How Maximizing Strengths Benefits Individuals, Teams

On a recent Called to Coach: Australia Edition we spoke with Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach Jill Rowe.

Jill sees her own Top 5 strengths as working in groups of two: Responsibility and Belief, and Harmony and Individualization. Jill's Responsibility and Belief drive her to serve others. Still, she has to keep these strengths top-of-mind so she does not help other who don't request help. With her Harmony and Individualization, Jill is able to confront conflict in a calm and collaborative fashion because she understands each person's needs and desires. She is able to build a strong consensus among divided groups in a calm manner. Finally, Jill's Connectedness allows her to draw many people and ideas together so they form a cohesive team or thought, as long as she is armed with enough information to draw those groups together.

Jill worked in Learning and Development roles for 10 years before designing a human resources program and becoming head of human resources. While designing this program, Jill came across an idea that resonated with her, "Maximizing one's strengths and minimizing one's weaknesses." She wanted to build an HR program around this concept. Approximately five years ago, Jill began to incorporate the CliftonStrengths movement into her strengths philosophy. Jill loves the language provided by CliftonStrengths because it is very democratic -- all strengths are equal and put people on an equal plane. Also, people relate to the language in the corporate world and in their personal lives because it is easily understood and put into practice.

Jill thoroughly enjoys team coaching and individual coaching. When Jill hosts a team Strengths session, each team member takes the CliftonStrengths assessment and finds out their Top 5 strengths before attending. Jill begins the session by teaching about individual strengths and then moving into a discussion about how strengths can enhance a team's cohesiveness and productivity. Jill believes team strengths sessions are great for project-based teams because it helps maximize their time together, or in understanding the working style of a new team leader or manager. Jill also conducts individual coaching sessions. Often, these sessions are with leaders because most people are nervous about leading for the first time. Jill uses their strengths to build their confidence and level of comfort in being leaders. Jill feels their self-belief can be improved through understanding and developing their strengths. Also, understanding strengths and the philosophy behind them helps leaders know that the same goal can be achieved by five different people by five different paths and that each of those paths is valuable.

To learn more about Jill and her coaching experiences and expertise, watch the full video or listen to the audio above.

Jill Rowe's Top 5 CliftonStrengths are Responsibility, Harmony, Connectedness, Belief and Individualization.