CliftonStrengths: Does My Twin Brother Share My Top Strengths?

I did a 90 mins CliftonStrengths coaching session with my TWIN BROTHER a few weeks ago and it was such an amazing experience. Ravi has worked in exec leadership roles at startups the last number of years and I was so curious to explore how his strengths show up at work.

First off, I did NOT guess his strengths/talents correctly! This bruised my coach ego but it was also fascinating to learn why I was wrong. I was convinced that my brother leads with Influencing and Relationship Building (two of the four domains on the assessment) because he’s such a people person and he’s so good in front of big groups (pretty sure he’s MC-ed every wedding).

He is also quick on his feet and very good at putting out fires (Strategic Thinking, we call him the CEO of our family) and he likes to get things done and be productive, especially in relation to what he has committed to (Executing).

This will get a bit heady …but what I learned is that he actually leads with Strategic Thinking and Execution. Why? He has cultivated these strengths over the years as a leader. They speak to him. They align it his leadership style and values. I realized I assumed his top strengths would basically be something like what I perceived his natural talents were/are growing up. But as human being, we all evolve and grow into ourselves as adults. We find ourselves cultivating certain strengths that align to who we want to be in the world. We can be talented in many areas (including wedding Mc-ing) but our top strengths are the talents that we *decide to invest in and develop.*

I do want to say that I’m so proud of who my twin brother has become and his openness to slow down and reflect together. It was such a moving experience to spend time with each other in this way and really hear him without the gaggle of our kids interrupting every five minutes. It’s such a blessing to be on this unexpected but fulfilling path that I find myself on.

Ravi’s Top Five: Context | Arranger | Adaptability | Responsibility | Analytical