What's the difference between skills, talents, and strengths?

Do you use these terms interchangeably? Perhaps you think they are the same thing. Let's take a peek at what they mean...

Skills defines are those things you're relatively good at, whether innate or learned.

Talents defined are skills that you have a natural ability to do well. They still may have to be refined and developed further, buy you have a natural ability to do them with relative ease.

So, to confuse matters what about the definition of strengths...this is where we see the real difference. Strengths are deeper skills. They are more overarching and sometimes less specific than skills are to a given task. Our dictionary defines strength as "an extremely valuable or useful ability, asset or quality."

Strengths might encompass several skills!!! Notice...strengths are not minor abilities, but assets of tremendous value. Skills are a subset of strengths.

For example, asking good, probing questions to learn what a customer needs is a skill. Using the answers to those questions to shape customer-centered solutions is a strength.

Strengths make you stronger for all of your future endeavors.

I tell my clients/leaders to tap into their strengths when they take a 360. Why? Because that's where they are going to get the most impact. It's an interesting process as most people focus on the weakness aspect of their 360. It's a mistake. Always focus on your strengths to drive forward your career, your life, and your innate potential.

Become who you are meant to be!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGODurRfVv4

What are you doing to hone in on your strengths?