How effective are you using your strengths to deliver results?
In the Strengthscope 360° ™️ supplement to the Strengthscope test, your colleagues (peers, direct report and line managers/supervisors) receive a questionnaire where they assess (1) if what you perceive as your strengths are also perceived by them and (2) if you are using these strengths effectively to deliver results.
When the answer is yes for both questions, you basically receive a confirmation of what you have evaluate for yourself in the Strengthscope test. When the answers are different – or very different – than what you think of yourself, it’s at the same time disturbing, humbling and useful.
It somehow shows you don’t use your strengths at their maximum potential or perhaps you think you have this strength but you are the only one to think it. Or perhaps you have this strength in certain contexts but not in others.
Decisiveness
One of my “Significant 7” strengths is “Decisiveness”. I am convinced I can take quick, confident and clear decisions even when faced with limited informations. I know it from my experience and in comparison with other people in my working environment. I know it even if in the context of certain companies cultures, taking decision requires a lot of energy to get the support (“buy-in”) from key stakeholders. It takes time and is therefore often slow.
Others could see this strength too. But where I considered I was “extremely effective” at using it to deliver results, my colleagues though I was “moderately effective”…OUPS… What to think about that? My MBTI profile (ENTJ) is also indicating a very strong Judging character, the four times I did it in different contexts, so it must be
Others could see this strength too. But where I considered I was “extremely effective” at using it to deliver results, my colleagues though I was “moderately effective”…OUPS… What to think about that? My MBTI profile (ENTJ) is also indicating a very strong Judging character, the four times I did it in different contexts, so it must be somehow true ?
Taking ownership of my Strengths
I stil think I take quick and clear decisions, also because I sometimes took decisions too quickly and I paid it enough to really feel it. What this evaluation from my colleagues means is that there is a gap between my perception and their perception of the situation. What it also means is that, perhaps, as I know I sometimes take decisions too fast, I learn to be more balanced – to compensate the very strong J in my MBTI – ans so I don’t take so often very quick and clear decisions.
Perhaps, it also means I could be more decisive when I evolved in a simpler world and it’s getting more complicated and thus slower to take decisions in functions where more is at stake?
I took it as a sign I was not using this strength the right way. In an organisation where many decisions took a long time, I had the opportunity to take decisions much faster at my own level and perhaps influence, through my decisions, the decisions at the upper level of the organisation. I could have the courage and energy and personality to take these decisions and drive my team to a better direction than it finally went.
Too late for me, what about you?
Unfortunately, I did theStrengthscope 360° ™️ after I quit my company to become self-employed. It is still relevant to my current work although it has an impact on less people.
Now I can only strongly recommend to do this test and the coaching associated to it while it can have a greater impact in your current job.
You never know, perhaps you can use even better your strengths, with more positive impact on yourself and the colleagues you work every day with?
