The Strengths Way

Saturday, 11 August 2007

3 tips for focusing on drive, detail & delivery


There are many ways to build on your strengths. One approach is to identify the activities in which you score highly on drive, detail and delivery. “I score at least 8/10 in all three areas when I am running workshops,” said one person. “I love sharing knowledge; enjoy designing and facilitating the workshop; and get good feedback from delegates. It feels like I have discovered what I do best.” Where does this happen for you?
Start by brainstorming all the activities in which you score highly on the 3 D’s. Then focus on one activity in which you want to specialise.

The 3 D’s. The specific activities in which I score highly on drive, detail & delivery are:

*

The specific activity in which I would like to specialise is:

*

Looking at this activity, let’s explore how you rate yourself on the 3 D’s.

* Drive.

Motivation is crucial – so make sure your motivation to do this activity is at least 9/10. Sometimes we find our desire to do some jobs begins to diminish. One customer service director said: “People say I am great at running customer service initiatives, but my drive to lead yet another project is only 3/10. Now I want to take on an MD role and run a complete business. Yes, I must develop the knowledge required to lead a company. But I am prepared to do everything possible to produce at least a 9/10 in delivering success.” Looking at your chosen activity, try completing the following sentences.

Drive. The extent to which I have a strong drive to do this activity is: ___ / 10

The things I can do to improve - or maintain - this rating are:

*

* Detail.

Peak performers have great attention to detail in the activities where they excel. One marketing director told me: “I get bored with the detail.” When preparing for a TV interview, however, he kept rehearsing until he had an answer for every possible question. “But that is different,” he said. “I love doing television interviews and want to make sure I have covered every angle.” What he meant in his original statement was: “I get bored with the detail in those areas that don’t interest me.” Looking at the activity in which you do superb work, rate your attention to detail. Make sure it is at least 8/10. Try completing the following sentences.

Detail. The extent to which I have a attention to detail when doing this activity is: ___ / 10

The things I can do to improve - or maintain - this rating are:

*

* Delivery.

How good are you at finishing? People buy what you complete - so rate yourself on delivery. “Exploring this aspect was illuminating and changed the direction of my career,” said one environmental journalist. “Looking back at the magazine articles I wrote, there were differences in their quality. They all got published - but some were more satisfying and made more impact. Looking at the best, they highlighted practical initiatives taken to improve the environment, rather than spreading more ‘doom and gloom’. Now I concentrate on writing articles that provide people with practical hope.” Looking at the activity in which you do superb work, rate your delivery. Try completing the following sentences.

Delivery. The extent to which I deliver the goods when doing this activity is: ___ / 10

The things I can do to improve - or maintain - this rating are:

*

Great performers excel at the 3 D’s. So keep putting yourself into the situations where you score highly on drive, detail and delivery.
You can find many more exercises on this theme in the free download The Strengths Pack, which is available from:

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