The more you know about yourself, the better able you will be to make the choices in life that will ensure you’re doing the right work, taking your optimal path and ensuring you’re working up to your potential.

Same thing goes with people you manage, those you mentor or even your kids. If you learn what makes them tick and fills them with passion, they’ll have a spring in their step and achieve their greatest potential — and be in the right place in or out of your organization.

I’ve been assessed, probed, analyzed and dissected by the best. I’ve done the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI); Myers-Briggs; Spencer, Shenk, Capers assessments and executive workshops; and many more. Thousands and thousands of dollars have been expended on my behalf to figure out how my brain is wired and who I am.

Here’s the funny thing: my bride has never thought anything accurately assessed the essence of Steve Borsch until my executive coaches, George Johnson and Jeff Staggs, had me buy a $35 book and take the online test that comes with it. The book? Marcus Buckingham’s Now Discover Your Strengths and the online test done by the Gallup organization.

When I came back from George’s place on Lake Superior early last year having my assessment results in my hands, I sat down with Michelle and read her the five paragraphs which laid out my top five strengths. When I finished, she grinned and exclaimed, “Steve, that is THE best description of EXACTLY who you are that I’ve ever heard!“

Oh how this knowledge has helped guide my client choices; ensured I turned down job offers I previously would’ve leapt at; and the result is that I’m significantly happier with my work today than ever before (and I can also look back at high achievement past jobs where I performed but was miserable…because I wasn’t capitalizing on my strengths).

[Read more...]