Misconceptions about strengths
God created you and those around you with unique strengths and has placed you together to be more together than you can be alone. But misconceptions can get in the way of learning to lead from your strengths. This series reveals common misconceptions about strengths and the truths behind the myths.
MISCONCEPTION #1: A FOCUS ON STRENGTHS INDICATES PRIDE
Scripture tells us, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us” (Romans 12:6, NIV).
You can’t deny it: you have strengths. But you may fear that you coax along the sin of pride by acknowledging them.
The reasoning goes like this: strengths show how you are uniquely gifted. The concession that you are special indicates self-importance associated with pride. Pride, an inwardly-directed emotion, is an inflated sense of self-importance. Throughout scripture we are warned about the sin of pride, encouraged to identify it, and urged to root it out of our hearts.
Does focus on your strengths cultivate pride? The issue isn’t your strengths. The issue is your focus.
How do you use your strengths?
The key lies in the second phrase of Romans 12:6 – “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.”
Your strengths are given to you by God’s grace. Whatever strengths you possess stem from God’s unmerited favor towards you and have been woven into your life by God to be used to reflect His glory.
To appropriate their origin as your own handiwork is to attempt to steal the credit from Him and use it for yourself. Pride takes credit where credit is not due.
Yet it’s also a sin to ignore your strengths. (read the rest of the article)
MISCONCEPTION #1: A FOCUS ON STRENGTHS INDICATES PRIDE
Scripture tells us, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us” (Romans 12:6, NIV).
You can’t deny it: you have strengths. But you may fear that you coax along the sin of pride by acknowledging them.
The reasoning goes like this: strengths show how you are uniquely gifted. The concession that you are special indicates self-importance associated with pride. Pride, an inwardly-directed emotion, is an inflated sense of self-importance. Throughout scripture we are warned about the sin of pride, encouraged to identify it, and urged to root it out of our hearts.
Does focus on your strengths cultivate pride? The issue isn’t your strengths. The issue is your focus.
How do you use your strengths?
The key lies in the second phrase of Romans 12:6 – “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.”
Your strengths are given to you by God’s grace. Whatever strengths you possess stem from God’s unmerited favor towards you and have been woven into your life by God to be used to reflect His glory.
To appropriate their origin as your own handiwork is to attempt to steal the credit from Him and use it for yourself. Pride takes credit where credit is not due.
Yet it’s also a sin to ignore your strengths. (read the rest of the article)
MISCONCEPTIONS #2 : SOME STRENGTHS ARE MORE VALUABLE THAN OTHERS
Bertie is quiet. She is the kind of person that is easy to overlook – a gentle spirit whose agreeable, unassuming nature and low-keyed approach to problem solving make her likeable.
But the few who know Bertie well cite her determination in facing risks as her greatest strength. Bertie has a powerful intercessory prayer life. It is not unusual for her to pray bold, even radical, prayers and experience amazing impact. “Bertie is a risk-taker,” says her long-time pastor. “She is fearless in facing spiritual battles.”
In contrast, Bertie’s sister-in-law Lou Ann was energetic and effervescent, known for her dynamic personality and ability to get things done. People flock to Lou Ann. Her ability to make quick decisions and convince others to join in activities puts her front-and-center in managing events, public speaking, and engaging community members.
Which set of strengths is more valuable – Bertie’s quiet, behind-the-scenes persistence or Lou Ann’s magnetic draw?
read on for the answer
Bertie is quiet. She is the kind of person that is easy to overlook – a gentle spirit whose agreeable, unassuming nature and low-keyed approach to problem solving make her likeable.
But the few who know Bertie well cite her determination in facing risks as her greatest strength. Bertie has a powerful intercessory prayer life. It is not unusual for her to pray bold, even radical, prayers and experience amazing impact. “Bertie is a risk-taker,” says her long-time pastor. “She is fearless in facing spiritual battles.”
In contrast, Bertie’s sister-in-law Lou Ann was energetic and effervescent, known for her dynamic personality and ability to get things done. People flock to Lou Ann. Her ability to make quick decisions and convince others to join in activities puts her front-and-center in managing events, public speaking, and engaging community members.
Which set of strengths is more valuable – Bertie’s quiet, behind-the-scenes persistence or Lou Ann’s magnetic draw?
read on for the answer
MISCONCEPTION #3: I SHOULD FOCUS ON MY WEAKNESSES
People are willing to spend plenty to improve themselves economically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. In 2011, the U.S. self-improvement market was worth an estimated $11.17 billion, with a forecasted 5.5% average yearly gain for the next few years. The most popular products target our weaknesses, from 12-step programs (emotional challenges) to how-to books (intellectual or skill challenges) to start-up business guides (financial challenges). Our human perspective bends towards shoring up our weaknesses – those personal qualities we feel we are lacking – and working to get them to the level of our strengths.
This trend to “fix” our weaknesses is documented further by leadership development firm Zenger Folkman, which recently conducted follow up interviews with clients for whom they created personal growth plans. Researchers discovered that 60% of clients continue to be focused on working on their weaknesses 12-18 months after receiving personalized coaching to develop their strengths.
What Does Your Target Look Like?
At first glance, the idea of targeting our weaknesses to bring them up to the level of our strengths makes sense. Naturally, Christ-followers are called to face weaknesses head on and seek to overcome them. In that scenario, we train our practice arrows on our weaknesses, placing them at the target’s center.
God’s view of the target is different. He places our strengths as the bulls-eye on which we should aim – knowing that along the way we’ll hit some of the weaknesses on the target, too.
It is easy to get stuck on what needs to be improved, to the detriment of cultivating our strengths. Yet when we focus on our weaknesses, not our strengths, our target gets off-kilter. A focus on weakness obliterates these three key benefits of leading from your strengths … (read the rest of the article …)
People are willing to spend plenty to improve themselves economically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. In 2011, the U.S. self-improvement market was worth an estimated $11.17 billion, with a forecasted 5.5% average yearly gain for the next few years. The most popular products target our weaknesses, from 12-step programs (emotional challenges) to how-to books (intellectual or skill challenges) to start-up business guides (financial challenges). Our human perspective bends towards shoring up our weaknesses – those personal qualities we feel we are lacking – and working to get them to the level of our strengths.
This trend to “fix” our weaknesses is documented further by leadership development firm Zenger Folkman, which recently conducted follow up interviews with clients for whom they created personal growth plans. Researchers discovered that 60% of clients continue to be focused on working on their weaknesses 12-18 months after receiving personalized coaching to develop their strengths.
What Does Your Target Look Like?
At first glance, the idea of targeting our weaknesses to bring them up to the level of our strengths makes sense. Naturally, Christ-followers are called to face weaknesses head on and seek to overcome them. In that scenario, we train our practice arrows on our weaknesses, placing them at the target’s center.
God’s view of the target is different. He places our strengths as the bulls-eye on which we should aim – knowing that along the way we’ll hit some of the weaknesses on the target, too.
It is easy to get stuck on what needs to be improved, to the detriment of cultivating our strengths. Yet when we focus on our weaknesses, not our strengths, our target gets off-kilter. A focus on weakness obliterates these three key benefits of leading from your strengths … (read the rest of the article …)
MISCONCEPTION #4: HIRE PEOPLE LIKE YOU
Matthew, the lead pastor of a large church, couldn’t understand colleague Tim’s frustration. Members of the congregation were feeling supported, served, and loved. But according to Tim, the executive pastor who had recently joined the team, nothing was getting done – even with a full-time staff of 15.
That’s one reason tension escalated between the two men when a key position opened on the staff. Matthew wanted to hire Candidate A, a creative type who placed a high value on developing relationships. He couldn’t understand Tim’s interest in Candidate B – a methodical finisher with clear organizational skills.
And no wonder. Matthew (like most of his staff) was gifted with people-oriented strengths and functioned best in a service-oriented atmosphere. Tim, meanwhile, was task-oriented. He knew the team needed various strengths represented in order for the ministry to flourish.
Matthew had fallen into a common leadership trap. He believed he should hire people who carried out ministry like he did.
(read the rest of the article …)
Matthew, the lead pastor of a large church, couldn’t understand colleague Tim’s frustration. Members of the congregation were feeling supported, served, and loved. But according to Tim, the executive pastor who had recently joined the team, nothing was getting done – even with a full-time staff of 15.
That’s one reason tension escalated between the two men when a key position opened on the staff. Matthew wanted to hire Candidate A, a creative type who placed a high value on developing relationships. He couldn’t understand Tim’s interest in Candidate B – a methodical finisher with clear organizational skills.
And no wonder. Matthew (like most of his staff) was gifted with people-oriented strengths and functioned best in a service-oriented atmosphere. Tim, meanwhile, was task-oriented. He knew the team needed various strengths represented in order for the ministry to flourish.
Matthew had fallen into a common leadership trap. He believed he should hire people who carried out ministry like he did.
(read the rest of the article …)
MISCONCEPTION #5 : MY STRENGTHS ARE MY DOING, NOT GOD’S
The concept of the “self-made man” – one who achieves success by his own efforts – is deeply rooted in the American Dream. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) coined the rags-to-riches ideal in describing his own journey out of poverty to affluence through hard work, solid morals, and education. The self-made man achieves success without outside assistance.
Or does he?
Against this cultural backdrop, Christ-followers face tension and confusion when grappling with the issue of success. Check out these two widely-accepted myths about self-made success and the truths behind them.
Myth #1: I Generate My Strengths
It is tempting to believe our natural abilities are the result of our own ingenuity. Yet 1 Corinthians 12:11 says, “All these (strengths) are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines” (NIV).
Paul is clear. Your strengths are God’s doing, not yours. They are miraculously bestowed, not acquired by human effort. You are equipped with God-given strengths not as a consequence of your own merit, but by His determination. He distributes them freely and without cost.
This by no means diminishes the sweat and struggle you may invest in using your God-given strengths. God values hard work. To put forth effort with the intent of pleasing Him is God-honoring. Rather the question is motive. To live as if your strengths are self-made is to attempt to steal credit from God – no matter whether the underlying intent is to boost your perceived personal standing with others, to combat fear, or to feel better about yourself. Doing so can breed false pride.
Yet seeing God as the originator of your strengths inspires this humbling truth: God has created you uniquely. Your God-given strengths are not intended for private honor but to build up others. What will you do with yours?
Myth #2: I Choose My Strengths
God has conferred on you the strengths He sees to be best for you … (read rest of article …)
The concept of the “self-made man” – one who achieves success by his own efforts – is deeply rooted in the American Dream. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) coined the rags-to-riches ideal in describing his own journey out of poverty to affluence through hard work, solid morals, and education. The self-made man achieves success without outside assistance.
Or does he?
Against this cultural backdrop, Christ-followers face tension and confusion when grappling with the issue of success. Check out these two widely-accepted myths about self-made success and the truths behind them.
Myth #1: I Generate My Strengths
It is tempting to believe our natural abilities are the result of our own ingenuity. Yet 1 Corinthians 12:11 says, “All these (strengths) are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines” (NIV).
Paul is clear. Your strengths are God’s doing, not yours. They are miraculously bestowed, not acquired by human effort. You are equipped with God-given strengths not as a consequence of your own merit, but by His determination. He distributes them freely and without cost.
This by no means diminishes the sweat and struggle you may invest in using your God-given strengths. God values hard work. To put forth effort with the intent of pleasing Him is God-honoring. Rather the question is motive. To live as if your strengths are self-made is to attempt to steal credit from God – no matter whether the underlying intent is to boost your perceived personal standing with others, to combat fear, or to feel better about yourself. Doing so can breed false pride.
Yet seeing God as the originator of your strengths inspires this humbling truth: God has created you uniquely. Your God-given strengths are not intended for private honor but to build up others. What will you do with yours?
Myth #2: I Choose My Strengths
God has conferred on you the strengths He sees to be best for you … (read rest of article …)
