Scan barcode
4lbxrtoii's review
2.0
pov: your dad thinks you're going to be a great leader someday but thinks I'm too "lazy" as of now and wants me psychoanalyze and self diagnose myself so he gives me this book to "improve myself?"
cilantro's review
2.0
Rounded from 2.5
I understand the intent of this book but maybe because it's an old book I find the ideas presented not so new. And the book hinges on two things:
1. That talent is innate and that you can pick it up quickly without prior training. This kind of thought process honestly reminds me of the burnt-out gifted kid who drops activities the moment they aren’t immediately good at them.
2. You taking their Strengths-Finder quiz that is now paywalled
I understand the intent of this book but maybe because it's an old book I find the ideas presented not so new. And the book hinges on two things:
1. That talent is innate and that you can pick it up quickly without prior training. This kind of thought process honestly reminds me of the burnt-out gifted kid who drops activities the moment they aren’t immediately good at them.
2. You taking their Strengths-Finder quiz that is now paywalled
vll295's review
4.0
A mentor of mine recommended this book to me. I thought it was an interesting shift in thoughts to go from focusing on what you dont do well, to capitializing on your strengths. I enjoyed it.
camichristine's review
4.0
Very interesting. When I received the results, I was shocked, but fascinated. They did seem spot on, although I would be interested to take the test again and see if I get the same results. (I did this about 2 years ago for work.)
sarah_reading_party's review
2.0
we read this book as a group at work. while there were definitely some weird aspects of this book, i think it was helpful for one reason alone: a perspective shift from focusing only on weaknesses. if you focus on your strengths, then there is more potential for growth as an employee and as a person because of positivity. that being said, this was a typical business book so some aspects of it were just bizarre and not applicable to people in all fields. taking the strengthsfinder test was neat though.
kellypigeon's review
3.0
Great concept - love the idea of playing to your strengths rather than fighting to fit a mold that isn't for you. The whole chapter on Managing Strengths is great for managers to find how to individually approach and work with their teams. That alone should have moved this book to at least 4 stars.
However, you don't have access to the actual Strengths Finder tool unless you buy a new copy of the book or an online access code. And if you're going to do that, you should be reading the updated version of this book StrengthsFinders 2.0 anyway, which takes this edition down another notch too.
However, you don't have access to the actual Strengths Finder tool unless you buy a new copy of the book or an online access code. And if you're going to do that, you should be reading the updated version of this book StrengthsFinders 2.0 anyway, which takes this edition down another notch too.
lorathelibrarian's review
3.0
I enjoyed this book. I read it with my boss and we had a mini book club with it. There were parts that weren't completely relevant for me at my currently position in life (I'm not a manager and I don't work high up in a large organization). However, I think that over time I will find this book to be very helpful if I ever become a manager. It's a tool that I will keep with me. Personally, I've found it more enlightening than my graduate level management course I'm taking.
A large section of the book discusses how each person has 5 inherent talents that are can be transformed into strengths. This was very enlightening and interesting. I was able to discover my talents and now I can work towards making them strengths. If I didn't already know what I wanted to do with my life, these talents would have helped and guided me in the right direction.
A large section of the book discusses how each person has 5 inherent talents that are can be transformed into strengths. This was very enlightening and interesting. I was able to discover my talents and now I can work towards making them strengths. If I didn't already know what I wanted to do with my life, these talents would have helped and guided me in the right direction.
thelauramay's review against another edition
Starting my review just now, I took a moment to decide which bookshelves to add this book to. I went to put it with 'non-fiction', then realised that's total nonsense, as this book is a pile of baloney with the overall validity of a weekly horoscope. I cannot believe the amount of money they are pulling out of people with this tripe, and i'm absolutely shocked by the positive ratings the book has received.
"Now, Discover Your Strengths" was recommended to me by a respected professor, and while I was somewhat cynical, I eventually got around to opening it up. The first few chapters were not totally unreasonable, and I definitely agree that people should focus on strengths rather than necessarily dedicating all their time to amending their weaknesses. Though perhaps that's just because I know it's how I work - I enjoy work most when i'm working closely with another colleague who compensates for the skills that I lack. Because #teamwork. I do think that a focus on building up strengths, and complementary strengths at that, is a good way in which businesses can approach training decisions.
How, ev, er. I forked over the money to take the test, and my results were ludicrous. My skills were Strategic, Achiever, Activator, Learner, Analytical. Fair enough, four of those I can see in myself. But 'activator'? No. I quizzed friends and former colleagues, and they also couldn't see it. And given i'm not someone who will try and fit into a label just because it's accorded me, I kept picking at it. Where 'strategic' is roughly 'takes in all information then produces a plan', and 'activator' is 'taking action before receiving all information', how can I *possibly* be both of these at once?! They're opposites??? So I took it up with the test providers, whose response was that "well, results can be surprising".
There is no science in this, it is - as another reviewer put it - a Cosmo quiz for the business age. Don't waste your time, and don't waste your money. DNF at page 124.
"Now, Discover Your Strengths" was recommended to me by a respected professor, and while I was somewhat cynical, I eventually got around to opening it up. The first few chapters were not totally unreasonable, and I definitely agree that people should focus on strengths rather than necessarily dedicating all their time to amending their weaknesses. Though perhaps that's just because I know it's how I work - I enjoy work most when i'm working closely with another colleague who compensates for the skills that I lack. Because #teamwork. I do think that a focus on building up strengths, and complementary strengths at that, is a good way in which businesses can approach training decisions.
How, ev, er. I forked over the money to take the test, and my results were ludicrous. My skills were Strategic, Achiever, Activator, Learner, Analytical. Fair enough, four of those I can see in myself. But 'activator'? No. I quizzed friends and former colleagues, and they also couldn't see it. And given i'm not someone who will try and fit into a label just because it's accorded me, I kept picking at it. Where 'strategic' is roughly 'takes in all information then produces a plan', and 'activator' is 'taking action before receiving all information', how can I *possibly* be both of these at once?! They're opposites??? So I took it up with the test providers, whose response was that "well, results can be surprising".
There is no science in this, it is - as another reviewer put it - a Cosmo quiz for the business age. Don't waste your time, and don't waste your money. DNF at page 124.