Ever wondered what goes on in your bosses and colleagues minds? What they are thinking about as you’re delivering a presentation during a meeting?
Ever had a conversation where they said something that you really, really don’t understand and got you all confused, annoyed, or frustrated? Or perhaps you said something that confused, annoyed, or frustrated them, and you just don’t know why they can’t get it?
Don’t you wish you have the ability to enter your bosses’ or colleagues’ minds to understand them better, or to help them to understand you better?
“These aren’t the documents you’re looking for…”
Sadly we have yet to master the art of the Jedi mind tricks.
However, we have mastered the art of CliftonStrengths®. And we can tell you just how the assessment can help you stop wondering and start knowing!
How does CliftonStrengths® help me again?
The CliftonStrengths® assessment is a psychometric tool that helps individuals identify their unique talents. It gives you an insight into the way you naturally think, feel and behave. That’s entering your own mind, and figuring how and why you are wired the way you are. It gives you that confidence in being yourself, the way you truly are.
Okay.. So how can I read my bosses/colleagues minds with CliftonStrengths®?
Talent themes are the source of everything a person does. It drives the work that they do, how they communicate with each other, how they relate to one another… The possibilities are infinite.
It helps you understand WHAT they say, and WHY they said it. It helps you understand why they BEHAVE a certain way. Now that’s entering the minds of your bosses and colleagues, and knowing how and why they are wired the way they are!
It also helps you be more patient with them because you know EXACTLY why they are so different from you.
Right. But we are so different! How can we ever work well together?
The chances of having the exact same talent themes in the exact same order as someone else is one in 33 million (1:33,000,000)! Yes, it is THAT rare.
In other words, you’re more likely to work with people who are entirely different from you, rather than think exactly the way you do. It is something you just cannot avoid.
So instead of spending time trying to get them to think like you, it’s best to make the most out of the situation by LEVERAGING on each other’s differences.
And the benefits of having totally different, unique individuals in a team is endless! Imagine all the positive possibilities your team can achieve together, as unique minds collaborate on one simple idea.
Imagine how much higher your team will perform as people learn how to work better together, THROUGH understanding each other better.
Cool! So… Can I get a free tip to help me get started?
Okay, here’s a bonus hack just for you for reading this far down: Knowing the talent themes of your bosses and colleagues will also help you learn how to easily convince them to get onboard your pitches and ideas.
For example, if you’re doing a presentation and you know that your boss has the Achiever talent theme, it’s your best bet to start the presentation by stating the end objective. Most Achievers are excited about setting goals and accomplishing them. Show your boss that end goal or target, and lay out the steps towards achieving those goals. Your boss will definitely appreciate this. And chances are it’ll be much easier for you to win over your boss!
So there, this is just one of countless possibilities that the CliftonStrengths® assessment can benefit you and your team. But like we’ve said, the possibilities are ENDLESS.
So go crazy! Be creative with your talent themes, and you’ll find that the benefits it will bring about is priceless!
StrengthsAsia has helped many individual and corporate clients all throughout the region in identifying and maximizing their talents, in driving engagement and increasing motivation in their work and life.
If you want to learn more about the 34 talent themes or discover how you can apply your talent themes in your team or in the areas of your work and your life, feel free to reach out to us here.
If you find this article to be helpful, you might also like our FREE Engaging Teams guide down below.
Aly is StrengthsAsia’s marketing and communications guru and lead editor. She's over the top inquisitive and everyone in the company knows her as “The Googler” as she practically googles everything. Honestly, we all worry for her… She is also the Principal Trainer for our one of a kind ice cream team building workshops in Asia.