The Strengths Nobody Has Asked For Yet
I have very fond memories of Mick Cope – a true legend in his own lifetime – teaching me his MPH model as part of the certification programme for his 7Cs of Consulting. He had a knack of making complex concepts really simple – something I’m forever grateful of.
The 9 lenses of this model create a wonderfully helpful way to view and understand a situation, in order to create robust solutions, And as you might imagine, being the humans we are, we all have our natural preferences when it comes to the 9.
The three Ps in this model refer to an orientation in relation to time, and the lenses are Past, Present, and Projected.
Some of us are more naturally oriented to the past and the focus is lessons learned, predictable patterns, and undeniable history. We’ll often hear that in their language – things like “When we tried that before…” and “Let’s not forget what happened last time…”.
Some of us are more oriented to the present – focusing on the immediacy of a situation with current pressures and needs. We’ll hear things like “What needs our attention right now?”
The final P is projected and looks to the future; the world of intentions, ambitions and possibilities. The language we might hear that indicate this lens is in focus includes “How might that work?” and “If anything were possible what could we do?”.
Now, all three lenses have their place and when it comes to our strengths, I’d encourage us to look through all three, regardless of your preference. There will be strengths that you’ve developed over time – and if you’re anything like me, you may have seriously doubted if they were ever going to really become strengths. These include things you love doing but we’re not yet competent at, and/or things you were competent at but didn’t really enjoy. Both have the potential to become strengths in my experience.
In episode 340 of my podcast, The Flourishing Introvert Talks, I recommended undertaking a strengths audit to determine which of your current strengths might be of benefit in your future roles – planned or aspirational. So this is very intentionally pointing you to ask those projected type questions. And typically what we’ll find there, especially if you’re looking to take on a more senior role, are the strengths and skills associated with strategic thinking, inclusive influencing, executive presence and visibility, psychological safety, challenge, visionary leadership and more.
Now depending on your lived experience, the development provided by your organisation, and whatever you’ve chosen to do under your own steam, that list may sound a bit daunting. But, being forewarned as they say is forearmed.
Most organisations that I work with expect to see evidence or at least potential of the strengths and qualities you’ll need to demonstrate at a higher level before they promote you. So what are you options? Hope for the best and that you’ll not mess up too badly as you find your feet? Or steal a march by knowing what’s needed, beginning your own development, and getting ahead of the game?
I know which my preference is.
And some of that comes down to my engineering background and my experience as a project manager. If you take the time to anticipate the risks thoroughly, and put plans in place, you’re prepared for all (or most) eventualities.
And, why would I allow unnecessary risks when it comes to my own career and future prospects?
Short answer, I wouldn’t.
But without those lenses, we can become complacent, resting on past laurels, or worse still, accept what others have told us are our strengths. I explored this in an edition of The Flourishing Nudge, my LinkedIn newsletter, as I have such memories of buying into other’s opinions of me rather than believing in my own understanding of my strengths.
So my recommendation is, don’t rely entirely on others to shape you career. They will play a part undoubtedly, but it’s you who are in the driving seat.
And as you look at the road ahead and confirm your route, make sure you’re on top of what’s needed for that journey.
The Original Flourishing Introvert, Cage Rattler & Bias Shifter – Helping organisations unlock potential by shifting extraversion bias | Coaching quiet leaders | TEDx Speaker | Trainer | Founder, CEO – Flourishing Introverts | Host – The Flourishing Introvert Talks and (dropping) Pebbles in the Pond | Author – The Flourishing Nudge | Co-Flourisher, Co-Founder – Intent to Flourish
I’m talking about the consistency we expect of ourselves, and often of one another, when it comes to who we are.
That sounds perfectly reasonable until you remember, with a tinge of sadness or guilt, that the person you’re leaving behind probably served you rather well.
elivering a course on Presentation Skills this week in a client’s office. We had a great day and there were lots of golden nuggets shared as we explored the why, how and what of presenting an often dry subject. At the end, the group gave me a round of applause, and I spontaneously curtsied, just as I would have done as a child. That provoked more laughter, which was a great way to end what had been an insightful and beneficial day.
To add insult to injury, I got the email about the latest automatic price hike the day it would be billed! Being customer focused this is NOT!
I created this course with practical strategies that will help you edit the script on self-doubt and encourage you to build a stronger, sassier and confident mindset, while remaining your true quiet-self. Irrespective of where in life you are at this moment, this course offers the tools to break free from the barriers that holding you hostage to fear, shame or gaslighting from within or out.
No literally, this one is a big deal for me. My book just got listed in Waterstones; one of the biggest and most prestigious bookstores of UK. This is HUGE!
I’ve never felt so humiliated or incompetent, so it was a good thing it was only in my dream! I mean how could ALL of my commissioning clients have been in the same event? That would never happen.
Trust me, the team and I had different choice of words but we’ve toned it down for the faint hearted.
In the past, when things have angered me on social media which is usually opinions stated as fundamental truths, I feel the anger and then move on once the feelings have subsided. 
This left me absolutely livid and spitting feathers because that’s now millions of people (that’s how many followers he has) who now are misinformed which will set our cause back considerably.
While this photo may depict a happy mask with a sad face, and I will share what one of my senior team members said – I’m absolutely delighted to announce that on 18 December 2024, Szebastian Onne G. S. and I will be launching our collaborative audio event series, Not Just Lip Service (NJLS).
I’ve been shocked at some of the questions asked in many of the introvert groups on social media this week and it’s reinforced why I wanted Introvert’s Corner to be very different. The questions posed demonstrate clearly just how much misunderstanding there is about what introversion is and isn’t including the regular conflation of concepts and issues. 
Back in the spring of 2022 based on the recommendation of someone I really trust, I booked a photoshoot with Brigitta of 
This week, for the Buttercup segment, I give the stage to Szebastian, my colleague and co-founder of our brand ‘Intent to Flourish’. – 
This became really relevant for me this week as a good friend was clearly struggling, but reluctant to ask for help as they didn’t want to trouble anyone else.
Now why might I not be flattered? Well, as a change agent, facilitator and coach, I want people to feel confident enough to apply the learning, and if they feel they need me in their back pocket or on speed dial, my job is not yet complete.
It took me a few years to educate my nearest about how draining I found the whole ‘festive season’. I’d developed a number of ways to keep myself from feeling overwhelmed one day ate a time and they turned into my popular Seasonal Sanity Savers. I mean, why keep something to yourself, when they can help other people.
One thing I have noticed is that if I feel a little fear or anxiety about an invitation, it’d be all too easy to immediately decline and use my need for replenishment as a reason (or excuse).
I thought I was being sensible, but there were several factors that I hadn’t accounted for. Lots of road closures and my driver – Alan.
Impending insanity because we’re now firmly into the so called ‘festive season’ but that’s not how it feels to many of us.
Because the stress and pressure of social, workplace and family expectations lasts for the whole month, so it makes sense to have support for the whole month.
