Issue 8: What are they paying you for?
All being well, every month our employers transfer money into our bank accounts. But why? Based on many conversations with bosses, supervisors and colleagues, we could be forgiven for thinking that we are paid for our weaknesses; for what we do wrong, and for what we have not done! The focus is often on development by correction.
But it seems that this is pretty natural. Psychological research points to the fact people generally have to work harder to focus on the good in ourselves, others and situations than we do on the bad. (Baumeister 2001) For example have you ever found yourself waiting for the “…but” when given praise?
The reality is though that we are paid for our strengths, for what we do right, for what we achieve. We recruit and are recruited and remunerated for the gifts and the value we bring to our organisation. We don’t hire people for their weaknesses!
So let’s be open, honest and actively conscious of this fact. Doing so can greatly improve our confidence, performance and job satisfaction.
In MRD Team and Leadership programmes we use Insights Discovery colour model to help our delegates focus on their strengths (new to the Insights colours? Learn more here)
Through parts of their Discovery profiles such as the ‘Value to the team’ and ‘Strengths’ chapters they can easily tap into them. Here are some of the most common colourful strengths they select.
Fiery Red
- Direct and to the point
- Takes action
- Brings clarity to the situation
- Realistic and pragmatic problem solver
- Fights for the team
Sunshine Yellow
- Brings a sense of fun to the every day
- Presents confidently
- Imaginative problem solver
- Builds a strong and wide network of friends and contacts
- Optimistic approach to work and life’s challenges
Earth Green
- Effective mediator and peacemaker
- Natural and empathetic listener
- Works for and with the team
- Builds consensus
- Stops to ask why and considers impact on people
Cool Blue
- Brings clarity through analysing and organising the facts
- Takes responsibilities seriously
- Matter of Fact and straight forward
- Stays calm and rational under pressure
- Looks before they leap
Which colour energies make up your main strengths? Understanding our style and natural areas of excellence is a powerful way to motivate ourselves and recognising it in our colleagues helps get the best from them.
Clearly experience shows that a healthy awareness of our potential weaknesses and of where we are not naturally strong is needed. Identifying your least preferred colour energy show powerfully where our strengths don’t naturally lie. Stretching out of our comfort zone and creating balance by connecting with that style is exhilarating and fulfilling.
But too often this is where the main focus is! Don’t neglect or overlook the strengths; they’re more powerful and far more sustainable.
So, as an individual feel good about yourself and the gifts you bring. If you are responsible for people then reinforce the behaviour you want, reward the value they bring.
Best regards
Marcus
Director
marcus@mrdynamics.com
“Every advance, every achievement of mankind, has been connected with an advance in self awareness.”
C. G. Jung, Psychological Reflections
M R Dynamics ltd are a leading licensed Insights Discovery Distributors of Insights Discovery Profiles and Training.
We work with organisations to improve business performance through developing skills, attitudes and capabilities.
Each month we would like to introduce to aspects of our work.
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