Monday, December 26, 2011

Spotting The Dominant Gift In Others



It's hard for me to imagine a greater gift than to find someone's greatest talent and shine the light on it. Most of our environments are not geared to do this. It rarely happens at home, it rarely happens at church, and it rarely happens in the workplace. Mike Murdock shares his own mistake with this in his book "The Law of Recognition". He begins:

“Greatness is within those you love. You must find it. You must focus on it. You must see it as the gift of God to you. Everything you do not have has been carefully stored in someone near you. Love is the secret map to that treasure.

One of the major mistakes in my life happened many years ago. A young lady worked for me who was incredibly spontaneous, happy, and joyful. When she walked into a room, everything smiled. Her gift was enthusiasm. She headed my music company.

One day, I pulled open the filing cabinets. Everything was in disarray. Bank statements had been misfiled and labeled. It looked like a catastrophe. Upset, I called her into my office.

“I love you very much. You are very special to me, but I cannot have disorder in my office. I suggest that you go to Bible School. I will pay your way through Bible College. I know you love God and God has his hand on your life.”

She cried. I cried. For weeks afterwards, it was like my office was a funeral home. I never realized my staff was so boring until she left! It was like death in the place. Months later, it dawned on me. I wanted her to be a coach but God had given her the personality of a cheerleader:

She was a motivator, not an educator.
Her gift was joy, not judgement.
Her gift was spontaneity, not structure.
Her gift was enthusiasm, not efficiency.

Since then I have tried hard to search for the dominant core gift of those near me. It is important to feed that gift, build on that gift and not become preoccupied with their weakness. Your circle of friends can offer you motivation, mentorship, correction, loyalty, or celebration. Nobody contains it all."

This is a powerful story that I need to re-read on a regular basis. If we are honest, I think we all have our own version of this story. Maybe we even a regular version with how we approach a child, a spouse, a parent. I immerse myself in strengths material on a daily basis. But it's so easy to slip into focusing on what someone is not instead of the amazing package of gifts they are.

Put the spotlight on the dominant strength of someone you live or work with today. Discover it with them. Describe it. Offer help in Developing It. And help them on to the appropriate stage, on to the chair that sits empty without their unique talent. Help them Deliver their gift today!
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