Today’s Purpose Learn about “Strengths-based Development” Identify personal strengths using Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Consider other avenues to identify strengths, including the StrengthsFinder ® Explore how these concepts can be used in the workplace and in our life NASSAU BOCES PACE PROGRAM

Why Strengths? Each person’s talents are enduring and unique

Why Strengths? Our greatest room for growth comes from our greatest strengths

“We’d all be perfect if we could just get rid of our weaknesses…”

“Let’s let our strengths rule…and move our weaknesses to the background…”

What should we do differently? Increase our understanding of our strengths…individually and collectively Find ways to improve on and use these strengths on a regular basis

Identifying Our Strengths…A History ’88‘89‘90‘91‘92’93’94’95’96’97’98’99’00‘01 Howard Gardner Multiple Intelligences Daniel Goleman Emotional Intelligence Marcus Buckingham StrengthsFinder

A Closer Look at “Multiple Intelligences”

Multiple Intelligences Linguistic: word smart Logical-mathematical: numbers smart Spatial: picture smart Bodily-Kinesthetic: body smart Musical: music smart Interpersonal: people smart Intrapersonal: self smart Naturalist: nature smart

Activity #1 – Let’s Explore Find a partner… Begin by sharing your three “intelligences” Then answer this question:

Activity #1 Let’s Explore Think of how you’ve used one of these strengths to achieve success in life…describe a story or situation that offers a specific illustration. This should be an example which you’re proud to share, and which shows off the best of who you are. Tell your partner this story. Do not be humble! You each have 5 minutes

Activity #2 Up a Notch Working with the same Partner… Brainstorm on this question: Review your list…identify a strength that is “under used” by comparison. How might you increase the use of this strength in your daily work or personal life? You have 10 minutes

StrengthsFinder ®

Based on research by the Gallup Organization Yet another way to examine our strengths StrengthsFinder ® identifies five particular strengths from among the potential 34 that research has identified

StrengthsFinder ® Achiever Activator Adaptability Analytical Arrange Belief Command Communication Competition Connectedness Consistency Context Deliberative Developer Discipline Empathy Focus Futuristic Harmony Ideation Includer Individuation Input Intellection Learner Maximizer Positivity Relator Responsibility Restorative Self-Assurance Significance Strategic Woo

Your Challenge Continue the Strengths reflection and action… –Increase your knowledge of your personal strengths –Identify ways you can use these strengths even more!

There’s more… Positive Organizational Development Positive Psychology “…focuses on the dynamics that lead to developing human strength, producing resilience and restoration, fostering vitality, and cultivating extraordinary individuals, units and organizations”. Kim Cameron University of Michigan School of Business

Thank you!