Elements of Strength
Leadership
August 24, 2009
Mike Henry
Operations and IT Consultant
Topics
Change, elements, energy, Leadership, over-achiever, Passion, Resources, Strengths, talent, timeHave you ever noticed that some people seem to get more done and have more life than everyone else? You seem to notice them everywhere doing everything. They seem to complete two lifetimes while you're fighting just to get your kids to school. Why do they seem to have more energy or accomplish far more than everyone else? What's their secret? What makes them different?
Time is the great equalizer
Even though some people seem to have an extra allotment of time, we all get the same amount. It doesn't matter how rich or poor you are. You can't really buy more of it. You can't save it and you can't stop it. No matter what, time marches on. Time is what it is. So more time isn't the differentiator.
Resources
Money or resources can't be the differentiator either. Too many poor people qualify as over-achievers, and we all know stories of how people with resources never seem to accomplish anything. Think of all of the resources wasted in America alone. Many a poor person became rich after they achieved; many a rich person became poor without accomplishing anything.
Since time is fixed and money doesn't seem to make the difference, what distinguishes over-achievers from the rest of us?
The Keys
The key elements of strengths seem to be energy, talent, and passion. I call the combination of these three things your strengths. So think about what you consider your strengths to be. Are those the areas where you devote your energy? Do you have a natural talent in those areas? Are you passionate about that strength or activity?
Or,flip it around. How are you spending your time?
- Are you energized by what you’re doing?
- Do you have a natural talent for it?
- Are you passionate about it?
You’ll know you’re in an area of strength when you can answer yes to all three. Anything short of that is less than best. How do your strengths measure up?
Are you using your strengths to your advantage?
Who are some of the great leaders you have worked with and learned from?
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Nicely said, Mike! I would also add “values” to the list of things needed to support your stengths. If you can leverage your strengths to fulfill your priorities/value system, that seems to make your energy-level and passion even greater!!
Erin, thanks for the comment. I agree that values are important. Values guide our strengths. I’m working on a separate series of posts about values because strengths can be dangerous to ourselves and others without the guidance of well defined values.
.-= Mike Henry´s last blog ..Elements of Strength =-.
Great post, Mike, and so true! I also believe it is largely about being in the moment. Time becomes elastic when you are enjoying every minute of it, using it to express your passion, develop your talent, harness your energy! True focus is not about sticking to one thing, it is about being fully present in each thing you do! 😉
Monica, you’re right on. When we get to freely utilize our strengths and we’re “in the flow,” time not only stands still, but we accomplish so much more. Our energy, talents and passion make us much more effective and engaged.
.-= Mike Henry´s last blog ..Elements of Strength =-.
Good post Mike,
I would add that strength, as you defined it (energy, talent and passion), is also released when an individual is in the right working environment and structure and their strength is restricted when an individual is in the wrong working environment and structure. When a leader seems to achieve twice as much as others, they almost invariably have a work style match, a heart match with the organization’s vision, a talent match for the task at hand and spirit match with the leadership and their peers.
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