If the words above describe you, and you consider your word “your bond,” it is very possible that you have the CliftonStrengths® talent theme of Responsibility in your top 5 talents. I must say, in my coaching and consulting experience, this is one of the most powerful of the talent themes. Gallup categorizes this talent as an “executing” talent. At CoreClarity, it is classified as a relationship-building “Connect” talent focused on interacting externally. While it is true that people with high-ranking Responsibility get a LOT done, they do it for the relational payoff. So while others observe you as someone who gets things done, you experience yourself as someone who gets things done in order to care for people and enhance relationships. Read more about this powerful and sometimes confusing talent in my latest blog post…
I love people with the responsibility talent, and it’s not just because I am irresponsible. I love that they are dependable and they care so deeply for people. Those of you with responsibility feel the weight of responsibility that you, and your workplace have towards others. And yes, at times it can feel as though you are carrying the weight of the world and others are just along for the ride.
People with Responsibility high on their talent list really feel the relational implications of tasks. While they may seem task-oriented, it is usually more about being reliable, enhancing relationships, and caring for others. They are very loyal and honest. Promised results can be counted on because your reputation depends on it. If you don’t follow through on your promises you feel that the relationship will be damaged and you certainly won’t make excuses. Likewise, it can be very distressing when the leaders at a company make promises to employees or clients and don’t flow through. People will get hurt. The company will get hurt.
It is not uncommon to meet people with high-ranked Responsibility who are maxed out, over-committed, stressed out, and exhausted. And still, they find a way to get it all done! You are amazing and I salute you.
Here are some other words that describe people with Responsibility in their top 5:
- Loyal
- Committed
- Accountable
- Trusted
- Conscientious
I also want to encourage you to take more responsibility for yourself. Care for yourself as much as you care for others, maybe more. By doing so you will take better care of others. It’s like airplane safety instructions: put your mask on before you help others.
I meet many clients with Responsibility who have a hard time saying, “no.” Obviously, it is important for them to start saying “no,” but that does not make it easy. As with anything else, start small and simple and work your way up.
For example, I once told a client who has Responsibility in her top 5 to practice her “no” by telling her husband to make a ridiculous request that would be easy to decline. He was to ask her to drive to a coffee shop they liked an hour away and bring him a cup of coffee! That is a ridiculous request to make of anyone, especially a mom with kids. You would think it would be easy to say “no,” right? During our coaching time, she was actually trying to figure out how she could still get it done. Such is the power of the Responsibility talent theme. The point is, practice saying “no” to little, or ridiculous things so when you really need to say “no,” you will have the strength, the muscle memory to do so.
If you have Responsibility in your top 5 talents, how do you experience it? Do you have a hard time saying “no”? If not, share your secret to saying “no” in the comments and help out those who can’t say ‘no.” What are you doing to grow your talent so you can be even more dependable and helpful?
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