Living Your Strengths.

Book Review.

Winseman,A.L., Clifton, D.O., Liesveld, C. Living Your Strengths. Discover your God-given talents and inspire your community. Gallop Press. 2004.

Comment. Henry
As the subheading suggests, this is a resource that is focused on discovering and applying personal talents in order to be a difference maker in one’s community. It comes with an on line tool “Clifton Strengths Finder”. This assessment tool reveals “signature themes” (thirty four of them) of strengths and talents and explains how they can best be applied in a person’s life. It is this practical focus that is the strength of this resource.

“A strength is the ability to provide consistent, near-perfect performance in a given activity.” (3). our strengths are the sum of our talents and skills in action. Our personal growth and development will happen sooner by focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses.

Some of the strengths identified are described by adjectives such as achiever, deliberative, futuristic, learner, relator, etc. These strengths are affirmed by portions of scripture. Insights presented are helpful in determining how a particular talent fits into effective ministry. “Your talents determine how to approach problem solving in your spiritual life.” (102).

“You will be successful because of who you are, not because of who you are not.” (182). the discovery and development of Spiritual Gifts is not the same as discovering talents although they work in combination. “When we recognize, celebrate, and develop the diversity of talents that live among us, we are fulfilling God’s purpose not just for our individual lives, but also for the Church.” (203).

The major content of the book deals with identifying and explaining the thirty four “signature themes” presented in the “Clifton Strengths Finder”.

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