Are you misjudging strengths as weaknesses?
Part 2 of 2: Judging Ourselves.
The beautifully written Winning Card!
Stepping out of the 4.5-day CliftonStrengths Coaching Certification Course, I felt like I had uncovered a whole new dimension of understanding—both about myself and others. It’s like seeing people in high definition; our strength themes aren’t to be boxed into ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ They’re just different, and when tapped into correctly, they hold the potential to spark powerful transformations. That moment - I dropped the self-judgment.
Our course wrapped up with a touching moment—our 'coaches' in role play handed us each a ‘winning card’. Mine came from Prem Nazir, who nailed it, beautifully encapsulating my strengths through his eyes in a nutshell, reminding me of a dream I’d long harbored. Flashback to a drama I watched in my younger days—a kingmaker quietly shaping destinies from behind the scenes. I felt a pull towards that role, but for years, I couldn’t quite shake off the feeling that it was ‘unambitious’ for not wishing to be the king instead.
But diving into my strengths during the course, I had an epiphany—it wasn’t about a lack of ambition, but rather about channeling it differently. The CliftonStrengths themes echoed this calling, and it all clicked. I’m fascinated by the unique spark within each person, much like an artist seeing the potential in every stroke of the brush. Every individual is a ‘work in progress,’ just waiting to be nurtured. My strength lies in sifting through the noise, cutting through the clutter, helping them find the best path forward, and watching how their efforts beautifully weave into the bigger picture. I harness their visions, mix in a bit of my own expertise, and elevate them—guiding them to become the ‘king’ of their own journey. That’s where I find my energy—in drawing out the brilliance in others and watching them soar.
Now, I feel a deep sense of peace, embracing my own strengths and staying open to support anyone who crosses my path on their leadership journey. And for this profound realization, I owe a big thank you to my facilitators, Vidhya Thomas and Angie Santa Maria, and my fellow course mates.
How do you typically judge yourself? Are you willing to work on embracing yourself without judgment?