Building an Engaged Parish

Building an Engaged ParishDGFB October, 2014

DISCOVERING & LIVING OUR STRENGTHSStrengthsName a recent successGo around the room

What did you bring to the situation that made it a success?

is it easier to recall a recent failure, or time when things went south and

2strengthsActivity

When have you faced a challenge for which you did not feel equipped? What made the task difficult for you? How did you complete this task?

When have you faced a challenge for which you know you had just what was needed? What within yourself did you draw upon? What was the result?How did you feel when you werent equipped?

How did you feel when you were able to successfully manage a challenge?

We all feel better when we can successfully manage a situation when it utilizes our strengths

Why are we all still so preoccupied with fixing our weaknesses3STRENGTHSFoundational element of engagement:

At my parish I have the opportunity to do what I do bestHeavily weighted in the survey and is near the bottom of the pyramid because it is foundational to and one of the primary drivers of engagement

I need to know that I can make a valuable contribution to my community, not just $$ 4STRENGTHSKey point of engagement:

At my parish I have the opportunity to do what I do best

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT I DO BEST?Many people are uncomfortable talking about strengths it seems arrogant, lacks humility

But ultimately, if we are going to be the body of Christ, we need to have a better understanding of what part we are, what is our best offering?

Strengths doesnt say Im the whole body!

5strengthsFinderBackground

50 years ago, Don Clifton was teaching psychology at Univ Neb and asked the question, what if we focus on whats right with people instead of whats wrong

SF was created out of more than 50 years of research based on success / positive psychology studying various fields (business, education, health care, religion, hospitality, and more)

After looking for the common denominators among successful leaders, they found the only common denominator was that successful people operated out of their strengths and didnt focus on fixing weaknesses

Online assessment taken by more than 10 million people

6strengthsFinderWe are at our best when we do what we naturally do best.

You dont have to become a different person to become successful. You just need to be more and better at who you already are.

SF is NOT the end-all-be-all it is a tool. We are more than 5 terms! Human beings are too complex to be defined or described by simply one word, be it a gender, a race, an age or a CSF theme. CSF can help to understand and appreciate the complexity and diversity of humanity.

7STRENGTHSFINDERYou formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mothers womb. I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works! (Psalm 139)You are my beloved, in whom, I am well pleased. (Luke 3:22)There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in EVERYONE. To EACH INDIVIDUAL the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. (1 Cor 12:4-7)ONE body, MANY parts!You have to be who God made you without that which you bring, the body is not whole.STRENGTHSPsychometric tools dont put people in boxes, people put people in boxes!

1 in 278,256 chance someone has the same Top 5 as you (in a different order)

1 in 33,000,000 chance that someone has the same Top 5 in the same order

This tool demonstrates diversity and complexity to help us understand how we have EACH been uniquely created by God - rather that creating a box for over simplifying

NO ONE can be defined by one word be it a gender or race or talent theme9Our mission and purposeWhat is our common mission / purpose?How do you see yourself bringing the mission to fruition? What is your part?Soul What is my unique identity?Role What is my best contribution?Goal What is our common mission / purpose?

StrengthsWhat you do, I can not do, but what you do, I can not do. The needs are great, and none of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things with great love, and together we can do something wonderful.Mother Teresa

11strengthsFinderSF is a tool that provides insight into our natural thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

The test / assessment does seem odd

This is ONE TOOL for self awareness, discovery (among many) Meyers Briggs, Called and Gifted, but the process of self awareness is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to leadership

Self-awareness is the cornerstone of social-emotional thinking, healthy relationships, and leadership

SF helps establish the link between human personality and human performance.

12strengthsFinderSF gives us a common language, a vocabulary, to speak about our talents / strengths.

EVERYONE has something to offer

13strengthsFinderSF is NOT about weakness fixing fixing your weaknesses might prevent failure, but it will NOT ensure success.

SF is NOT about being well-rounded.

The motivation for human well-roundedness may come from the following mistaken notion if I am kind of good at everything, I wont need to rely on anyone. Doing it all is in some ways easier, but in the final analysis, the results will be less.

SF is NOT a get-out-of-jail-free card!

14strengthsfinderTALENT a naturally recurring pattern of thought, feeling, or behavior that can be productively applied

Talents often go unrecognized because they are second nature to us.

They are our first responses they cannot be learned, they reflect who you are whats inside.

HOW MANY HERE WERE SURPRISED THAT SOMETHING THAT SHOWED UP IN YOUR TOP 5 WAS CALLED A TALENT?15strengthsTALENT a naturally recurring pattern of thought, feeling, or behavior that can be productively applied

STRENGTH the ability to provide consistent, near perfect performance in a given activity

StrengthsTALENT a naturally recurring pattern of thought, feeling, or behavior that can be productively applied

STRENGTH the ability to provide consistent, near perfect performance in a given activity

(Knowledge + Experience + Skill) x Talent = STRENGTH

TALENT is the multiplier!StrengthsFinderFOUR CLUES TO TALENT:Yearning what kinds of activities are you naturally drawn toRapid Learning What kinds of activities do you seem to pick up quickly?Timelessness In what activities did the time seem to fly by for you?Glimpses of Excellence STRENGTHSSF allows us to see ourselves differently and each other differently

The goal is not just to know oneself, its to recognize that YOU see the world differently than I do

THERES MORE THAN ONE RIGHT ANSWER19Understanding the strengths of othersBLM DiseaseI think everyone should Be Like Me

SF gives us a tool to see others differently and affirm and value our differencesEveryone is a genius.But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing its stupid. Albert Einstein

Often, we hold people accountable to our own gifts / talents

20Understanding the strengths of othersBarrier labels when a powerful strength is mistakenly devalued and diminished as weakness

A weakness-seeking mindset or simple unfamiliarity can easily lead a person to misidentify and greatly undervalue talent potential

Empathy wimpy, soft heartedMaximizer relentless perfectionistCommand bossyBelief JudgementalSignificance egocentricAchiever workaholicActivator - impatient

21Understanding the strengths SpectrumRaw vs. Mature

Why do Strengths sometimes not develop?

Fear of being vulnerable - we hide it, we pretend we are perfect, we think we can do/be all things for all people

Immaturity - age/experience, when talents are immature, they are more focused on our own needs, but when they become more seasoned they become more focused the needs of others.

Themes have not been productively applied undeveloped talents

Someone may over-focus on one theme using a talent in isolation

Theme may have been thwarted or impeded (someone thought you needed to be a different person, results in shame around that talent)

Using your talents as an excuse for not doing something that is expected of you avoidance

22STRENGTHSFINDERSF allows us to see ourselves as a valuable part of the Church THE BODY OF CHRIST directing us in ways we can be most effective in living out the calls of the Gospel.

WE ARE MANY PARTS ALL ONE BODYStrengthsStrengths call us into AUTHENTIC, MISSION BASED community!

I dont have to be all things to all people no ONE person has all the answers!

24Seven Steps of Strengths DevelopmentAwareness Identifying who you are and who you are not.Acceptance Accepting who you are and who you are not.Appreciation Embracing and enjoying who you are.Amplification Becoming more of and better at who you are.Alignment Finding and filling roles that fit who you are.Avoidance Escape situations that highlight your weaknesses.Affiliation Partner with those who are strong where you are weak.Alignment Strengths isnt a prescriptive tool to say you are or are not qualified for a particular job or role its to help you make the most of whatever role youre in

Having said that fit is extremely important activator on pastoral council25STRENGTHSStrengths development happens in stages:

Personal

Discovery, acceptance, exploration, and expansion

Self awareness is the cornerstone of mental health

Awareness Identifying who you are and who you are not.Acceptance Accepting who you are and who you are not.Appreciation Embracing and enjoying who you are.Amplification Becoming more of and better at who you are.Alignment Finding and filling roles that fit who you are.Avoidance Escape situations that highlight your weaknesses.

26strengthsStrengths development happens in stages:

Personal

Interpersonal

Understanding, Collaboration and partnership

Awareness Identifying who you are and who you are not.Acceptance Accepting who you are and who you are not.Appreciation Embracing and enjoying who you are.

27strengthsStrengths development happens in stages:

Personal

Interpersonal

Communal

How do we create environments where ALL gifts are valued and treasured???

Relationships are strengthened when people know and live their own talents, value the other person, and recognize the strengths of others

Affiliation Partner with those who are strong where you are weak.

28strengthsStrengths development happens in stages:

Personal

Interpersonal

Communal

Ministerial

Leadership

We thrive when we operate from our strengths - The team is more engaged - Ministry is strengthened

The role of the leader is to create compassion, trust, hope, stability a large part of that is reflecting other peoples strengths back to them

29Understanding the Strengths of OTHERSPartnerships require:A level of understanding about the power of complimentary partnershipsAn understanding of the unique talents of those people around youAn appreciation for the talents of othersIndividuals are not supposed to be well rounded, people are30Understanding the Strengths of OTHERSWhen working in teams, you need to:Understand your own strengths and help others to recognize their own strengthsCreate complimentary partnershipsIdentify a common purpose / goal to help focus the teamHelp team leverage their collective talents toward achieving their goals

Understanding YOUR StrengthsEFFECTIVENESS EXPLORATION IN A ROLEWhat are my natural abilities that could be used in this role?What are my potential vulnerabilities, that is, how might my dominant themes occasionally be misunderstood or labeled in a negative way by others and thus hinder my effectiveness?What are my liabilities and disabilities, that is those abilities that are either absent or quite unnatural for me but are requirements for my role?What things give me credibility for this role? (Education, experience, etc)Where and with whom am I most compatible? (Partners, audiences, situations)strengthsLeaders must use their strengths to create:

TRUSTCOMPASSIONHOPE STABILITYHow YOU create each of these things is dependent on your talents

33SF Domains of LeadershipDomains of leadership talents grouped into domains of similar outcomes

The broader Domains offer a practical lens to look at the makeup of a team

People shouldnt be wellrounded, successful teams are!

34STRENGTHSFINDERQUESTIONS? THOUGHTS? COMMENTS?

Break!

Did your report resonate with you?Were there any surprises?Why did something NOT show up?Please take 5 minutes to highlight key words and phrases in their theme descriptions?

35ActivityWorksheet STRENGTHSFINDERReview of full 34 by DomainGREAT opportunity to get to know each other better!!

And this process demonstrates the diversity within a single theme37strengthsRelationship BuildlingAdaptabilityConnectednessDeveloperEmpathyHarmonyIncluderIndividualizationPositivityRelatorstrengthsINFLUENCINGActivatorCommandCommunicationCompetitionMaximizerSelf-AssuranceSignificanceWOO

strengthsSTRATEGIC THINKINGAnalyticalContextFuturisticIdeationInputIntellectionLearner StrategicstrengthsEXECUTINGAchieverArrangerBeliefConsistencyDeliberativeDisciplineFocusResponsibilityRestorativestrengthsACTIVITY

Strengths insight cards (2-3)STRENGTHSThnik about the last time someone drove you crazy can you begin to reframe some of the behaviors in the context of strengths / barrier labels?StrengthsIn a small group LOVE, CRAZY, ENVY

Where do we go from here?Persue ENGAGEMENTWhere do we go from here?Persue ENGAGEMENT

Persue ME25

Where do we go from here?Persue ENGAGEMENT

Persue ME25

Persue STRENGTHSWhere do we go from here?Persue ENGAGEMENT

Persue ME25

Persue STRENGTHS

Chew on itActivityCreating an action plan!

IMPACT PLANNING IN 45 MINUTES OR LESS!30 minutes50Strengths & engagement applicationQuestions, thoughts, ideasThe future of strengths & engagementGallup Faith Practice

StrengthsResources!!!

strengthsResources online and consulting

csec.infoCSEC Live!www.gallupstrengthscenter.comwwww.strengthsquest.comwww.strengthsexplorer.com Bridge2Faith.netwww.csecsharing.wikispaces.com

55Litany of being Gods instrument of goodnessResponse: God who sings through us, we thank you.

For the talents and the abundance of gifts that are oursFor the faith that stirs and grows in our heartsFor the many people who have been your instruments of goodness in our livesFor the moments when we have known the song of your presence in a special wayFor the times when your goodness has made music through us Litany of being Gods instrument of GoodnessResponse: God of goodness, help us to trust in you.

When fear rises up in us and we do not believe in our ability to be your instrumentWhen the busyness and schedules of our lives press upon us and create questions about your song within usWhen we doubt your presence in the difficult aspects of our daysWhen we loose sight of the truth that we are called to be instruments of goodnessWhen emptiness, loneliness, and other struggles keep us from hearing your melody of love

Litany of being Gods instrument of goodnessResponse: God of love, sing your song through us.

As we grow in believing in our goodnessAs we allow more and more of who we are to be influenced by your presenceAs the song of your love grows in us and the call to be your instrument becomes clearer to usAs we struggle to know how and when to share our gifts and goodness with othersAs we go forth from here with the desire to be your instruments of love

Understanding the Strengths of OTHERSWe never get to the bottom of ourselves on our own. We discover who we are face to face, side to side with others in work, loving and learning. Robert BellahVocation: The place where your souls deep gladness and the worlds deep hunger meet. Fredrick Buechner

strengthsWhat is YOUR experience?

What experience illustrates one of your themes in action? How might you build on this in the future?

OR

What experience illustrates something that you naturally do well? How might you build on this in the future?Name something you do everyday that utilizes one of your top 5 how can you build on it?

60

ExecutingInfluencingRelationship BuildingStrategicThinkingStrengthsHow are your talent the means with which God equips you to live the call of faith, relationships and work?

63Contact InformationKirsten HangasChrist the King ParishTogether Strong, LLCkirstenhangas@yahoo.com406-546-14336650 Linda Vista BlvdMissoula, MT 59803