What does “leadership” mean to me? What benefit would I get from improving my leadership skills?

I was discussing with some of my classmates after we had all browsed through the recommended text “Strengths Finder” and I was struck by how all of us really liked the premise of the book – that we should focus on strengths. Around the table we all agreed unanimously that we spend lots of time, effort and energy pinpointing where we are weak in and comparatively (much) less time identifying our strengths. We do that with the people working for us too. Most times, for myself at least, as a typically less demonstrative “Asian” team-leader, I don’t really tell my team “good job” or go on too much about how their knowledge and talents have contributed to the success of a particular project. But if there are areas where they “fall short”, I am quicker to sit down with them to work out how things can be improved.

While this is quite typical, I think all is still not lost. I take comfort that as a leader who “keenly observes” her team, I do intuitively know, and focus on the strengths of my guys. Say for example, when I need to put people together to make up a certain project team I will try to put people together who will complement each other. Or when I am asked for advice when my team-mates are looking for a new job posting, I will help to analyse whether the job will give the opportunity to grow their strengths and just as importantly, challenge them to overcome their weaknesses.

To me, a leader must be able to motivate his people and bring out the best in them. So if I don’t bring back anything from this course except just this idea that we need to identify and focus on strengths – I feel that it would have already changed the way I would interact with my team – in a positive way. As it says in the book, “the key is to be aware of your potential and your limitations”. I am already trying to fit my team and colleagues into the different categories. I can’t wait to get back to work and share this with them! With this book, a least we’ll have a common language from which to start!