Through My Most Difficult Talent, I found My True Purpose

As a Strengths Coach it was important that I identify my own talents in order to really grow professionally and personally. Part of this self-growth journey began when I understood the CliftonStrengths? that I incorporate into my personal method for coaching.?

It’s said that each of us have a minimum of 5 natural talents or strengths. My top 5 CliftonStrengths? are Activator?, Strategic?, Restorative?, Responsibility?, and Communication?. I have been exploring, discovering and working with these Talent themes for almost 15 years now and here's what I've noticed:

My self-discovery continues.?

If I were to dissect each of these talent themes I would say that during my last years in corporate life, I was convinced that my key talent was the Activator? - I positioned myself as the person for the beginnings of large projects, transformations etc. Keen to get started, to mobilize others, and to cut through procrastination.?

Of course Strategic? was equally important. Being a senior leader, it was part of my daily routine to contribute new ways of doing things, evaluate different processes, systems, organizational forms, etc. I enjoy identifying different possible ways forward, identifying the best and then, of course, implementing them.?

Another big talent theme is Communication? - and if you’ve met me in person, you know I love to engage in conversation. This talent was and is so profoundly part of me that I don’t spend much time thinking about it. From school days when I was a member of the school theater group to getting a kick out of each and every public appearance or opportunity to speak to a crowd to my teaching/coaching today - I just love talking to people and finding a language that engages them.??

And lastly, there’s the Restorative? Talent

Restorative? is one of my top 5 which for a long time bothered me. Often it would mislead me to say and do things that I shouldn’t have. I found it very difficult not to blurt out each and every improvement opportunity that I noticed - whether it was my own or someone else’s purview. You may be able to imagine how many people I pissed off on the way just by blurting out something they could do better.? Unlike the other talents, I felt that Restorative? had a possessive control over me rather than the other way around.?

But then a new chapter opened up for me. One that said good-bye to my old corporate ways and hello to a new peaceful nurturing life - that’s where the true meaning of my Restorative? talent came into play.?

It just sort of happened one day, about a year into having founded Kamba farm together with my husband. I was out there, pruning some trees (By now you know this is one of my favorite topics). And suddenly I was literally struck: I was there, “restoring” land, drawn to the healthiest expression or manifestation of the Restorative? talent that I can think of - which is working with and improving the quality of soil.

Until that day, I didn’t understand the depth and benefits of the Restorative? Talent - of how it can be healing and in service of yourself, a community, and even the planet as a whole.?

Knowing My True Calling

It’s through the Restorative? talent that I have found my true calling. My purpose today is to “Nurture People and to Nurture Soil.” The sequence is a compromise. It should really be the other way around. Nurture Soil and Nurture People. That's the last step, which remains to be taken.?

Through dissecting my top 5 talents, I ultimately found what I personally feel is my life’s purpose. It’s a happy place to be in and one that I hope my coaching can bring to people!?