In the previous article, we talked strengths-based planning and how it can help you and your team work together without frustration and overwhelm.
In this article, we will be talking about strengths-based execution. This is where the plan turns to action.
Based on our extensive work with teams and decades of experience in C-level team leadership, we have concluded that the number one key to a well-executed plan is having a dedicated, strengths-based team.
What does a strengths-based team look like? It is…
- Diverse, yet singular in focus.
- Detailed, yet big-picture oriented.
- Dependent, yet independent.
- Decisive, yet informed.
- Daring, yet grounded on a solid foundation.
- Driven, yet quality-conscious.
- Dutiful, yet innovative.
You will not find all these strengths in one person. But you should find all these strengths within one team.
What we have discovered in our strengths mapping sessions is often an imbalance of strengths. Like any imbalance, this causes problems. Those problems are why company leaders come to us, and they are based on the idea that something isn’t working – quality control issues, communication issues, lack of passion, lack of innovation, lack of supporting systems, or lack of real income-based results, for example.
The fact is, none of these are the real issue.
The real issue is imbalance within the team. And that imbalance is in strengths.
For example, if you are an IT company, your focus will likely be heavy on introverted strengths – those who are analytical and process oriented. This is critical to your business. But what you may be missing – and what may be affecting your production and bottom line – are the extroverted strengths of a driver to keep things moving and an innovator to market the high quality product and processes your introverted team members have created.
If you are a marketing company, you know the pace can be incessant. You likely have an imbalance toward extroverts – fast-driving, fast-connecting individuals who ensure you are always ahead of the idea curve. These are critical in your business. But you may be missing the key foundational elements of quality, supporting systems, and detailed follow-up that would be provided by a strong base of introverted team members.
As you review your goals from a strengths-based perspective, also review the makeup of your team.
- Is there an imbalance?
- Do you need to bring in new team members to span the gap and ensure that the goals are executed quickly and with high innovation, yet with quality and efficient processes as the foundation?
- What do you need to make your team work based on strengths?
If you need help with a gap analysis for your team, please contact us for information on strengths-based team mapping for strengths-based execution. This one action has the potential to transform your company’s bottom line – and to create a great and highly functional team in the process.
As the CEO of Strength Leader Development, Deb Ingino is a highly sought-after international executive mentor, coach, trainer and speaker. Deb is well versed in global business operations and helps business leaders and their teams to discover and leverage their strengths, so they can create highly collaborative teams that deliver great results. With a refreshingly direct style, Deb helps leaders and their teams to deliver profitable results. Connect with Deb to learn more about her mentorship and coaching programs to equip you with advanced strategies to elevate your results.
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