Now, Discover Your StrengthsMarcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton (Free Press, Jan 9, 2001)Reviewed by admin Mon 24 Nov 08 Bob's Rating: There were many things I liked about this book and some that I found difficult. Buckingham’s theme of focusing on one’s strengths rather than weaknesses (as so many development programs and activities do) is an excellent one. He also provides a very good strategy for doing this: 1. How to distinguish your natural talents 2. Having a system to identify your dominant talents 3. Having a common language to describe your talents. Let’s start with the first – “talents”. In talents, Buckingham distinguishes between what is innate and what can be acquired through practice. He categorises one’s expertise into talents, knowledge and skills and makes the quite valid point that a person can improve performance in an area through practice and developing knowledge and skills. However, the extent to which overall performance (or expertise) can be enhanced is limited to the degree of innate talent. I liken this innate talent to aptitude. The system to identify one’s natural talents is based on the StrengthsFinder Profile. This profile is completed on line using a code provided with the purchase of the book. When I tried to log in using my code I was told that I had to register at one of these sites: • StrengthsQuest • Vital Friends • StrengthsExplorer • Bucket Book • Gallup Online As I object to having to do this, it is probably unfair of me to comment on this aspect of the book other than to say that I think the idea of a system such as a questionnaire to identify one’s talents is a good one. The final aspect a “common language” is fully outlined in the 34 themes of StrengthsFinder. Two points I would make about these. Firstly, from the text I think it would be hard to identify in others these 34 patterns in others. I also found the description of these to be a little light on. On balance, this book is worthy of note for its emphasis on strengths and in awakening us to the notion of “natural talents” – worthy of a read for this point. Choose yourself whether you want to take the test. |
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