OVERVIEW

PLAY to YOUR STRENGTHS

Business is beginning to discover that focusing on strengths is a sure bet… Strengths are taking the workplace by storm! As leaders in all walks of life begin to think seriously about their own strengths and those of the people they lead, they’re eager to learn about new and powerful ways to use strengths every day. After their initial euphoria at uncovering their strengths, many leaders soon begin to wonder what to do with these new insights. Play to Your Strengths answers this important question.

In Play to Your Strengths – the first comprehensive look at what we can do with our growing knowledge of strengths – the authors transform strengths and strengths-based work from interesting information to practical application. We write for leaders, managers, and individuals who aspire to discover and apply their strengths fully. While Texas Hold ’Em and the World Series of Poker have grabbed the imagination of the nation, poker is also a great metaphor for strengths because, no matter what hand you’re dealt, you always have the opportunity to play it to your advantage.

The “heart” of Play to Your Strengths is its unabashed optimism, which renders it both unique and buoyant. The title does not suggest a “fix it, you’re broken” perspective. Rather, it urges the reader to start from the assumption that she is great as she is. Play to Your Strengths assumes from the outset that people exist as creative, resourceful, whole, and wise. This concept aligns with the burgeoning coaching industry, in which professional coaches start from the assumption that individuals are exceptional the way they are – and then invite them to capitalize on that knowledge. Play to Your Strengths does not tell readers that they must be better. Instead, we invite them to convey more of who they are by expanding and using their natural strengths!

In life, we each hold a perfect hand – our unique array of strengths. Focusing on strengths builds our productivity and that of the communities in which we live, work, and play. Our wish for you is deep and clear knowledge of your own strengths, and we hope to inspire you to share this imperative knowledge with others, building the capacity and the contribution of every individual and every organization. We invite you to begin your exploration by reading Play to Your Strengths.