Every person is different and every person has certain strengths. Today it is more common to hear about people who have certain diversities to be able to channel these as potential super strengths.
This can include people who may have aspects of autism, dyslexia, ADHD or OCD. Some may be introverted, have lopsided personalities, labelled as slow learners or demonstrate other characteristics.
Such people may find it challenging to be in certain situations. They may also have certain strengths, however, that they can channel in positive ways.
One view is that one person in seven has a brain that functions in a very different way compared to others. They can find it difficult to operate in some situations but flourish and apply their abilities in other environments.
People who learn how to use such abilities often describe the support given to them by parents, teachers and other significant people. Many also recognise it was important to accept themselves.
They were then more able to channel their personality rather than change their personality. Those who went on to thrive often had certain things in common.
They were supported by key people in their life – such as a parent, teacher or another significant person.
They were told to believe in themselves but were also taught how to survive or thrive in various situations.
They began to learn how use their differences to help themselves or other people.
People want stability, stimulation and the chance to succeed. Growing up in such an environment can then help them to develop. The following sections describe the potential strengths of people who demonstrate certain characteristics.
The Strengths Of People
Who Are Dyslexic
Some people who are dyslexic have specific strengths. These are described on the many websites that focus on helping people to build on these talents. Here is a summary of these qualities.
Dyslexics are highly aware of the environment … They are more curious than average … They think mainly in pictures instead of words … They like to move and experiment with things.
They are highly intuitive and insightful … They use many of their senses – which means they think and perceive multi-dimensionally … They have vivid imaginations.
Dyslexics often do well in certain kinds of work. These include entrepreneurship, some aspects of business, the arts, work where they can move or create things and engineering.
The Strengths Of People
Who Have Autism
Thorkil Sonne took this approach when his son Lars was discovered to have autism. He created the Specialisterne Foundation that aims to create one million jobs. Here is how Thorkil describes the strengths of such people.
People with autism often have outstanding memories, a remarkable eye for detail and do repetitive tasks with enthusiasm. These skills can be valuable for companies that specialise in developing technology.
My vision is to create new possibilities for people with ASD and to influence society to adopt a more positive attitude towards people with ASD.
Even more people may have other disorders on the autism spectrum, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). These are all potential specialist people – with great business potential.
It is believed that one percent of the world’s population may have Autism Spectrum Disorder. This is equivalent to 68 million people worldwide.
The Strengths Of People
Who Have ADHD
Some people who have ADHD demonstrate certain strengths. They are often energetic, driven and focused. They love to set goals, make a plan and follow it to achieve success.
Such people can be helped to channel their energies in ways they find stimulating. They may then do superb work when playing a sport, performing in the arts, driving sales or working towards achieving other goals.
The Strengths Of People Who
Have Lopsided Personalities
Some people have lopsided personalities. They may be brilliant in some areas but totally blank in others. Warren Buffett described himself in this way. Here is a summary of what he said.
“I have a lopsided personality. I am brilliant with numbers but I cannot tell you the colour of the wallpaper in my room at home. Even though I have lived in the same house for over fifty years.”
A person with a lopsided personality may see things quickly in one area of life. They can tell you exactly what is happening and what is about to happen. In other areas they don’t see a thing.
If appropriate, they can be helped to build on their strengths and manage the consequences of any weaknesses.
The Strengths Of People
Who Are Introverts
Susan Cain’s book Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking highlighted the strengths of such people. Some introverts display the following characteristics.
Introverts like to feel in control of their world. They therefore often rehearse what they are going to do next. Some also learn how to buy time to think and make good decisions when the unexpected happens.
They then click into action. They feel in control because they know: a) the role; b) the rules to follow to get the right results. Such people may then go home and regain energy by do things that they find rewarding as an introvert.
The Strengths Of People
Who Are Slow Learners
Such people are happy in their own company but some make a living by going into role. They may do this by being a medic, trusted advisor, actor, leader or another role.
Ian Leslie wrote an article called In Praise Of Slow Learners that described the advantages of such people. These include the following characteristics.
They learn slowly but methodically … They take time to gather information and fully understand a topic … They then put the ideas into action … They keep practicing until they make things work … They then internalise these strategies for achieving future success.
Ian says there are advantages and disadvantages to being such a learner. But sometimes it is possible to apply the advantages in ways that deliver success. He explains this in the following way.
Everybody has strengths. Some individuals have brains which function in certain ways that can become super strengths. They can then learn how to channel their personality rather than change their personality.
Let’s return to your own life and work. Can you think of a situation where you may want to apply elements of this approach? How can you do this in your own way?
If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
The Strengths Of People
Who Are DyslexicSome people who are dyslexic have specific strengths. These are described on the many websites that focus on helping people to build on these talents. Here is a summary of these qualities.
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