I enjoyed this post from Matt Perman a week or so ago, in particular because it strengthened my already strong conviction regarding the way Coaches can best capitalize on the abilities of their players. Though I don’t get to apply it much now, I know that one of the first things I will do when I go into coaching is to ask my players what they want to be good at, or what they most enjoy doing on a basketball court. Even if they aren’t already strong in those particular areas, you have a great chance to make them strong in the areas they mention because they are motivated to work at them. And there is nothing more important than that. Motivated abilities is the place to focus your efforts.

I have seen countless players fail to reach their potential not because they weren’t willing to work, but because Coaches oftentimes tried to fit them into a pre-conceived mold for what they should be. The guy is tall, so we don’t want him shooting jump shots, even though he is most motivated and comfortable doing so. That just isn’t wise. And it’s a perspective that has hurt many a player, team and coach.

I am sure you can make application of this in whatever your line of work. Now that I think about it, I suppose you can and should especially do so as a parent, for one of the primary things I am on the lookout for in my kids is not what they are good at, but what they want to be good at, or at least what they enjoy doing. More times than not, their strengths and desires will not conflict, but instead go hand in hand.

All that being said, I am certainly going to check out Buckingham’s book, Go Put Your Strengths to Work.