Utilize Your Strengths for Good Works

The book 'Strengths Finder 2.0' is probably one of the easiest reads I've had and only divided into two Parts. It was written by a Tom Rath as an introduction and breakdown of the Gallup foundation devoted to helping people discover their natural talents and strengths, how to build on them, and how to work with others who's strengths differ from yours. In a sense, it is like the average personality test, except this one doesn't give attention to weaknesses. The reason being because the founder, Donald O. Clifton, wanted to start focusing on "what's right with people" rather that focusing on how to fix everyone's weaknesses.

In Part I, Rath gives a brief history on the inspiration and development of the Gallup foundation, and introduced Gallup's 40-year study of human strengths, 

The Gallup foundation argues that is vital to understand what our natural talents and strengths are, and to build upon those rather than try to what we are not. Roth used the example of Rudy Ruettiger, a young man who dreamed of playing for the Notre Dame football team, even though he was only 5'6" and 165lbs. He did manage to make the team, and because of his dedication and heart, he was allowed one play in his final game (but after it was certain Notre Dame would win). His story was made into the 1993 film 'Rudy,' and thousands (including myself) were inspired by another underdog achieving his dream.

However, Gallup challenged this as masking a significant problem, leading "millions of people to see these heroes as being the epitome of the American Dream and set their sights on conquering major challenges." Why is that a problem? Gallup argues that it is better to capitalize on your natural abilities and strengths rather than to spend your life being something else. While some people, like Rudy, have managed to accomplish their dream, most people fail because they have spent their entire lives trying to be something they are not instead of discovering who they are. 

Part II lists each of the 34 strengths and ideas for action. Each strength is listed in alphabetical order, but is listed under four different themes:

The Executors (People who get things done) -Achiever, Arranger, Belief, Consistency, Deliberative, Discipline, Focus, Responsibility, Restorative

The Influencers -Activator, Command, Communication, Competition, Maximizer, Self-Assurance, Significance, Woo

The Relationship Builders -Adaptability, Developer, Connectedness, Empathy, Harmony, Includer, Individualization, Positivity, Relator

The Strategic Thinkers -Analytical, Context, Futuristic, Ideation, Input, Intellection, Learner, Strategic

I found this book to be breath of fresh air because it's approach. I also decided to take the online test at https://www.gallupstrengthscenter.com for my top five strengths. They were: 

1    Empathy   

2    Context   

3    Restorative   

4    Developer   

5    Harmony

Recognizing my strengths impacted my thought process in several ways, and by learning more about my own strengths and how to build upon them, I can seek to apply them more in my life and ministry. Here are five examples of impact so far:

1. Gallup says I need to focus to my strengths more than my weaknesses.

• I'm not gifted in finances, but I am good at meeting and connecting with people. While I am learning to improve my financial skills for myself, I especially need to focus on my natural ability in relationships and build a network of people who share my passions and heart for ministry. By doing this, I will be better able to gain the financial backing  I need for ministry rather than stressing over investments and other areas I'm not gifted in. 

2. My highest strength is Empathy. This means that I have a strong intuition about what other people are feeling, and can always find a way to understand them.

• This is a powerful gift I need to build upon in my ministry. This will help me to be able to better mentor and mediate between others who are not gifted in this area. Because I can understand each side better, God could use me to help reconcile misunderstandings and strengthen teams and leadership.

3. I also have strengths in Context and Restorative. I value the retrospective viewpoint and I look back to understand the present, and I love to solve problems.

• Because of my strong passion for studying Scripture in Its full context, I am able to grasp things that many people over look. I also recognize that most people cannot or will not study the Scripture as intently as I do. Therefore, I can combine this knowledge with my passion for the Arts and discover ways to bring the Bible to life for a broader audience. 
• This is also a benefit to me as I always keep a mental file storing all the useful training techniques I have learned in various work areas. I can utilize this knowledge to develop training courses that will help the multiple cultures on my YWAM base, to better understand the way the base operates and their responsibilities and accountabilities while here.

4. I've always recognized by strength as an Includer. This is actually a very important part of ministry.

• This is very important in leadership meetings. I am sensitive to others being 'looked over.' I can be a benefit in meetings by making sure that everyone has had an opportunity to give their input and know they are valued. (This is combined with my strength in Empathy as well.)

5. The Rudy example is probably what impacted most. I love stories about people who overcome all the obstacles, and I'm proud of what Rudy accomplished. But this book also provoked me to consider what happened afterwards? Rudy was discontent with his life before, and I imagine he would fall right back into that later.

• Instead of spending my life trying to excel in things that I am not gifted in, I need to improve on what I am. I don't need to be another Rudy and dream about becoming something I don't have the talent or body type for, and center my entire life around that five minutes of glory. Instead, I can focus on what I am able to do and build in that. By doing this, I will be live a life full of contentment and achieve many things that will be far more rewarding than five minutes of personal glory. 

I understand now why so many people have praised this book. I think it the nature of most people to focus on improving their weaknesses instead of sharpening their strengths. I do agree that we should not neglect our weaknesses, but we really need to focus on our natural, God-given abilities and strengths.

Why? 

Because my strengths are a part of who God created me to be. And if I spend all of my life trying to be something I'm not, I would miss out on so much potential and opportunity. That would be a waste.

And my God is not a God of waste. He's a God of Strength!