Over last weekend, I took 'Strengths Finder 2.0' test and read the book (with the same title). While I had known this test for several years, I never actually took one. The reason this time around was a mandate from my boss … he had planned on a team building event and wanted all of us to take the test in preparation to this event. But now I am happy that I read the book and took the test.
At its core, the book asks you to focus on your strengths (and try not to focus on ‘fixing’ weaknesses). To help you with that, the test finds out your top 5 strengths and suggests actions to leverage them. Pretty simple stuff; without too many jargons.
What gave me satisfaction (and assurance) was the list of my strengths … and their descriptions. It turns out that a) I can identify strengths in other people and can help them focus on those strengths & b) I am naturally good at working with students and mentoring them. Due to my interests in Education field and my working with educational institutes, lots of students come to me … for career guidance, for help with their projects, to bounce off their entrepreneurial ideas, for understanding how to transition from college life to industry life, or just to use me as sounding board. I am really happy that I am working from my position of strengths.
But what if I was not leveraging my strengths … more importantly, what if I did not know what my strengths were? Frankly, that would have been detrimental to my professional career. I do believe that I have had a reasonably good career so far … and luckily I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey.
But, I did not always know what was best for me; let alone knowing my strengths. I was lucky to get good guidance in every stage of my career, from someone who acted as my mentor / guru and was an expert in my chosen field (of IT services). Looking back, I do think that having access to such a mentor / guide / guru / expert, has been one of the most important factors in shaping my career.
Now, I and some of my colleagues, are trying to extend the same help to students. We are creating a group of right Industry Experts to act as Mentors … and we are also developing an easy access platform … to bring together Students and Industry Experts. I truly believe that we will make a difference. We will be able to provide the guidance and help to students in choosing their careers and in maximizing their strengths.
Interested? Stay tuned for more info on this initiative.
