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I believe Servant leadership is about drawing out the best in others. The StrengthsFinder assessment was first introduced to me by Abbey Louie, one of my Servant leader mentors and co-facilitators of the BCFP Capstone Seminar. I had the honor to work for Abbey for six months when I started my role with the Business Career Foundation Program. Abbey, who is certified in the StrengthsFinder assessment, recognized the value in understanding my strengths. Even though I no longer work directly for Abbey, her Strengths-based approach to Servant leadership continues to inspire me to bring out the best in myself and in others.

We live in a world revolved around fixing our weaknesses. Servant leaders recognize the potential in developing the strengths of others which is why I chose to incorporate the StrengthsFinder assessment into the BCFP Capstone Seminar. In an effort to prepare for the seminar (which is next week eek!), I wanted to outline, for my readers and for myself, my top five strengths in accordance with the StrengthsFinder Assessment:

Strength #1: Maximizer: My strength as a Maximizer influences others.  As a Maximizer, I am aware of the talents and strengths of others. In fact, I’m fascinated by understanding the strengths of others. I love helping others understand their potential through highlighting their unique talents (Rath, 2007, pp. 137-140). My maximizer strength has incredibly beneficial in my role as the BCFP Program Lead. In this role, I meet monthly with each program participant and help coach and guide them through their rotation assignments and leadership goals. My acute awareness of others’ strengths allows me to sense which job assignments will align best to their strengths. Excellence, not average, is what I strive for. All strengths have their shadows.  I’m not interested in fixing myself or others so I struggle when asked to manage my own shortcomings and the weaknesses of others. This is a leadership challenge I face in a performance driven organization.

Strength #2: Empathy: Empathy is a strength which allows me to build positive relationships with those I serve. I can sense the emotions of those around me. I feel what others are feeling as though their emotions are my own (Rath, 2007, pp. 97-100). I perceive others’ pain and joy, even when it isn’t outwardly expressed. Trust is incredibly important to me and my approach to leadership. I’ve been able to leverage my strength of empathy to help build trust with others through helping them express their feelings. The downside to empathy is that I often carry the burden of others, which can become overwhelming. In these moments, I must remember to take time for self-care.

Strength #3: Relator:  My strength as a Relator allows me to build positive relationships with others. I can relate to all kinds of people and continuously seek connection with others (Rath, 2007, pp. 145-147). My leadership philosophy is rooted in connection with myself and the world around me, thus it is no surprise that Relator was one of my top five strengths. I love meeting new people and enjoy the thrill of chatting to a stranger on an airplane. I value close relationships. I am most at peace when I’m surrounded by my very small group of close friends. The downside of being a Relator is that I tend to be drawn to people I already know, which in large social situations can make others view me as closed off.

Strength #4: Input: My strength of Input allows me to think strategically. I’m naturally inquisitive. Curiosity is a major aspect of my leadership philosophy and is one of my core values. I’m constantly seeking to know more about the world. I believe the world is an exciting place filled with infinite variety and complexity. I find myself wanting to know everything. Information fascinates me. I love learning new facts and sharing my knowledge with others (Rath, 2007, pp. 125-128). The downside of my constant inquisitiveness is that I sometimes struggle with staying focused. I’ve been able to counter the shadow of my Input strength by surrounding myself with leaders who have strong focus and discipline.

Strength #5: Positivity: Positivity is a strength which allows me to build relationships with others. I constantly look for the light in every situation (Rath, 2007, pp. 141-144). I enjoy praising others and always find a reason to smile. I bring enthusiasm and optimism to all aspects of my life. Positivity shines through in my leadership, through joy, gratitude, and hope. I strive to make life exciting for others through lifting their spirits. I’m aware of suffering, but I would rather focus on living joyfully. The shadow of my positivity strength is that I avoid the company of negative people who find me naïve. I don’t enjoy cheering up negative people, however, I flourish when I can energize positive people who need an extra spark of motivation.

Food for Thought:

1. What are your top five strengths according to the StrengthsFinder assessment?
2. How do your strengths show up in your leadership?
3. What are the shadows of your strengths and how can you manage them to bring the best version of yourself to all circumstances, situations, and relationships?