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I love working from a strengths-based perspective and approaching solutions through what already seems to be working. However, I find it much easier to identify strengths of a person and much harder to come up with some of my own. In this post I am presenting a short activity that can be done with a partner, friend, or family member.

• The first person (storyteller) begins by sharing in detail a challenge that they had in the past and the steps they took to overcome that challenge.   The second person (listener)  should be listening attentively and only asking questions for clarifying or expanding, but not giving any advice or sharing of their own.

• The listener should now thoughtfully come up with one or two strengths they identified after hearing their partner’s story. Be specific and share other instances where you have seen this strength being used.

• The storyteller and listener should then switch roles and engage in another conversation.

• As a wrap-up, discuss what it was like to have another person call out your strengths. Did you learn something new? Did it make you feel good? Were you nervous? If it was difficult to discuss, why do you think so?

• Last, think to a present challenge and how you may apply your strengths and come up with a different approach.

There can be a lot of things to take away from this conversation. One  point of this activity is to become more comfortable with not just hearing people describe your strengths, but to really contemplate how your strengths can be used to your advantage.  Having someone you are close to point them out can be affirming and eye-opening, but it is ultimately up to you to believe that you posses the potential to continue growing.

 

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