Leverage Your Strengths

A Personal Journey

(Welcome back to Older, Bolder & Better! after a 2-week summer break. Rejuvenated and ready to write.)

What do you consider your strengths?

We all have natural abilities—the skills that come to us easily. Some of us are organizers, others are “idea people” who create innovative solutions. Still others are analysts—those who make decisions or identify areas for improvement based on data, patterns, and trends. There are also leaders, creatives, educators, and communicators among us.

In the late 1990s, the “Strengths Movement” was introduced to corporate America. The book Soar With Your Strengths marked a radical departure from the business advice I was used to reading. Now, Discover Your Strengths by Buckingham and Clifton introduced the first version of the online StrengthsFinder assessment in 2001—and it changed my mindset!

Before recognizing and leveraging strengths, the conventional wisdom was to focus on development areas. Many employees (myself included) dreaded annual performance appraisals, which often focused less on what went well and more on what needed improvement.

As a lifelong learner, I’m not suggesting we stop learning new things or upgrading our skills. However, I am making the case for leaning into what you already do well—and leveraging those abilities.

My Strengths Journey as a Retiree—

I consider myself a communicator, specifically a writer. When I retired in September 2023, I planned to complete my manuscript and focus entirely on editorial pursuits. My friend, Haley, encouraged me to try storytelling. She produces storytelling events around Indianapolis and in November 2023, I timidly took the microphone. It was uncomfortable.

A few months later, I tried again and the topic made sharing a story easier. The audience laughed at the right moments and gave me a round of applause as I sat down. It wasn’t nearly as awful as my debut—and I had fun. Haley invited me to audition for one of her signature storytelling events, Listen to Your Mother in May 2024. To my surprise, I was chosen for the cast!

Participating in LTYM introduced me to Storytelling Arts of Indiana (https://storytellingarts.org). Their Executive Director, Ellen, offered me a spot in their 2024 mentorship program. Under the tutelage of Celestine Bloomfield, our cohort of future storytellers became more confident, learned ‘tricks of the trade’ and completed several storytelling programs together.

LTYM (2024) in the Frank and Katrina Basile Theater in the Indiana History Center, Indianapolis, IN

I will complete my manuscript. I continue to grow as an affiliate with Amherst Writers & Artists inspiring others to tell their stories. I also write original stories to share with audiences in addition to sharing classic tales for children and adults. Storytelling is more of a performative version of communication for me.

Identifying Your Strengths—

Woo, Positivity, Achiever, Intellect, and Ideation: those were the five strengths I received nearly a decade ago during a corporate session using the CliftonStrengths assessment. Our sales manager gave each team member a set of “reminder” stones engraved with our key strengths. They still have a prominent place in my home office.

I added one more: “Luck.” (It’s not part of the CliftonStrengths methodology.) But in my sales career, a lucky break sometimes helped seal the deal.

The CliftonStrengths assessment ranges in price—from $9.99 (without the book, which may be available at your local library) to an $89 version that lists all 34 of your talent themes in rank order.

If you're looking for a free, scientifically validated option, consider the HIGH5 Test. It takes about 20 minutes to complete. While I haven’t used it personally, friends of mine speak highly of it. One nonprofit team I know used it across their staff and reported positive results. HIGH5 is a no-cost way to get insight into your strengths.

There are also well-known assessments like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), which focuses on personality types, and DISC, which categorizes behavior traits into Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. I’ve found both tools helpful for teams trying to understand one another’s work styles and improve communication.

A DIY approach is simply to ask those who interact with you regularly what they think your strengths are. While it may not be scientifically validated, it’s a great starting point. It’s an interesting exercise in alignment—do other people see you the way you see yourself? Identify people who will provide feedback that is objective and sincere.

Bottom Line

Whether you are still employed, running a business or retired and pursuing your passions; leaning into your natural abilities will help you achieve more, develop a more positive mindset, and build stronger relationships. Once you tune into strengths, it is easier to recognize and appreciate others strengths and interact with them in a more positive way. Have a great week and try leveraging your strengths!