The Transformational Nature of Strengths

Creating and sustaining a strong internal culture is one of the best things you can do to help your organization grow. Having team members and employees who are engaged at a high level is something that benefits everyone.

At Leadership Vision, we have a unique distinction that we bring to the work we’re doing with Strengths. It’s a lens we look through that informs us, and our clients, about our perspective on implementing Strengths-Based Organizational Culture. As you get to know us, it’s important to understand this framework, as it indeed is the bedrock of all that we do.

In today’s episode, we will talk about Strengths as being descriptive, generative, environmental and transformational. Those words take some unpacking, so stick around to hear Brian, and I walk through our four differentiators, and also share a tip about how to apply the big idea to yourself or your organization.

Defining The Terms

Listen to the podcast episode (or read this post) for more details on each of our four distinctions. Below are some quick definitions.

A descriptive approach is one that is dynamic and open to multiple interpretations. Your strengths results describe possible behaviors (talents) that make up your theme. The words alone do not define you as a person. They are great tools we use to help you better understand why you do what you do, and how that impacts your team.

A generative approach looks for the way the behaviors in those themes are giving life to you and others. Think of it like the water spout on the outside of your house. That is a theme of strength.

Those with a positive experience with strengths AND an environment where strengths are expected, encouraged, leveraged and cultivated are reported to be 30 – 60% more engaged. Positive, sustainable change can only happen through intentionally building an environment to support it.

Strengths become transformational when they give you a platform to understand yourself. They become transformational when they help you create an environment for growth and give life to you and to others.