Monday, December 15, 2008

Nope. No defintive leadership strengths

Sometimes I am asked, "What strengths are necessary to be an effective leader?" That question leads to an odd response -- "all of them" and "none of them" both seem to work! The reason is, there is NO single strength shared by leaders. The essential component of using your strengths to lead is not possessing a particular strength -- it is knowing and using your own unique combination of strengths in the service of leadership that creates effective leadership.

Donald Clifton researched leader strengths for 30 years. You know his name -- after his death, the StrengthsFinder instrument was renamed to honor him, the Clifton StengthsFinder. When asked about his greatest discovery after all those years of research, Clifton replied: "A leader needs to know his strengths as a carpenter knows his tools, or a physician knows the instruments at her disposal. What great leaders have in common is that each truly knows his or her strengths -- and can call on the right strength at the right time. This explains why there is no definitive list of characteristics that defines all leaders."

Know your strengths intimately, and apply them when you serve as a leader...that's the key! You already have the right strengths to enable your leadership.

(quote from The Gallup Management Journal newsletter, Finding Your Leadership Strengths published by Gallup Press, Tom Rath and Barry Conchie, December 11 2008)

Monday, December 8, 2008

Who would you hire?

Imagine this scenario: you are choosing between two candidates to fill a position in your organization. Candidate A has no weaknesses relative to the competencies of this position, but nothing stands out as a strength. Candidate B, on the other hand, has a few minor weaknesses but a clear and profound strength in an area critical to success in the job. Whom do you hire?

An interesting question! I read this question in a book titled The Extraordinary Leader by John H. Zenger and my colleague from a few years back, Joesph Folkman. (published by McGraw-Hill in 2002, an updated version of will be released in June, 2009. I've already pre-ordered my copy!)

Zenger and Folkman go on to explain that their research with 8000 leaders ties strengths with "overall effectiveness." Leaders who are perceived to have no strengths are rated, on average, at the 34th percentile in overall effectiveness. Leaders perceived to have one strength (average of 4.5 on a 5.0 scale by raters) move to the 64th percentile in effectiveness. Leaders with two clear strengths move to the 72nd percentile; three strengths moves a leader to the 81st percentile; four strengths is at 89; leaders perceived with five clear, profound strengths score at the 91st percentile for overall effectiveness.

When we understand that developing and knowing our strengths -- whatever those strengths may be -- leads to overall effectiveness, we will be eager to articulate and develop these strengths!

So, whom would you hire? I'll opt for Candidate B myself!

Andrea

Monday, December 1, 2008

An Election of Strength

I have my biases, it is true. I am quite pleased we have a President Elect who makes me feel proud. Last week, my husband ran into Bret and Dot at the grocery store, as he does most Friday mornings. They chat about having grey hair (or is it silver?), and all that goes with it. Even Bret patted Beryl on the back and said -- "I am impressed with what your guy has been doing since November 4. I didn't vote for him, but he is surprising me now!"

It seems that Barack Obama was elected, more than any president I can recall, on the basis of his strengths -- especially his strengths of character. Many political commentators have written of his strengths. He cares about people. He articulates and demonstrates his values. He collaborates. He listens. He has a vision (well, most of the time!) And perhaps the greatest strength of all -- he is able to instill hope.

People, especially at these times, are seeking hope. And we have found the possibility of hope by truly seeing, highlighting, and voting for the strengths of a leader. I heard no one quip, this election, that he or she was voting for the "lesser of two evils." Obama's and John McCain's ability to demonstrate their strengths made this an election of strength. For that, too I am proud.

Andrea