“Dang! Have you watched her work? She is relentless! That woman is gonna beat everybody else in the department and I’ll bet in only half the time! She runs circles around everybody else and makes the rest of us look bad.”
“Did you hear about the boss pitching a fit in that meeting? Apparently, he was mad about two people who were on their cell phones while he was talking. He thought they weren’t paying attention but they were taking notes through a new app.”
“Did you see the board in that new guy’s office? He’s got goals taped up all over the place! I guess management doesn’t care as long as he gets stuff done, but I think it looks messy.”
Focus: They Keep Their Eyes on the Prize.
Strengths: Focused and Driven
Are you frustrated by the people in your life who are so focused and driven on their goals that they seem to leave you behind in the dust? Maybe they can’t quit talking about them. Or maybe they work more hours than most and you feel less productive? Or perhaps they appear to neglect everything and everyone else in their lives as they seem to chase the almighty dollar. They may be impatient, too.
You may be encountering someone with the StrengthsFinder talent theme of Focus.
Focus: Racing Towards the Goal
Focus: Like a racehorse who charges after a goal.
Those who are especially talented with Focus are like racehorses. They see the goal waiting at the end of the stretch and they have the innate ability to zero in on it and keep it in sight at all times. They were born to run, born to race, born to achieve. They quickly eliminate distractions that could keep them from the prize.
Because they are able to sharpen their vision so intently, they are efficient, productive and shrewd when it comes to getting what they want. They are independent, too, and have no problem leaving others behind when it comes to hitting the mark. In contrast, they are excellent teammates because they can keep everyone else motivated and on-point when it comes to what the group is expected to accomplish.
They Need Concrete Targets
My friend, Grace, is very strong in Focus. She is very goal oriented and worked hard professionally for all of her adult life. During a recent period of new motherhood, she lost sight of making goals for herself as she spent time changing diapers and wiping little noses. She really struggled with feelings of inadequacy until she realized that she needed clear and concise targets outside the home in which to aim. As her children became more independent, she was able to realign herself with clear objectives to attain. She’s much happier now that she has something to go for!
Love the Focus in Your Life
The next time someone you know starts to drive you crazy by their single-minded pursuit of their goals, ask them to share them. Learning where they’re headed will give you a clue as to what is driving them. Don’t expect them to slow down, because that’s how they’re wired. Knowing where they are going can give you insight into understanding them.
When working with someone strong in Focus, ask yourself: where do we need to achieve goals and objectives? Perhaps they are the ones who can get you back on track.
For more information about StrengthsFinder, visit www.GallupStrengthsCenter.com.
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