Training To Your Strengths
by
One of the first culture aspects of Rackspace that I experienced was “Strengths”.
There are a number of sources that you can research to learn more about the topic, but I would recommend you start with the book StrengthFinder 2.0.
You can also read two posts from our very own Kathy Kersten. She shares some great insights that will get you thinking about the topic!
Without bringing you through my entire history with Strengths, I will tell you that the topic made a profound impact on my life – professionally and personally.
Taking the evaluation and studying how StrengthsFinder works, teaches us that we each have a set of natural talents. Once identified, we are better able to target training and development that will help us move a talent through the process towards becoming a Strength.
So, for instance, one of my top Strengths is Communication. In StrengthsFinder 2.0, this is part of the definition:
“You like to explain, to describe, to host, to speak in public, and to write. This is your Communication theme at work. Ideas are a dry beginning. Events are static. You feel a need to bring them to life, to energize them, to make them exciting and vivid.”
This is very true of my nature. I’ve always enjoyed telling stories, explaining ideas and speaking in front of groups. Engaging in the act puts me under, what feels like, a kind of spell.
Stand and Deliver – Rackspace University
One of the keys to Strengths is pursuing education and training that compliments what we are naturally talented at.
Last week, I signed up for and attended a two-day course on delivering presentations, public speaking and overall delivery methods – it was fantastic!
Mary Rauch led the training and brought us through a number of exercises to improve our performance. We were even videotaped and went through the process of critiquing as a group – a little nerve racking, but well worth it.
It felt great to know that I was investing my time in learning about a topic that I can actually do something with – training which takes full advantage of a trait that comes naturally to me.
I think we grow used to focusing on our shortcomings at the price of developing in the areas we have the highest likelihood to succeed.
Rackspace University offers a variety of classes for Rackers. Everything from certification training to speech classes – it’s a wide range and it just keeps growing.
The moral of this story is simple…
You were given a set of traits that are incredibly unique to you. Provided with the appropriate training, you can become world class in those areas and really move to the next level.
So, instead of investing all of your education dollars in compensating for a weak area, I challenge you to consider spending your time, energy and money on training that makes you stronger.
Dedicate to what you are naturally gifted at. Do everything in your power to move your natural gifts from talents to Strengths. Not only will you be fulfilled, the world will benefit from your efforts.
