The CliftonStrengths assessment, developed by the late Donald O. Clifton, revolutionised how we understand human potential. At a time when psychology largely focussed on what was wrong with people, Mr Clifton asked a radical question: “What might be right with people?” He created a framework – now called the Gallup CliftonStrengths – that not only helps people understand who they are, but also who they can become. Business leadership coach Alison Schiena explains that these principles can be leveraged to elevate your leadership in your practice.
Over 33 million people worldwide – and more than 90% of Fortune 500 companies – have used the CliftonStrengths assessment tools that Donald Clifton developed to unlock their potential and create thriving workplace cultures. But how do the tools he developed help us today, when working in a busy ophthalmic practice?
Consider Usain Bolt, the fastest man in history. As an eight-time Olympic gold medallist and world record holder, Bolt didn’t achieve his legendary status by attempting marathons or goalkeeping. Instead, he focussed entirely on sprinting, honing his natural talent into an unstoppable superpower.
Now, imagine asking Bolt, “Why can’t you run a marathon?” Laughable, right? Yet, as leaders in business, we often fall into this trap. We downplay our strengths and fixate on perceived weaknesses, asking, “Why can’t I be better at this?” or “Why doesn’t that leadership style work for me?”.
Let’s flip the script. What if you embraced your strengths with the same clarity and focus as Bolt did with sprinting?
What tasks energised you? What left you feeling depleted?
Strength-Based Leadership
Leadership isn’t about being everything to everyone. It’s about understanding your unique strengths and using them to elevate your impact.
Strength-based leadership is built on a simple yet profound idea: You perform at your best when you lead from your strengths. Research confirms that focussing on strengths rather than ‘fixing’ weaknesses results in higher performance, greater engagement, and overall satisfaction.1,2
The key? There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for leadership. Great leaders don’t succeed by mimicking others; they thrive by leaning into their unique abilities, building complementary teams, and working smarter, not harder.
As Tom Rath, co-author of StrengthsFinder 2.0, put it: “You cannot be anything you want to be – but you can be a lot more of who you already are.”2
Cultivate Your Strengths
Just as Bolt understood his superpower as a sprinter, you need to identify and cultivate your strengths. Gallup defines strengths as the intersection of natural talents, skills, knowledge, and practice.
This idea is beautifully captured in a quote often attributed to Albert Einstein: “Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
While there’s some debate about whether or not Einstein actually said these words, the quote reminds us that true genius lies in recognising and embracing what makes us unique. Instead of focussing on what you’re not, zero in on what you are.
Start by reflecting on these key questions from Gallup:
- Yearning: What activities naturally draw your attention?
- Rapid learning: What do you pick up quickly and effortlessly?
- Satisfaction: What tasks leave you feeling energised and eager for more?
- Timelessness: During which activities does time seem to fly?
- Excellence: When have you excelled and thought, ‘How did I do that?’.
For a deeper dive, consider taking the CliftonStrengths assessment; a tool that helps you name, claim, and aim your top talents.
The Four Domains of Strength-Based Leadership
Gallup organises strengths into four domains. Here’s a breakdown of how these play out in leadership.
- Executing: Leaders in this domain turn ideas into action. They thrive on accomplishment and results.
What they need: Time to plan, clear goals, and preparation space.
Blind spots: May resist last-minute changes or improvisation.
- Influencing: Natural communicators, these leaders inspire and rally others around a vision.
What they need: An audience, space for self-expression, and time to recharge.
Blind spots: Risk being perceived as overly dominant.
- Relationship building: These leaders excel at connecting with others and fostering team cohesion.
What they need: Authentic interactions and a sense of belonging.
Blind spots: May prioritise relationships over outcomes.
- Strategic thinking: Visionaries who analyse and explore paths forward.
What they need: Time to reflect, research, and strategise.
Blind spots: May struggle with rushed decisions or overthinking.
Strengths in Action
To identify and build your strengths, start by reflecting on your day. What tasks energised you? What left you feeling depleted? By journaling these reflections, you can celebrate your wins, identify patterns, and set a foundation for working in your ‘genius zone’.
It’s also worth asking: What tasks drained your energy, and how can you address them? Could you delegate, partner with someone, or use a strength to tackle the challenge?
Remember, when you lead from your strengths, you work with joy and energy.
But when you operate outside them for too long, burnout can creep in.
Strength-Based Leadership in Eye Care
In any eye health practice, your unique strengths – and those of your team – are your greatest assets. Patients often prioritise relationships over price. In my own experience, I know my optometrist isn’t the cheapest, but their personalised service keeps me coming back.
Understanding your strengths allows you to serve authentically. By identifying what energises you and your team, you can create meaningful connections with patients while building a culture of excellence.
Building Strength Awareness in Your Team
Leadership doesn’t stop at self-awareness; it extends to understanding and nurturing the strengths of your team. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Where are my team members’ strengths?
- What tasks energise them, and what drains them?
- How can I support them in aligning their roles with their strengths?
When team members operate in their strengths, they’re more engaged and productive. You can amplify this by:
- Encouraging open conversations about strengths during one-on-one or team meetings.
- Providing opportunities for professional development that align with their natural talents.
- Delegating tasks in a way that leverages team strengths while fostering collaboration.
Strengths, Emotional Intelligence, and Client Care
Leading with strengths isn’t just about internal team dynamics; it directly impacts client care and satisfaction. According to Salesforce, 94% of consumers are more likely to return after a positive customer service experience.3
Patients notice when a practice operates cohesively, with team members engaged and aligned in their roles. It’s not just about technical expertise, it’s about delivering an exceptional client experience that comes from understanding and harnessing your team’s strengths.
The Legacy of Strength-Based Leadership
The power of strength-based leadership lies in its ability to create lasting impact.
By embracing your strengths, encouraging your team to do the same, and aligning everyone’s efforts with a shared vision, you can transform your eye health practice into a thriving, purpose-driven workplace.
Whether you’re mentoring a new team member, managing daily operations, or mapping out long-term goals, start with this question: “How can I use my strengths to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose?”
Alison Schiena, founder of See Clearly Consulting, is a Certified Gallup Strengths Coach with 27 years of experience empowering leaders and teams. She specialises in helping leaders harness their unique strengths to foster collaboration, drive meaningful change, achieve organisational goals, and build an intentional workplace culture. Follow her on LinkedIn or visit seeclearlyconsulting.com.au for more insights on leveraging your team’s strengths to create thriving workplaces.
References
- Sorenson S. How employees’ strengths make your company stronger. Gallup Workplace. Available at: gallup.com/workplace/231605/employees-strengths-company-stronger.aspx [accessed Dec 2024].
- Rath T, Conchie B. Strengths. Strengths-Based Leadership: Great Leaders, Teams, and Why People Follow Gallup Press; First Edition (8 January 2009).
- Your business forward. Available at: salesforce.com/blog/customer-service-stats [accessed Dec 2024].
