Strengths in Overdrive: How Strengths Present During Times of Crisis
There’s no question that we’re living through an unprecedented moment in history (one that many of us would have liked to take a pass on!)
In a world that looks wildly different now than it did two months or even two weeks ago, we’re all doing our best to cope with the new realities we’ve been presented with. As we come to terms with what it means to be working during (or even just surviving!) a global pandemic, many of us feel like we’ve been thrown into the deep end.
When these moments of crisis hit, and people feel like they’re struggling to stay afloat, our strengths can start to show up in interesting ways. Trying to find a foothold amongst all the change that’s happening day by day, or even hour by hour, we grasp onto what we know and what we’re good at. What can sometimes happen, though, is that we lean too far into our strengths. And, as with anything, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing.
Take Restorative, a strength known for being a fixer, one that identifies problems and offers solutions. During times of stress, that fixer tendency might go overboard. They can go to a worst-case-scenario, world-is-ending mindset that just isn’t helpful.
Let’s look at this tendency more specifically from our current vantage point. In light of COVID-19, and how radically it’s shifted our lives, here’s how the five most common strengths might overdo it:
Achiever: Achievers can get very uncomfortable when they have an empty calendar or long stretches of time at home. (My Achiever panicked when all my spring conferences cancelled within a few days.) They may react by over planning, scheduling out every hour in their calendars in order to feel like they’re being productive and in control. This constant need to be doing-doing-doing may lead to burnout, especially when you add the pressures of all the change and uncertainty on top of it. Now, I’m looking at this situation as a marathon, not a race, so I need to pace myself to finish well.
Responsibility: these people see their performance and output as a reflection of themselves. Because of that, they’ll do whatever possible to keep their output at the level it was at before the crisis hit. Much like with Achievers, when you factor in the stress associated with all the change happening, managing children at home, figuring out how to lead teams remotely… this need to “continue on as if nothing’s changed” to honor all our previous commitments may do more harm than good in the long run. Remember to take something off your plate when you add something new.
Learner: open to change and eager to learn and adapt to new situations, Learners will be actively consuming information and doing whatever’s necessary to get up to speed with the new status quo. (Learners may need to limit their news intake as the pandemic stretches on to be more productive.) They’ll be the ones who are Zoom masters, will figure out how to optimize WiFi speeds, and teach themselves the latest-greatest WFH productivity tools. But as they run towards the change, embracing all these new tools, methods, and technologies, they may leave others feeling left behind, confused, and frustrated. Learners, make sure to pause and help teach others what you’ve learned about the new technology to limit their confusion.
Relator: highly social, many Relators will be struggling to adjust to this new almost exclusively virtual world of work. Deprived of their usual channels to connect with people, they will lean heavily on communication tools, but may tend to favor connecting with those they’re more familiar with. This might give the impression of favoritism or “clique-ishness” to those that are on the outs, leading to added friction in a time that needs less, not more. Continue to use virtual 1:1 meetings to keep your relationships strong with those on your inner and outer circles. Too many large group Zoom meetings may be overwhelming.
Strategic: naturally talented at seeing solutions that cut through the clutter, Strategic might be moving too quickly down too many different paths in today’s world. In the best of times, it can be difficult for others to follow Strategic thinkers, as they tend to jump from point A to point Z without showing their work. Now, it will be even more challenging to follow, making people feel excluded and left out of key decisions. To prevent that from happening, partner with someone high in the Executing domain to help create a plan to accomplish your goal so others understand the process.
If any of these are sounding a bit too familiar, or if you’ve recognized yourself really leaning into your Strengths a bit too much, don’t panic. Remember that your strengths are your superpowers! They just need to be wielded mindfully.
So, if you suspect your strengths might be shifting into overdrive, try the following exercise:
Name them. Jot down your top five or ten. The simple act of writing them down will keep them fresh in your mind.
For each strength, write down examples of how it presents when you’re at your best, and how it shows up when you’re at your most stressed.
As you go through your day, or your week, be mindful of how your strengths are showing up. Notice when and where they might be too much. You might be surprised to notice some patterns emerge.
It’s so important to recognize how our strengths are presenting right now, and understand how to manage them with intentionality. This level of awareness and mindful action can be the difference between muscling your way through an already challenging situation, and navigating it, instead, with some grace and ease, knowing that your strengths as your very best assets.