Presentation for the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPs) group at Blacksburg United Methodist Church, 02/24/2014.

1. Dreaming Your Story:
Opportunities for Strengths Development
Presented by
Eric K. Kaufman
for
Blacksburg United Methodist Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPs)

2. Who is Eric Kaufman?
• Associate Professor &
Extension Specialist @
Virginia Tech
• Coordinator of VT’s
Graduate Certificate in
Collaborative Community
Leadership
• Former H.S. AgriScience
Teacher
• Father of Ethan & Sara
• Husband of Shevon!

3. Personal SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Weaknesses
•What do you do well?
•What do others see as your
strengths?
•What could you improve?
•What are others likely to see as
weaknesses?
Opportunities
Threats
•What trends could you take
advantage of?
•How can you turn your strengths
into opportunities?
•What trends could harm you?
•What threats do your weaknesses
expose you to?
Worksheet and instructions available at http://bit.ly/pSWOT

4. What to do with the SWOT data…
According to Gallup’s research the most
effective leaders:
1. Are always investing in strengths
2. Surround themselves with the right people
and then maximize their team
3. Understand their followers needs
Reference: Rath & Conchie’s (2008) Strengths Based Leadership

5. What Makes You Come Alive?

6. Oprah & Buckingham on Strengths
http://bit.ly/1mt3R2O
http://bit.ly/1dqzvYO

7. Leadership Myths &Truths
(Buckingham, 2008)
Myths
• Each of us can be
anything we want if
we just work hard.
Truths

8. Leadership Myths &Truths
(Buckingham, 2008)
Myths
Truths
• Each of us can be
anything we want if
we just work hard.
• You can be anything
your strengths allow
you to be.

9. Lessons from TinkerBell
http://youtu.be/MuZ_ywUnjdk

10. Leadership Myths &Truths
(Buckingham, 2008)
Myths
Truths
• Each of us can be
anything we want if
we just work hard.
• We grow most where
we are weakest.
• You can be anything
your strengths allow
you to be.

11. Leadership Myths &Truths
(Buckingham, 2008)
Myths
Truths
• Each of us can be
anything we want if
we just work hard.
• We grow most where
we are weakest.
• You can be anything
your strengths allow
you to be.
• We grow most in
areas we are already
strong.

12. Buckingham on Grades
http://youtu.be/o_DP0zFLhmk

13. Leadership Myths &Truths
(Buckingham, 2008)
Myths
Truths
• Each of us can be
anything we want if
we just work hard.
• We grow most where
we are weakest.
• You can be anything
your strengths allow
you to be.
• We grow most in
areas we are already
strong.
• Strengths will take
care of themselves.

14. Leadership Myths &Truths
(Buckingham, 2008)
Myths
Truths
• Each of us can be
anything we want if
we just work hard.
• We grow most where
we are weakest.
• You can be anything
your strengths allow
you to be.
• We grow most in
areas we are already
strong.
• I can be taught
knowledge and skills,
but I can’t learn
talents.
• Strengths will take
care of themselves.

15. Lessons from “Good Will Hunting”
http://youtu.be/8gfipuaIA68

16. What is a Strength? Weakness?
STRENGTH
• Consistent, near perfect performance
in an activity
Knowledge + Skills + Talents
= STRENGTH
WEAKNESS
• Something that gets in the way of
excellent performance

17. INDICATORS OF WEAKNESS
•
Feel defensive about performance
–
•
Exhibit slow learning
–
•
•
•
Develop obsessive behavior
Do not profit from with repeated experience
Experience a reduction of confidence
from performing the activity
Lack futuristic thinking about the activity
Suffer burnout while practicing

18. How Do I Find My Strengths?
 Listen to your yearnings
 Watch for satisfactions
 Watch for rapid learning
 Glimpses of excellence
 Total performance of excellence

19. APPLYING WHAT WE HAVE
LEARNED

20. Children’s Opportunity to Grow & Learn
In 2012, 80% of Americans said
most children in their country
have the opportunity to learn and
grow every day, while 66% said
they are treated with dignity and
respect.

21. Children’s Opportunity to Grow & Learn
http://www.gallup.com/poll/166994/scores-low-children.aspx

22. Implications?

23. How Do I Develop?
http://www.faithmentoringandmore.com/html/articles/idea_9.htm
• Identify Priorities
• Craft Mission/Vision
• Outline Goals
• Execute

24. Questions & Discussion
• Please Contact Me:
– Eric Kaufman,
EKK@VT.Edu