Lessons Learned from My Leadership Style: Building on My Strengths

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi?

This quote best represents my top 5 Clifton Strengths and forms my definition of leadership. While some may view leadership as opportunities for self-promotion or control, I view leadership as a privilege and a responsibility to bring out the best versions of people and fuel growth. In this article I’ll be using my results from the Strength Finders Assessment and apply them to my leadership style.?

Initial Reaction?

I’m not usually a big fan of these sorts of assessments because I tend to feel like my entire identity is confined into a box but reading through the results it felt genuine. I saw myself in my results. I would say that these almost perfectly define the foundation of my leadership style and therefore highlight how I connect with others, organize tasks, and pursue my core values.?

Application to My Approach to Leadership?

At the heart of my leadership is Belief. This core value-driven approach has taught me the importance of clarity and conviction in leadership. By having a defined purpose, I can inspire and align my team towards a common goal. This strength has also emphasized the need for authenticity in my leadership; I must embody the values I promote. ?

The Arranger strength reflects my ability to see potential in every situation and my desire to organize resources for optimal productivity. It’s a goal of mine to adapt to changing circumstances while ensuring that all elements work harmoniously together. This requires collaboration. By inviting team members to share their insights on the task at hand, I not only enhance productivity but also empower others. Again, for me this is the purpose of leadership.?

With the Connectedness strength, I have a deep appreciation for the relationships and events that shape our experiences. I believe that every interaction has a purpose. This perspective has strengthened my ability to foster a sense of community within teams.?

Positivity is a cornerstone of my leadership style. The ability to remain upbeat and energize those around is crucial in overcoming challenges and maintaining morale. A significant lesson learned is that positivity is not merely about being cheerful; it also involves acknowledging difficulties and working through them collectively. ?

Lastly, my Woo strength reflects my passion for connecting with new people and building relationships. I thrive on the challenge of breaking the ice and forming meaningful connections. This strength has taught me that strong relationships are essential for effective teamwork and leadership.?

Using Strengths to Identify Weaknesses and Inspire Growth?

Dr. Shannon Younger in my New Venture Development class last year walked us through a Failure Resume Worksheet which was a reflective exercise that challenged us to confront and learn from our past mistakes. We were taught that failure is not a defining factor but a necessary step toward personal growth. I see the same value in understanding my weaknesses. My strengths highlight areas where I am blind or comfortable and therefore offer opportunities for improvement. ?

Specifically, this assessment has?highlighted my desire to grow in the following areas:?

• Empathy: Leadership has taught me the importance of empathy which is?the desire to?actively share a person's emotions. In order to push people towards growth I need to walk with them and in order to walk with them I need to understand where they are. ?

• Communication: This defines a team's ability to adapt and grow. While I feel great at communicating vision, I've recognized it's difficult for me to communicate my mistakes or where I need support, but in order to not stunt development I need to remove all hesitation.?

• Strategic Thinking: With 3 out of my 5 strengths falling under the relationship building and influencing categories, my focus on people often clouds achievement-oriented strategic thinking. While I believe relationships are the heartbeat of Servant Leadership, I need to develop a healthy balance of people and results. ?

Summary:?

Peter Drucker claims, “the greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence—it is to act with yesterday’s logic.” I understand this to mean that strengths allow you to adapt and respond effectively to change. This assessment highlighted where my heart is, but also allowed me to reflect on areas of improvement so that I can navigate through times of turbulence with greater certainty of results.?