Written by: David Lutes, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Must be/ Must do. Internal ‘Drivers’: An important question we can ask ourselves – and may even be asked by a job interviewer – “What is about you that makes you stand out?”
“If I were to ask other people who know you, have interacted with you, done business with you, worked with you, etc., what is it about you that stands out in their minds?”
“What adjectives might they use to describe you (or might you use to describe yourself)?”
But this section is more than just about your physical, emotional, psychological, or social characteristics.
“It’s more than about just your personality traits.”
To some extent, it’s not even about character traits or demonstrated values.
It’s about that often hidden, ‘something special’ deep inside you that screams out for you to be truly authentic, real, genuine, and true to yourself. It’s about putting your finger on that ‘thing’ about you that will lead to you being truly happy and fulfilled … and how you might get to that place in your life.
It’s not just about what makes you stand out or what the things are that distinguish you from others; it’s about that inner compulsion, drive, a sense of purpose, mission and meaning that is often waiting to be ‘discovered’, ‘unlocked’ and ‘unleashed’! Others may even see it or sense it, but you may not.
In short, what are the natural ‘gravitational pulls’ in your life; the things that you simply ‘Must Be/Must Do’ for you to be truly ‘you’?
Who is the unique/real ‘you’ …“For me to be ‘me’…?”
e.g., “
I absolutely must serve and help others who don’t have much…”
“Without adventure, risks, and challenge, it’s like I cannot breathe…”
“I live for teaching…”
"I come alive while I’m painting and see heaven when I have finished my work…”
“Solving a complex problem is like a drug for me…”
"When I have my hands in the soil, cultivating, planting…Wow!”
“Helping my child – any child – smile and feel loved is the ultimate high – and privilege…!”
What compels you?
e.g., What is that thing (those things) you absolutely must invest yourself in, give your ‘all’ to, in order for you to feel like you have little else to say except, “I had to do it! It was worth it! It was as though I had no choice…well, because I didn’t have a choice…I was wonderfully compelled and glad I was!”
“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” –Will Rogers
How you are ‘wired’; what is your personality type?
e.g., Introvert, Extrovert, Expressor, Driver, Relator, Analyzer, Innovator, Solver, Intuitive, Thinker, Nurturer, Dreamer, Teacher, Career, Risk-taker, Creator, etc.
What ‘soil’ (organizational/business culture/social) do you grow best or thrive in?
e.g., competitive, inclusive, dog-eat-dog, risk-taking, creative, mentally intense, logical/analytical, secretive, laid-back, high pressured, collaborative, caring, military, consultative, alone, or reclusive, etc.
What life/work outcomes matter to you? And why?
e.g., to have more, buy more, win more, care more, sacrifice more, share more; or is it notoriety, prestige, power, influence, noble cause, recognition, dominance, serving, etc.?
Finding Your ‘True North’
True North is your inner sense, or your calling, of what you want to accomplish in and with your life. It's a combination of your Values, your Beliefs, and your Purpose. It keeps you on a straight track that's uniquely true for you. A compass provides the ideal metaphor. Just as a compass point toward a magnetic field, your personal ‘True North’ directs your path and pulls you forward. See Part 11 – Dream to Be – is especially important!
There are Tools and Methods to Help You Find These Things Out
There are different ‘assessment’ or profiling options available on the market these days – some cost money, some don’t. Depending on your culture and learning preferences and styles (and your budget), one or two may ‘work’ better for or be more helpful to you than others. Have a look at the following to get an idea of what help is available.
Here are some excellent tools available today.
DRIVE (Daniel Pink – Intrinsic Motivation)
SIMA (System for Identifying Motivated Abilities)
MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicators)
Mind Tools – Emotional Intelligence Basics
*"Wiredness" Your EI/EQ DNA (Self-assessment) – contact David Lutes here.
Discover Your True North – by Bill George
30 Questions to Help You Discover Your True North – by Bill George (see Part 11)
Life is not about who you once were. It is about who you are right now, and the person you have the potential to be.
*NOTE: Ask me about No. 6 as part of your personal coaching sessions.
David Lutes, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
David Lutes is a global talent management, organizational development and leadership coach, consultant and trainer. A former church pastor, he is radically and passionately committed to helping people discover their meaning, purpose and direction for their life and career. He has been described as a 'gift and latent skill detector and developer', as he helps people and the organizations they work in discover the wealth and richness within their people.
