The Truth About Potential

“You cannot be anything you want but you can be a lot more of who you already are”. Donald Clifton

Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D  is dubbed the “Father of Strengths Psychology”.  In 1998, he, along with a team of Gallop scientists started a global conversation about what’s right with people.   His theory is simply that people have several times more potential for growth when they invest energy in developing their strengths instead of trying to correct their deficiencies.

Here are a few statistics that support the importance of his theory, taken from Tom Rath’s book Strengthsfinder 2.0.

• In a 2008 study, after a decade of conversation around strengths, only one third of employees strongly agree with the statement “At work I have the opportunity to do what I do best everyday”

• This is important because, people who do have the opportunity to focus on their strengths everyday are 6 times as likely to be engaged in their jobs. And 3 times as likely to report having an “excellent quality of life”.

Okay, so let’s assume that you have found yourself in that large percentage of less than fully engaged folks, limping along feeling like you are not using your strengths enough. What can you do to join the more fulfilled and engaged minority?  

Strengths Psychology suggests that you have much more potential for growth and fulfillment if you focus your efforts on becoming who you are meant to be. 

Here's how you might begin: 

• As usual, change comes from the inside out.  So you must start with self-awareness. Because strengths are talents realized, you should start by thinking about what comes most naturally to you.  When you notice what you are naturally good at, you are identifying talents. If you really aren’t sure, consider an assessment like Strengthsfinder.  It is available online to individual users and it is very affordable.

• The harsh reality is that our talents can be either wasted or realized.  Talents only become strengths when we develop them with focused and consistent efforts. So your next effort should be in identifying where you have had the opportunity to exercise and develop your natural abilities.

• Focus your efforts on those talents that you have developed and that have served you well.  Look for opportunities to advance your brand, make your strengths the first thing people notice and the things that people remember about you.  Continue to practice them with diligence.  Sharpen your sword.

• Then, identify those natural abilities that remain untapped, under-developed and potentially wasted. Look at all the potential that lies in your under-developed talents.  Look for ways to explore those capabilities. Volunteer for projects and assignments that might allow you to flex those muscles. Explore aspects of your job and your functional department's tasks that you might participate in to further those talents.

• Look at where you are spending your time...you can’t always change your role but you often can re-direct your current focus to better suit your natural capabilities. Enlist the help of your boss.  It’s a leader’s job to advance the capabilities of his/her team members.  This is new conversation so be sure to bring your suggestions and your ideas.

Remember no one can increase your engagement but you!