The CliftonStrengths framework divides the 34 strengths into four categories – Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building, and Strategic Thinking.
While we may or may not have strengths surface in these four areas, we all need to do these four activities in our roles both at work and at home.
Naturally, we could find ourselves leaning into one and pulling away from another.
My Perspective
I think an interesting exercise would be to take a pause and consider the last week on these dimensions:
Executing – This is all about getting things done, checking tasks off the list, and moving the work forward. We could think about the accomplishments and work completed.
Influencing – These are the times during the week when we worked to persuade others on our POV. This could have been a presentation at work that has been in progress for months or swaying your family to your recommendation of what to have for dinner.
Relationship Building – A full schedule of meetings does not qualify as relationship building. This attribute is about deepening a relationship with someone else. It’s OK if the moment happened in a meeting, but think about the connections, not the full calendar.
Strategic Thinking – Here we are connecting dots, generating ideas, analyzing results, and planning. This analysis and idea exploration can happen alone or in groups with others.
My Story
What I notice when I consider my last week (and most weeks) is that I don’t have to think about executing and strategic thinking.
My strengths make those my unconscious default.
I’m scanning information, generating ideas, connecting dots, making lists, following routines, and completing to-do’s.
The other two – influencing and relationship building – are more difficult for me.
I need to work on them both with intention.
Because they are not intuitive, they are the areas where a lack of confidence can creep in.
I might overthink my approach and need to put these areas on my to-do list to make them happen.
Your Turn
Which of these four areas do you lean into without thinking?
Do you know the strengths you leverage?
How do you make sure all four are present both at work and at home?