Encouraging the team toward success.
Leaders, and colleagues, need to position people on work project teams effectively and efficiently to ensure work gets done and people stay engaged. A lot of leaders often spend too much time trying to guess where to put people because they don't have a point of reference.
What follows is a "scouting report" for those with Positivity® talents, as identified via the CliftonStrengths assessment.
If you are a leader or a colleague of someone with these talents, consider how you can best position them in the context of your team and your projects. You can also use this as a discussion piece to find out how they see and use their Positivity® talents.
Each person with Positivity® talents operates differently. Make sure you're not missing out on their unique contribution.
Disclaimer: The following insights represent the author's opinions based on their understanding of the CliftonStrengths® themes. These are not statements created by or formally endorsed by Gallup®.
Scouting Report
Position: Finisher / Forward
Always shares their optimism that the team will succeed.
Contribution
Ways in which this team member can make a direct and immediate impact. Use these insights to consider where you place them on the team or in an organization.
Energy carrier. In soccer, there are teammates you just know you want to see on the field. They are quick with encouragement, and bleed positive energy. The same can occur around the office. Those with Positivity® talents are key to providing an uplifting word, a well-timed piece of recognition, or a shield against the critics. Leaders would do well to rotate these talented individuals around to various teams that could use a "pick-me-up." Those with Positivity® talents will beckon their teammates to keep pressing forward and be there to celebrate with them when they accomplish their goal(s).
Tendencies
Ways in which people with this theme might "overplay" their talents.
Rose colored glasses. While most people with Positivity® talents tend to maintain a healthy perspective when projects aren't going well, there are those who may lean to heavily into their Positivity talents and begin to dismiss certain negative realities. It's good to have someone focus on even the smallest positive moments but as a leader be ready to help ensure they don't lose their grip on situational realities.
Celebrating at a funeral. It can be helpful to find silver linings, and those with Positivity talents may be best positioned to just that. At the same time, these talented individuals may keep trying to get the team excited when the team may need a moment to process the failure of a project or the loss of a big client. As a leader, help position your Positivity®-talented team members as a good support person for when other team members are good and ready to seek help in raising their chins back up.
Talent Combos / Position Modification
Woo®: "Team Building Cheerleader" - Those with Woo talents are keen to build broad networks who can support the team's initiatives. Those with Woo + Positivity talents carry a positive energy that is likely to attract new team members; people want to be around this individual. As a leader, consider positioning these individuals in some of the most public-facing situations. Their infectious energy is going to draw other people to support your core team's progress.
Significance®: "On-the-Field Coach" - Those with Significance are feed by being seen as important. Those with Positivity + Significance talents are excited to be out on the field, in the thick of it, encouraging people to bring their best...and then celebrating them for it. As a leader, consider placing these individuals in roles where they might serve as a "right-hand," where you empower them to coach, encourage, and celebrate others.
Game Film
Check out these videos from Gallup to learn more
Photo by Antonio Vidal on Unsplash
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