Whatever your “title,” you are a mentor. You want to help young people to see themselves as strong and capable, but sometimes you get so distracted by the deficits in their lives – difficult home life, unsupportive teachers, disruptive behavior, self-defeating attitudes, systems that don’t always work - that it is hard to see where the strengths are. This presentation was a part of the May 3, 2012 Alberta Mentoring Partnership Webinar with Chris Trout. Chris will shares his research and stories in a “real life” way that will change the way you see the young people in your life and work. Then, he walks you through some practical strategies to help you recognize and grow these strengths, while still challenging them and holding them accountable for their actions. You will… Gain a deep and practical understanding of why our strengths are the key to resiliency and success - not just in theory, but in action. Explore the art of seeing through “deficits” to the underlying strengths. Learn to communicate and grow these strengths - specifically, authentically and effectively - and help kids and families see themselves as strong, capable and resource rich. To view the recorded webinar please visit here: http://www.albertamentors.ca/admin/contentx/default.cfm?h=5&PageId=13293

1. FOCUS for Resiliency and Success:
Focus on Critical Underlying Strengths
Alberta Mentoring Partnership
AMP Webinar Series
Chris Trout, Strengths in Focus
www.strengthsinfocus.com
chris@strengthsinfocus.com
(207) 767-2024

2. Webinar Logistics
- All attendees muted for best sound
- Type questions and comments in the question box;
responses will either be direct to you by or shared with
all attendees
- “Raise your hand” to be unmuted at the end of the
session to ask any questions live.
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3. Webinar Downloads
• Links to slides and recording of webinar will
be posted to this short-link:
• http://goo.gl/cntq5
• (If you forgot to download the handouts you may also go to the link above)
• There will be a brief survey upon exiting the
webinar and resource links in a follow up e-
mail.
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11. Where we focus is what we see…
so what we think is true…
so what we think about
& what we talk about
& take action on…
which focuses
our attention
producing
evidence
it’s true
notice
name
focus
act

12. Dispassionate
Noticing

13. What we know
We are resilient beings!
In every moment,
striving to self-right,
no matter how clumsy
and self-defeating

14. Dr. Martin Seligman
Deficits Strengths

16. Quick!
What do
these five
have in
common?

17. What we know
Thoughts are best
predictor of success
Strengths = best ROI
(fixing = worst ROI)

19. “If there were only one truth,
you couldn't paint a hundred
canvases on the same theme.”
~ Pablo Picasso

20. Focus
On
Critical
Underlying
Strengths

21. Following the clues
Stubborn

22. Following the clues
Persistent

23. Following the clues
Uncooperative

24. Following the clues
Inner Directed

25. Following the clues
Manipulative

26. Following the clues
Resourceful

27. Paradox Pie
Deficits Strengths
Stubborn
Poor
Abused
Learning disabled
Bad neighborhood
Missing adults

28. Paradox Pie
Deficits Strengths
Insightful
Persistent
Social
Charming
Competent

29. Paradox Pie
Deficits Strengths
Stubborn Insightful
Poor Persistent
Abused Social
Learning disabled
Charming
Bad neighborhood
Competent
Missing adults

30. "It takes courage to grow up
and turn out to be who you
really are."
~ E. E. Cummings

31. “You can only manifest what
you already are.”
~ Chris Trout

33. Be the alternate mirror
Be more curious than
judging…
Then teach me right back!

34. To cut through the clutter, be…
Specific
Authentic
Effective

35. B
E Y
O
U

36. Celebrate Blowing It!

37. "So much has been
given to me; I have no
time to ponder over
that which has been
denied." ~ Helen Keller

39. Thank you!
• Links to slides and recording of webinar will
be posted to this short-link:
• http://goo.gl/cntq5
• There will be a brief survey upon exiting the
webinar and resource links in a follow up
email.
• Follow us:
http://goo.gl/jrTgi http://goo.gl/A4XjS http://goo.gl/saI5W
http://goo.gl/mWPAM http://goo.gl/ZguEq 39

40. Join us for Chris’
“Yea, but…” session
• Wednesday, May 15, 2012 1:30 pm EST
• This is your opportunity to ask Chris the specific, tough questions that came
to mind during the webinar. Chris will respond with concrete examples,
stories and exercises to get down to the brass tacks of seeing, thinking and
mentoring from a strengths perspective. He’ll even share strategies to help
you sustain this perspective even in the face of little support, challenging
circumstances and too little time.
• This is when “aha” becomes “Ah, yes, I see what to do now!“
• REGISTER HERE: http://goo.gl/8aLor
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