If I Ruled The World
Because only people like me should be in charge!!!
Not too long ago, when I was an Agile Coach, I developed a strengths-based coaching system that worked. Teams learned the new processes quickly and developed higher-quality software.
However, it was not my idea to increase team productivity by focusing on strengths. It was Donald Clifton’s. In 1999, he created the StrengthsFinders Assessment to help people develop strengths themes into true strengths.
“What will happen when we think about what is right with people rather than fixating on what is wrong with them?” ~Donald O. Clifton
Of the 34 strengths themes, my themes at the peak of my software engineering career were Futuristic, Strategic, Maximizer, Adaptability, and Ideation. That combination contributed greatly to my success as an Agile Coach.
I am a writer now and no longer use the 34 themes to support team development, but I still use them. All the time. For plot and character development.1 My most recent character is a Harmony protagonist for a short story inspired by a strengths theme report from around the world.2
Isn’t that interesting? Out of over 21 million assessments, Achiever is #1 overall and #1 in twenty-four countries.
“Achiever describes a constant need for achievement. You feel as if every day starts at zero. By the end of the day you must achieve something tangible in order to feel good about yourself. And by “every day” you mean every single day — workdays, weekends, vacations.” — StrengthsFinders 2.0
I am not surprised that Achiever is the top theme in the United States. It seems to be the foundation of the American Dream, capitalism, the pull yourself up by your own bootstraps’ ism.
Learner is #2 overall and #1 in fifty-one countries with Learner leading much of Europe.
“You love to learn. The subject matter that interests you most will be determined by your other themes and experiences, but whatever the subject, you will always be drawn to the process of learning.” — StrengthsFinders 2.0
Responsibility is #3 overall and #1 in twenty-five countries with most in Africa and southern Asia.
“Your Responsibility theme forces you to take psychological ownership for anything you commit to, and whether large or small, you feel emotionally bound to follow it through to completion. Your good name depends on it. — StrengthsFinders 2.0
This data got me thinking, wondering, and imagining. Especially after seeing Japan as the only country, besides Thailand, that does not have Achiever in their top 10. Japan’s top 5 themes are Maximizer, Harmony, Learner, Individualization, and Empathy. Achiever is #15! It’s as if they rejected it.
I wonder why?
Is it because people form the culture? Or the culture forms the people? Are our strengths themes innate? Or are they influenced by cultural expectations? It’s the whole nature vs nurture thing but at a much grander scale.
Anyway, my new short story, If I Ruled the World, is the outcome of this speculation. In it, the protagonist travels throughout a far galaxy observing and interacting with cultures formed from the premise that only people like me should be in charge.
The idea for this story is complex (and I haven’t even started it yet), so instead of publishing weekly, I am moving the serial to a bi-weekly schedule. That should be enough time to write a few pages of unforgettable words.3
Are you ready to explore the cosmos with me?
See you in two weeks for the first episode of IF I RULED THE WORLD.
Until then, take some time to ponder the following questions.
Of the 34 themes, which one(s) do you think should be in charge?
Who is your favorite leader? What theme(s) do they lead with?
What theme(s) do you think Jesus led from?
That is probably why my themes have morphed into Futuristic, Strategic, Maximizer, Intellection, and Relator.
I cannot confirm if this report is a product of the Gallup organization, or if the data included in it is trustworthy. Regardless. It has inspired my imagination to create a completely fictional story. No harm. No foul.
I HOPE!
This Nas's song starts playing in my head everytime I read those words
Of those strengths, I think the most important two for a leader to have are Empathy and Communication. A story where the cultures are completely built around one of these traits sounds very intriguing. The planet of 'Woo' seems like it could be a particularly brilliant one - where everyone is always trying to please everyone else! Good luck with it... 😎