Strengths finder assessment results were designed to enable individuals to discover their top-most talents and capitalize on them. It was founded on the knowledge that it is better to concentrate on one’s strengths to be among the best of the leaders. Further, it is better to concentrate on one’s strengths to improve on the weaknesses (Rath & Conchie, 2009). Of the 34 strengths from the strength-based leadership text, I find adaptability, analytical, communication, empathy and learning as the most applicable strengths to me before even taking the assessment.
To begin with, adaptability as strength refers to the leaders who embrace change at all times (Rath & Conchie, 2009). Additionally, adaptability to me means following the rules and regulations stipulated by the authority to give room for change. (Rath & Conchie, 2009).Analytical is another strength that matters most to me because by being analytical I am capable of having a clear focus to the direction am heading to achieve success. Additionally, by being analytical I can analyze all the issues amicably to come up with concrete solutions to my problems. Further, embracing analytical spirit enables me to stand firm and face all the challenges that come my way. Further, this enables me to use the information that I get to make the right decisions.
Additionally, communication as a strength depicts an individual who inspires others by use of words of mouth or through the actions. By being a good communicator, I can convince others to follow my ideas by simply convincing them to do what I find worth (Rath & Conchie, 2008). This has further enabled me to express myself always, therefore, avoiding exploitation. Empathy as a strength refers to taking charge of other people’s problems and taking them as if they were mine has enabled me to take other people’s problems as if they were mine. Mostly, I use learning as my strong strength especially to climb my ladder towards success. Learning is the strength that enables one to achieve all the other strengths without straining. This is the strength that I use most in my life especially in all the fields dealing with acquiring new knowledge.
The results of my assessment were consistent with my expectations. This is because after the assessment I discovered that the majority of the leaders invest in their strengths and also concentrate on the employee’s strengths. Further, I discovered that most of the successful team leaders were surrounded by resourceful and industrious employees (Rath & Conchie, 2008). Additionally, I discovered that leaders understand their teams better and can cope with them. The interesting thing about the results was that to achieve better results in leadership, you have to capitalize on your strong points. Coincidentally, this was what I had been practicing in life especially in leadership. Also, It was also interesting to discover that the strengths that I had were responsible for my success in leadership.
Most of the successful leaders are indeed surrounded by strong teams. I am surrounded by strong hardworking employees and who play a great part in my success (Rath & Conchie, 2008). On the other hand, I disagree that the majority of successful leaders understand the needs of their employees. This is because some leaders just mind about the goals of the organization without minding about the employee’s needs.
References
Rath, T., & Conchie, B. (2008). Strengths based leadership. New York, NY: Gallup Press.
Rath, T., & Conchie, B. (2009). Strengths based leadership: Great leaders, teams, and why people follow. New York: Gallup Press