{"id":98657,"date":"2023-04-16T09:07:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-16T13:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=98657"},"modified":"2023-04-17T11:26:32","modified_gmt":"2023-04-17T15:26:32","slug":"how-to-use-your-strengths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-use-your-strengths\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use Your Strengths: 4 Actions Leaders Should Take"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you struggling as a business leader? How do you use your strengths to lead your team to victory?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In The Way of the Seal<\/em>, Mark Divine says that business leaders must adopt a SEAL mindset to navigate the challenges of the modern work world. He examines four actions you can take to identify and tap your inner strengths so you can operate at your highest level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s how to use your strengths to become a powerful leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Action 1: Identify Your Core Compass<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Divine says that to learn how to use your strengths as a leader in a chaotic, evolving work world, you must first connect with your inner compass\u2014the internal force based on your values and goals that guides you<\/strong>. This will prevent you from getting thrown by obstacles that arise and keep you focused so you can operate from your greatest point of strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, imagine that you\u2019ve been offered a promotion at work but your inner compass<\/a> hinges on a stable family and home life. The promotion will earn you extra money, but also require that you spend more time at work\u2014including on weekends when you usually watch your kids\u2019 sports games. You decide to turn down the promotion because spending time with your family<\/a> is more important to you than the extra money from the promotion.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To identify your inner compass, you have to know what you care most about in life (your values), what fundamentally motivates you, what you feel passionate about, and what an ideal version of yourself looks like. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Action 2: Focus Intensely On Your Goals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Divine says that to connect with your inner power and be a strong leader, you must focus on your goals<\/a> with a high level of intensity\u2014what the Navy SEALS call \u201cfront sight focus,\u201d or, intensely and narrowly focused like you\u2019re aiming through the front sight of a gun. When you place your whole focus on achieving each small goal in front of you you won\u2019t get distracted by obstacles<\/strong>. This will allow you to stay calm and will give you a sense of accomplishment<\/a> each time you achieve a goal, increasing your confidence and helping you operate at your best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Divine says the Navy SEALs used front sight focus to break large tasks into small ones and capture Osama bin Laden. The SEALS didn\u2019t know where to find bin Laden, so instead they found and interviewed smaller targets who could lead them to him. Each person provided information that led to the next\u2014until, eight years later, the SEALS finally located and killed bin Laden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To focus intensely on your goals, avoid distractions, and overcome obstacles<\/a> you encounter while trying to achieve your goals<\/a>, Divine says you have to manage your squirrely mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Action 3: Confront Your Fear and Unleash Your Potential<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Divine says that to tap your inner power and operate at your peak, you have to step out of your comfort zone<\/a> and confront your fears<\/a>. Your comfort zone makes you feel safe but is actually a prison. It allows you to live in a state of fear of the unknown. This makes you reluctant to try new things and prevents you from growing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only way to escape the comfort prison is to seek out and do things you\u2019re scared of. When you push your limits and find you can conquer challenges you didn\u2019t think you could, your understanding of yourself expands<\/strong>\u2014leading to greater confidence and growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Completing a terrifying challenge taught an executive who Divine took on a rappelling trip that he could confront and survive his worst fears. Midway down a 100-foot cliff in Mexico, Divine directed the executive\u2014who had a fear of heights\u2014to take things \u201cone step at a time<\/a>.\u201d But as the executive descended he panicked, flipped upside down, and started screaming for help. Divine shouted at him to stop screaming and focus by closing his eyes and breathing deeply. The executive did as instructed, regained control, and safely reached the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To step out of your comfort zone and face your fears<\/a>, Devine says you should welcome new challenges: <\/p>\n\n\n\n