Marcus Buckingham at IHRSA: Awesome!

Second day at the IHRSA/AJHP conference and what a day!

It started off with a fantastic and inspiring keynote from Marcus Buckingham, author of "First Break All the Rules", "Now Discover Your Strengths", and "The One Thing You Need to Know". If you have never seen him in person, he is funny (in a British way), passionate about his subject, and sincere in his delivery.

I will share some of his key messages. Most of us intuitively know what are strengths are when we are young. When we get older, many of us tend to focus on fixing our weaknesses versus focusing on our strengths. The most powerful question to ask yourself and others to determine if one is given the opportunity to work at one's full potential: "At work, do you have the opportunity to do what you do best everyday?" This is best to ask if you are going to have a good team. Buckingham also noted that some people may be delusional as to what they do best every day and sometimes need a reality check.

He shared some interesting statistics to this question: "Which do you think will help you be most successful?" Results for the USA hadn't changed much in eight years. Fifty-nine percent said fixing weaknesses while 41% said build strengths (2000). In 2008, 55% said fixing weaknesses while 45% said build strengths. The Millenials (18-25 years) faired 'worse' in their results with 69% said fixing weaknesses while 31% said build strengths. The results from other countries were opposite of the USA. In the UK, 54% said build strength while 46% said fix weaknessses. In India, 56% said build strength while 44% said fix weaknessses. In China, an astounding 73% said build strength while 27% said fix weaknessses. What does this say about entrepreneurialism? No wonder China has become a powerhouse in business over the years.

How can one play at his/her strengths most of the time? Buckingham shared three main points. First, get thinking clear and bust the myths. What myths are you clinging to that could be holding your back. He shared three myths and their corresponding truth.

Myth 1: As you grow your personality changes.
Truth 1: As you grow you become more of who you already are.

Myth 2: You will grow the most in your areas of greatest weakness.
Truth 2: You will grow most in the areas you are already strong.

Myth 3: A good team member does whatever it takes to help the team.
Truth 3: A good team member deliberately volunteers his/her strengths to the team most of the time.

The second way to play at one's strengths is to get clear on what your strengths are. This can take some time. I found reading his book "Now Discover Your Strengths" was useful in clarifying this. Third, plan strong weeks. It is really important to plan that one will have strong weeks in performance. This can keep one focused on their strengths and assist in gaining the momentum towards achieving outcomes.

Living a strength-based life takes courage and assertiveness and there is a risk in 'blossoming'. Buckingham suggested that people committed to making tomorrow a slightly stronger day than today. Everyone will win when you do.