Strengths Based Leadership

Strengths Based Leadership Tom Rath and Barry Conchie Gallup Press, 2009 266 pages, Hardcover, $24.95Today's competitive organizations demand strategic leadership. Leaders believe in change, they energize organizations to innovate continuously, they recognize the need for synergy, and recognize the importance of unity and collaboration. Strengths Based Leadership by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie was passionately and astutely written during a crucial time when strong leadership is needed in all organizations, communities, and countries. The authors provide sound examples to help identify unique strengths that drive success. Rath and Conche discuss the three keys to becoming a more effective leader: knowing your strengths and investing in others', getting the people with the right strengths on your team, and understanding and meeting the four basic needs of those who seek leadership.The authors state, "Organizations are quick to look for leaders who are great communicators, visionary thinkers, and who can also get things done and follow through" (p. 7). They understand that leaders must be able to communicate in order to be effective, must be visionary thinkers in order to prosper, and must be able to get things done in order to be efficient. These characteristics are hard to find in all leaders because most have one or two of these characteristics. Leaders can learn to develop certain skills which can help them become more effective, efficient, and productive. It is important for a leader to know his or her own strengths as a "carpenter knows his tools" (p. 13). A leader must focus on developing each strength and also improving each weakness in order to be able to create success. It is true that some leaders do not know what their strengths are which is why the authors state, "As a part of this book, you will have an opportunity to take a new leadership version of the StrengthsFinder program" (p. 13). The StrenghtsFinder program assessment is a pleasant exercise that can help a person discover what his/her strengths are and more importantly, how the strengths can be used to motivate, lead, and produce higher results. The authors explain the value of "leaders knowing their own strengths and also reveal how important it is for leaders to help others uncover their own strengths as early as possible" (p. 16). It is important to mention that the sooner one learns about their leadership strengths; the more successful he or she will be in all aspects of life.A person's ethos is also very important in leadership because self-confidence can help a leader become more effective. According to the authors, there is a "correlation between awareness of one's strengths and the subsequent increase in self-confidence" (p. 16). If a leader is self-confident, he or she will gain the respect of his or her peers because of being able to make sound decisions that will be in the best interest of the organization. Self-confidence has proven to be a strength that can help a person in numerous ways. As a matter of fact, it is stated that "people who are aware of their strengths and build self-confidence at a young age may reap a cumulative advantage that continues to grow over a lifetime" (p. 16). Those who are aware of their strengths and are able to build self-confidence at a younger age by becoming leaders on sports teams and in extracurricular activities which allow them to develop their leadership skills that will prepare them for when they become leaders in organizations.Particularly strong is that the author includes examples of the four domains of leadership strengths: executing, influencing, relationship building, and strategic thinking. The authors provide sound examples of leaders who have been able to use their strengths to help organizations progress. Wendy Kopp of Teach for America is known for her executing skills and creating an organization from scratch. Simon Cooper of The Ritz Carlton is recognized for his influencing skills and transforming the organization to a new level of excellence. …