance Significance Woo
Relationship Building Adaptability Developer Connectedness Empathy Harmony Includer Individualization Positivity Relator
Strategic Thinking Analytical Context Futuristic Ideation Input Intellection Learner Strategic
1.
______________________________________________________________________
2.
______________________________________________________________________
3.
______________________________________________________________________
4.
______________________________________________________________________
www.michellemcquaid.com
chellemcquaid
3.
1
Complete the StrengthsFinder Survey (www.gallupstrengthscenter.com) to discover what you like to do at work and the outcomes you like to achieve. Note down your top five talents:
2
1.
______________________________________________________________________
2.
______________________________________________________________________
3.
______________________________________________________________________
4.
______________________________________________________________________
5.
______________________________________________________________________
Put your results into context by thinking back on how you’ve used – or not used – these talents at work in the past to understand what they look like in your role and in your organization. Think back on the high-point moment you identified for your character strengths – a time that was memorable and stood out – when you felt really engaged, energized and enjoyed what you were doing at work. Which of your top five talents were you using (there may be more than one talent in play)? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Think back on the time you identified underplaying your character strengths and you missed out on an opportunity at work because you lacked confidence, feared failure or didn’t want to stand
www.michellemcquaid.com
chellemcquaid
1.
Discover Your Talents module 1 | training 2
out from your peers. Which of your top five talents could you have called on to help you show up and shine in this situation? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________
Finally, think back on the time you identified overplaying your character strengths at work when, despite putting in your best efforts, things seemed to misfire, people didn’t appreciate what you were doing and you may have almost burnt yourself out. Which of your talents might you have been overplaying in this situation that, if dialed back a little, could have helped you get a better outcome? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Try to find a couple of examples for each of these points if you can. If you can’t find them in your previous stories, think of other occasions that may help you identify your talents that are more focused on what you were doing, rather than how you were working. Then, continue to be alert over the coming week – you may even want to keep a journal – of your best and worst moments at work. Try to note each time what you’re doing, how you’re feeling and whether you’re underplaying, overplaying or have found the golden mean of particular talents. www.michellemcquaid.com
chellemcquaid
2.
Discover Your Talents module 1 | training 2
The more examples you can gather, the easier it will be to take the next step of envisioning what a strengths-balanced future could be like at work. 3
Your talents cluster under four different leadership styles. Place a star next to your top five talents on the chart below and then note at the bottom which leadership style you are dominant in. Many people find there will be one, two or even three styles their talents fall under. However, some people find they have a talent in each style. There is no right or wrong answer, just make a note of which styles you’re drawing more heavily upon.
Executing Achiever Arranger Belief Consistency Deliberative Discipline Focus Responsability Restorative
Influencing Activator Command Communication Competition Maximizer Self-assurance Significance Woo
Relationship Building Adaptability Developer Connectedness Empathy Harmony Includer Individualization Positivity Relator
Strategic Thinking Analytical Context Futuristic Ideation Input Intellection Learner Strategic
1.
______________________________________________________________________
2.
______________________________________________________________________
3.
______________________________________________________________________
4.
______________________________________________________________________
www.michellemcquaid.com
chellemcquaid
3.
