Default and Intersection
Have you ever wondered if you have a default talent? A go-to talent? A dominating or overpowering talent? It’s always first in line! When life is wobbly or demanding, for whatever reason, this talent always seems to come out with guns blazing with much force and energy!
During one of my recent 1:1 coaching sessions, we chatted about what often happens around insecurities and pressure points. We discovered that when the boat felt rocked, there was a default talent that consistently popped up and rendered itself as the only pathway. My client would tap extensively into this talent to try and find a pathway to move forward and for safeguarding. In so doing, the other natural options available to them, through their other dominant talents, were limited and sometimes not even on the radar. This session made me think broader. Perhaps others have a default talent they tap into when rocky moments kick in. I know I do.
When I feel frustrated, out of control and/or extremely stressed, I am tempted to kick into busy work mode. My Achiever talent in full force! Actually, to be honest, in overdrive! It helps me to control ‘something’. While it helps me escape temporarily, there is a lot at stake. My Achiever falls into the trap of basement behavior: unbalanced and overly focused on work! This is then, not very helpful to others or me.
Have you ever considered… when you’re stressed; overwhelmed, pushed to the edge or in the face of a big, uncomfortable or confronting challenge or crisis, do you kick into a default talent? That talent, isolated, may give you temporary security and/or comfort, but it is not a long-term solution or the best solution. It’s not that we should ignore that talent- that’s why it called a ‘talent’, but rather, that we should intersect that talent with our other talents intentionally in these moments. This will prevent us from being imbalanced and from denying ourselves of the rich contribution the other dominant talents offer. The intersection then supports that default talent and helps keep it in the balcony – a healthy functioning space!
When we default to one talent, it goes without saying that the other dominant talents are overpowered, smothered, ignored and dormant. These talents then live in the shadow of the default talent and do not have a chance to impact fully.
It’s at this point that it’s important to get back to the basics, which we know so well but often struggle to do…
- Name ALL of your dominant talents.
- Single out each talent and ask how it can give you traction to navigate this space you’re in. How can it help you to move forward. Plan a few deliberate intersections with your default talent!
- Also, revisit the GALLUP Strengths Insights Cards: I will (doing), I need (requirements) and I bring (contribution)
- If you still don’t have clarity, look back on a past successful journey. Ask how your other dominant talents helped you before? Remember a past intersection!
- Identify what you need more or less of.
- Adjust the volumes of your dominant talents accordingly.
- Make your best move.
Interestingly, I have also observed this to be the norm with some of my clients – not just in difficult times. Some clients default to a certain ‘way’ in most things. As a result, they are not using their full set of dominant talents, only a measure thereof. Default and routine isn’t always the best route. After exploring and owning all of their talents, they are now able to intersect them with their default ‘way’. This experience has opened up multiple approaches and possibilities to propel them toward their goals. And this gives them increased hope and confidence!
You have so much at your disposal. Embrace it all! It’s not a set recipe. How much richer a journey can be through intersection, where the talents meet!