3 tips for focusing on when you are both 'helicoptering & hands-on'

How to clarify your ‘A’ talent? One clue can be found in identifying situations where you balance seeming paradoxes – such as when you are simultaneously ‘helicoptering’ and ‘hands-on’. You see the big picture and also have attention to detail. Let’s consider how you can capitalise on this talent.

* You can clarify the situation where you are helicoptering & hands-on.

“The first time I experienced this sensation was when I was running a family therapy session,” said one person. “This sounds odd - but suddenly it felt as if I was hovering above people in the room. Looking from above, I could clearly see the family communication patterns. At the same time I was still completely involved in the face-to-face communication with each person. Now I have a similar experience when teaching large groups. Whilst speaking from the front, I see the smallest movement made by each person. That helps me to see patterns and, if necessary, change tack to get results.”

Where does this happen for you? You may be tackling a crisis, solving a problem, performing creative work or whatever. Try completing the following sentence.

The specific situation where I am both helicoptering and hands-on is:

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* You can clarify what you do right in the situation where you are helicoptering & hands-on.

What do you do right when you see the big picture but also practice your skills? Great performers often find it hard to explain their gift. One international footballer was known for making defence-splitting passes. He had a ‘sixth sense’ for seeing everything on the field – plus the talent needed to pass the ball beautifully. How did the player produce such magic? After some probing, it emerged that he constantly rehearsed potential scenarios that might occur during a match. Then – when these scenarios emerged - he employed the strategy and skills required to deliver success. What do you do well in the places where you excel? How can you keep improving these talents? Try completing the following sentences.

The specific things I do right in the situation where I am helicoptering and hands-on are:

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The specific things I can do to keep improving these talents are:

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* You can keep putting yourself into the situation where you are helicoptering & hands-on.

Great performers capitalise on their ‘A’ talent. They find or create a specific niche and, once they strike gold, keep mining this rich vein. (They do not dig for years, find gold and then say: “Oh, let’s leave this seam and find another.”) Sometimes it is easy to underrate our gift. One person said: “Because it came so naturally, I did not think my work was anything special.” They also overlooked the fact that they had been working at perfecting it for many years. How can you keep making full use of your talents? Try completing the following sentence.

The specific things I can do to keep putting myself into situations where I am helicoptering and hands-on are:

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You can find many exercises for finding your 'A' talent in the free download The Strengths Pack, which can be found:

Here