Being predominantly INFLUENCING

According to the Clifton StrengthsFinder, the talent themes that has a predominantly influencing nature, are Activator, Command, Communication, Competition, Maximizer, Self Assurance, Significance and Woo.
These themes mostly has an influencing effect on people.  Therefore it is also utilized in that manner. The best way to understand the so called Influencing themes, is by understanding that it has a "we" or a "let us" approach to a given situation.  When you take other people out of the equation, an Influencing Theme cannot function to its full potential.

To explain it better, let's look at each one individually:

• Activator:  Most people would frown on Activator being an Influencing Theme.  The idea of "Action" leads to think that it should be Executing.  But what one must understand about an Activator, is that their energy mostly lies into influencing OTHERS to get going and to start.  That is why, with activators, their thinking, feeling and behaving centers around the thought "When can WE start"...
• Command:  Someone with a strong Command, really gets energy from being an influence on others.  The commanding edge must have its flow towards influencing others within any specific context.  Command cannot function in isolation - and this is true of all the Influencing Themes.
• Communication:  The essence of Communication as a Theme lies in "verbal thinking", thus meaning that you need to express your thoughts.  It is mostly verbally, but can also be in written form or even within an art form.  Thing is, someone with Communication want to Influence others by their need to Communicate.
• Competition:  You need to measure, and therefor you need to influence.  You need something or someone to compare yourself against.  Winning is important, and that in itself is an influencing act.
• Maximizer:  Maximizer is, along with Woo, one of the strongest Influencing Themes there is.  you cannot maximize without influencing.  The basic essence of Maximizing someone or something means that you influence someone or something, and get them to new and higher levels.
• Self Assurance: Being Self Assured means you are an influencer.  Self assurance rubs off on others in one way or the other.  This gives you energy.
• Woo:  "Winning others Over" - you cannot do that without strongly influencing someone.  This is, with Maximizer, one of the strongest Influencing themes.

I need to repeat the importance of the "Cluster trap" when using the Clusters in your coaching or development:

Something that one must be very careful not to do, is to fall into the trap of generalization of these clusterings. Not having specific Influencing Themes high in your mix, does not mean that you cannot influence people, make an argument, communicate or helping people develop or change.  Skills can be learned. That is the edge we have of being human. But when it comes to sustainable energy, and outlasting the rest within a field, someone with strong Influencing Themes will be more suited towards a situation of influencing others, in the same manner that someone with strong Relational Themes will be more suited towards a situation where people and relational interaction is predominant.
Share your thoughts....?

Next time:  More on the Relational Cluster.

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