Episode 63: The Many Sides of Your Strengths
Not Always As They Seem…
Even our strengths are not one dimensional. They can teach us so much more.
Enjoy!
Listen Here:
(The notes below are only a brief summary of what is discussed in the podcast. Be sure to listen to get all of the goodness! If you would like a full transcription of the episode, please send an email request to: angie@angie-robinson.com. We’d be happy to provide that!)
Note: In this episode - I reference my specific Insights® profile (a personality assessment). If you have any type of personality assessment or other work that identifies your strengths - you might want to grab it!
When you think about strengths – you most likely think about the power they have, the advantage the present…all of the ‘good’ stuff – which you should. That is the beauty of a strength, right?
But a strength as many sides to it - there are many ways to look at them.
The ‘sides’ I’m going to reference are:
Upside
Untapped Side or Underplayed
Over Stretched or Over Used Side (sometimes called the “Shadow Side”)
Blind Side
I like understanding what the actual dictionary definition of words are when I spend any significant time focusing on them. When you look up “strength” – there are actually five versions of the definition.
Of course, there is ‘physically strong’, the influence or power that a person, organization, or country has, the degree of intensity of a feeling or a belief and the intensity of an argument.
Another definition is the capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or pressure.
A third definition is the emotional or mental qualities necessary in dealing with situations or events that are distressing or difficult.
There is also the potency or degree of concentration of a drug, chemical, or drink.
Another definition is around the number of people comprising a group, typically a team or army.
The definition that fits this purpose is:
a good or beneficial quality or attribute of a person or thing.
Leadership Strengths, specifically, are traits and qualities that serve leaders well, helping them to more effectively lead, manage, and motivate their followers (you can put that in any context – not just leadership).
Why Having a View of All Sides of Strengths Is a Good Idea
Most things are not just one dimensional – characteristics and attributes included. When we look at something in just one way – we might be missing out on other valuable information that can help us really be intentional, really be our best selves and really get the results we most want.
Let’s dig into talking about these sides. What I’m going to do is share three of the ‘strengths’ statements from my own Insights® profile and one other superpower I’ve identified and as I talk about the different sides – I will use those strengths as a way to provide an example.
The four strengths I will use are:
Realistic and cautious
Focuses on the day-to-day
Looks for the harmony in every situation
Superpower: empathy
As you read them - you probably had your own reaction. Strengths, like anything, are subjective and will vary based on perception. They all have value – even if it’s something that someone else cringes at….
Upside. The strength is a strength for a reason. We are good at them. Whether they come naturally or it’s something that you’ve intentionally built up – you are good at it – it serves you and others – it can help you in your work. And it really lands on the ‘upside’ when you leverage it versus ignoring or squishing it (which we will talk about next).
Here are examples of my strengths can be viewed from the lens of UPSIDE:
Realistic and cautious. Keep things on track. May avoid unnecessary burden, expenses, hardships, wasted time, etc.
Focuses on the day-to-day. Accomplish immediate, necessary tasks. Don’t get behind.
Looks for the harmony in every situation. Directs focus and energy that is helpful. Don’t allow much time on the unhelpful. Creates environment of collaboration, respect, etc.
Superpower: empathy. Creates connections, truly values people and their experiences. People feel heard and valued – like they matter.
Untapped or Underplayed Side. This is where we are either not aware of what our strengths are (or we just don’t think about things we are innately good at as a strength) or we actually hide or squish a strength. When something is innate to us – we may not recognize it as a strength. In turn – we may not intentionally leverage something that would actually be helpful. Others and situations miss out on those strengths. This is one reason why doing some type of valid assessment and/or working with a coach can be so valuable.
We might underplay, hide or squish strengths because of the thoughts you might have. In a recent Insights® session, we were sharing top strengths. One participant said, “Mine are all so boring. They are not fun.” Why would we bring light to something about us that we think is boring? Also - we might compare our strengths to someone else’s and not feel good about them.
Here are examples of my strengths can be viewed from the lens of UNTAPPED or UNDERPLAYED:
Realistic and cautious. I might think that this strength doesn’t feel too exciting and choose to not call out red flags I see in a group initiative.
Overstretched or Overused Side. This is sometimes called the “Shadow Side”. This is when our strengths could actually get in our way. Another thing that can happen is we aren’t open to other ways of doing things.
Here are examples of my strengths can be viewed from the lens of OVERSTRETCHED or OVERUSED:
Realistic and cautious. I might not take risks and get stuck in one way of doing things. I might not allow space for other possibilities.
Focuses on the day-to-day. If I spend so much time on the day-to-day - I might leave a limited time focusing on the future, missing out on the opportunity to create big shifts or changes.
Looks for the harmony in every situation. I might avoid conflict. Sometimes when things are challenging - that is where the information about the root of issues might be - I could risk missing out on that.
Superpower: empathy. I may get ‘too invested’ in other people’s emotions and burdens. That can be emotionally tiring.
Here is a good thing to note…..I happen to have quite a bit of awareness about when I overstretch or overuse a strength. The good news is that awareness allows me to manage that! You can dial up and dial down any behavior any time. Awareness is so critical.
Blind Side. This is when we think that our strengths are the most important strengths, or we aren’t aware that others may not see them as strengths.
Here are examples of my strengths can be viewed from the lens of BLIND SIDE:
Realistic and cautious. Others might see that as annoying or as a hinderance to progress.
Focuses on the day-to-day. This could be frustrating for visionaries.
Looks for the harmony in every situation. People might feel minimized if their raw, uncomfortable feelings are not recongnized.
Superpower: empathy. Someone might just want solutions.
Leveraging ALL Sides of Your Strengths
By looking at and being intentional with how to best utilize your strengths from all sides will take you to the next level. It is completely possible. It simply takes awareness, ownership and intention.
Think about how sharing this with your team (your leaders and/or your direct reports) could be very beneficial. And just imagine how working with a coach 1:1 or as a group would really take you and/or your team to the next level!
What do you think?
Examine your own strengths and notice the different sides. What would be different if you leveraged them even more? What would be different if you focuses on when they might get in the way?
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