Leadership and Self-Awareness of Strengths

Return on Investment (ROI) is always cited at meetings before strategies are agreed to. What is the return of this product line, market segment, sales distribution network, new production equipment, marketing budget, inventory dollars or pending software program? And yet, how often do we invest or discuss in the ROI of our people – or in collective strategies of our team’s strengths?

Are leadership teams a product of circumstance more than design? Was your last hire made based on the strengths as the best compliment to those of the existing team members? As a leader, do you prefer loyalty over brilliance?

What great leaders have in common is that each truly knows her or his strengths – and can call on the right strength at the right time. Leaders have an extreme self-awareness level of themselves and those around them. Perhaps this is why there is no definitive list of characteristics that describe all leaders.

In the book called, “Strengths-Based Leadership”, Tom Rath discusses the possibilities when people have “the opportunity to do what they do best every day” – playing to their strengths, it will boost an organizations overall engagement and productivity. It is a brilliant read and demands action for you to increase the self-awareness of your strengths and those around you. The on-line assessment brings all the credibility that you will need to re-organize and energize your team’s strength.

As I consider profitability of businesses every day, I seldom examine the “one” leader anymore as the saving grace. I consider the better strategy for growth and deeper question, suggested by Tom in his book, “Why people follow the most influential leaders in their life?” Interesting enough, it can be summarized as:

• The most effective leaders are always investing in strengths
• The most effective leaders surround themselves with the right people and then maximize their team
• The most effective leaders understand their followers’ needs of trust, compassion, stability and hope

It is all about the strengths of people. We know that – the 3 P’s. People, Productivity and Profits…..we just seldom do very much about the “P” for people.

I just decided that how can I blog about financial matters without discussing where there is great potential to increase the awareness of where some real money lies. By engaging our colleagues, the results from a strengths-based approach will create more rapid individual and organizational growth than traditional methods. I only wish I had read the book 20 years ago….

I would welcome hearing from you on how your last, great read impacted your results. One of my strengths is that of a Learner – hence, I can’t help but ask. Please keep in touch with me on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.