Exploring the StrengthsFinder Theme of Command®

When a team is in crisis, who do they turn to? Who surfaces as a leader in chaos?

Have you ever observed someone step up her game when the pressure is on? Or have you known someone who looks ahead and tries to avoid danger?

These people may have the Strength of Command®.

Definition of Command®

A person with the Strength of Command® is inspired to take charge. They are not afraid to impact people where others may fear doing so. Command inspires people to express themselves and their feelings.

People with Command® have a strong desire for strong leadership – they need to have people and situations led well. This person can either be the one who wants to be leading or alongside the leader.

Sometimes a person with Command® is gentle, like a sheepdog – guiding you while protecting you from harm. Other times, Command® is direct, like a military General – telling you what needs to be done to advance a cause. Both are examples of Command®.

Command® knows when to move into action, in the right moment for greatest effectiveness. Not frightened by change, conflict, threat or instability, Command® faces facts head on, challenges others, takes risks, asks people to move out of the way or move into action to achieve – all in a good way.

This Strength is not the absence of fear as much as the presence of courage, it is not afraid to act in fear. People with the Strength of Command® believe one needs to step up and step into fear in order to influence. They have a way to see through the conflict, remove the conflict, and usher in a solution.

Command® matures over time, learning valuable lessons at each crisis point. People with the Strength of Command® step into something chaotic in order to protect others and themselves. They give courage to other people, they bring courage into places of fear, and they see courage within other people. At the end of the day, others are grateful when those with Command® address emergencies, crises, conflict, danger and drama – because there are times when other people do not see these things.

How Command® is Generative

The generative nature of Command® comes when someone steps into an upcoming challenge or threat to bring calm, change, and peace. We have also seen Command® be generative in how someone “stirs it up” because they want to bust something up and create anew for the benefit of a positive impact on others. What may be surprising to many, people with Command® are willing to step into situations that others will naturally avoid. And when they do, others will fall in step.

Examples of Command®

We met a man with Command® who also had many relating themes. On a team, we heard Command® in his voice and in his language, but it was delivered with great kindness and warmth.

“I think its time that we move to the next challenge, everyone. We only have 5 more minutes to go.”

Command® takes charge. One woman who denied having the strength of Command®, interrupted our session to let us know that if we didn’t break for lunch soon, the whole group would be fading. We smiled at her Command® caring for her teammates by making sure their needs were met. No worries, lunch was promptly served.

Your Command®

Do you have the Strength of Command®? Does this resonate with you? How have you seen Command® be generative?