Go Put Your Strengths To Work by Marcus Buckingham
JACK’S TAKE
I can’t tell you how many times I went back to this book during my managerial career at Kraft Heinz. As managers it is becoming more and more common that we should focus on our team’s strengths, as opposed to their weaknesses. But how should we do it?
Well, one way is to take the Clifton Strengths Assessment (£25 per person) which will give a very good understanding of what your (and your team’s) talents are. However, if you can’t invest that money, I would definitely turn to this book.
It gives a very clear framework, along with exercises, which will help you get to a deeper understanding of what it is that makes you and your team unique. The book cover looks a bit old and it sounds a bit textbooky, but don’t let that put you off.
So, what even is a strength? I love the definition from Marcus Buckingham:
An activity that makes you feel strong. And a weakness is an activity that makes you feel weak. Even if you're good at it, if it drains you, that's a weakness.
KEY IDEAS
The below is a great four question reflective exercise (taken from the book) that you can do for yourself or with your team to get clear on your strengths:
Success: where have you had success in your career?
Instinct: what activities seem to come naturally to you?
Growth: where does learning come easy to you?
Need: what activities do you feel like you have to do?
To cut the same question in a different dimension: at the end of every day, write down everything that you did that day into two columns:
It made me feel strong
It made me feel weak
I did both of these activities several times with my team to get clear on what their strengths are.
“What’s the real challenge here for you?”
MAYBE SKIP IF
You are well versed in strengths literature and you’ve done these types of exercises before.
You have taken the Clifton Strengths test and use it regularly.
You already have a good way of understanding your team’s strengths.
WHO THIS IS FOR
Managers and leaders who want to be clearer on what their team’s individual strengths are.
Individuals who want to be able to effectively describe what they are good at to their managers.
Individuals who are going for job interviews who want to be able to articulate their real value.
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