Play to Your Strengths

Talents Are The Key

When we're doing what we do best, we're unstoppable. Each of us is born with a unique talent. Our talent is what we do easily and naturally. When we're using our talent, we feel satisfied and fulfilled at the end of the day. If we're not -we feel drained, dull and depleted.

Talents are the key to success. Teams who value each other's talents complete projects early. Organizations who recognize individuals' talents are filled with motivated employees. Managers who help employees use their talents achieve business results.

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Eighty percent of employees feel their jobs are meaningless.

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At work we're frenetically busy, but often feel depleted and not fully engaged. A recent survey indicates eighty percent of employees think their jobs are meaningless. Only fifteen percent of employees say they are contributing their best - and a whopping fifty percent say they're doing just enough to get by. Silently, we know we have more to offer. Our heart hurts and we're depressed.

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At work we're frenetically busy- yet we feel under utilized and not fully engaged.

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When we're not fully contributing, we lack energy and enthusiasm. A computer programmer, who has a knack for creating innovative solutions, is bored because he spends 90% of his time doing routine computer work. A corporate manager is frustrated because she wants to work on customer problems in the field. A new manager longs for the satisfaction he felt as an individual contributor. An entrepreneur misses the thrill of starting something new once the new venture is successful. Each of these individuals thinks: "If only I could find the right job, I'd be happy." But focusing on the right job is not our starting point.

We start by defining our talent. We start by asking: "What am I already good at doing? What is so much a part of my nature, I can't stop doing it?" Our talent already exists. It's not like a career that requires us to get a degree or a promotion in order to be a doctor, educator, or engineer. It's belongs to us. We're using it now.

Once we define our talent, we then ask; "Where can my talent make a real contribution? What job or career lets me use this gift fully?" Defining our talent, first, helps us find the job or career that suits us best.

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When we're doing what we do best, we're unstoppable!

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Invisible Talents

Our talent shows up everywhere we do - at home, work, and in leisure activities. If our talent is organizing, we'll organize our desk, projects, closets, and other people if they let us. If our talent is planning, we'll plan vacations, block parties, school picnics, as well as projects at work. If we're a problem solver, we'll discover countless issues at home and work to resolve. Your talent shows up everywhere you do. Our natural talent comes so easy, we assume everyone has the same ability. An innovative systems' analysis is annoyed when co-workers
are "blind" to creative solutions. A long-range planner is frustrated because others don't anticipate obvious problems. A visionary leader feels angry because he's the
only one who sees what's coming down the pike. We expect others to do what we're good at and are disappointed when they can't.

Unrecognized Talents

Unrecognized talents are dangerous. There's an old saying; "To someone with a hammer, everything looks like a nail." A skillful planner thwarts new ideas by being too logical. A take-charge manager prevents others from bring their ideas to the table. A research scientist continues to gather data when it's time to belly up a solution. An entrepreneur takes risks when it's critical to play it safe. As we discover our talent, we learn there are times it gets in our way. We
automatically use our best skill and, sometimes, it's not appropriate to the situation.

Discover Your Unique Talent

There are three essential steps to discovering and using our talent. First we recognize, or see, our unique talent. This is the hardest part. Then we name it succinctly and let others know what we do. Finally we claim our talent by finding more and more ways to contribute it.

Step #1: Seeing It

In order to identify your talent, answer these questions:
What are my favorite projects or activities? at work? at home? in social situations? Answer this question and look for ways you contribute to various situations.
What do I do even when no one is paying me to do it? at home? at work? Answer this question and note when you're making a contribution and it makes you happy.
What do others ask me to do that gives me energy? Answer this question and recognize when others want what you like to give.
At what point do I lose interest and enthusiasm for an activity or project? When d other get annoyed with me? Answer this question and realize when you want to use your talent but it's no longer required.

Step #2: Naming It

The next step is to describe your talent with a simple statement so you can communicate it easily to others. You do this by writing a Talent Statement. Here are few examples:

• I am a creative problem solver who helps others implement their ideas.

• I am a pioneering researcher who helps others appreciate solutions.

• I am an inspirational coach who helps others launch new endeavors.

Your Talent Statement

Use the following formula to write your Talent Statement:
I am a _________________(select an adjective that describes the unique quality you bring to every situation: innovative, creative, clearheaded, easy going, determined, sensible, accurate, inspiring, etc.)
who _________________(select a noun that describes the role you are constantly playing: leader, analyzer, problem solver, coach, planner, organizer, inventor, motivator, etc.)
who helps others _________(describe results or benefit to others when you use your talent: resolve problems, discover new ideas, move off the dime, launch projects, integrate ideas).

Remember to keep your Talent Statement simple.

Step #3: Claiming It

The third step is claiming our talent. We do this by contributing more of what we do best. It requires discipline to stick with our talent.

We can take these actions:

1. Notice when you feel good about what you're doing. Perhaps you feel energized by networking - but completely zapped when balancing your checkbook. Keep track of the activities you enjoy versus what you have to do.
2. Find ways to do more of what you enjoy. This means seeking out activities and projects that require your best talent.
3. Solicit positive feedback from others. Ask: "What do I do really well? What comes easily to me? When do I seem to enjoy my work?"
4. Teach others how to use your best talent. If you're a person who likes to give concrete answers to complex problems, let others know. Name your contribution and how you can be of service in various situations.
5. Stick with your talent. We are easily diverted from our talent by other activities that need to be done. It takes discipline to stay focused on what we do best.

As we use our talent - we nourish ourselves and others with enthusiasm and commitment.

Topics

• Managing Talents and Career