Rating: 
Summary: Interesting insights but weak on a unifying theory
Review: This book provides some key insights, but is a bit thin in relevant content - especially for those looking to leverage strengths. Some of the books solid points:
1 - Focusing on strengths is a contratrian idea in many companies, and it is very important for people to know that focusing on their strong spots is up to them.
2 - The online survey is a very informative tool - perhaps the most useful diagnosis I've taken. After using it, you'll say, "Wow, that makes sense!"
3 - The book should open your mind as a manager to staffing, leadership and development opportunities. Weak spots - even if we're not supposed to focus on them :-):
1 - With the descriptions spread over so many strengths, the reader is left with a lot of fluff and unread material if they're focusing on self development.
2 - The book tends to be written as a group of large lists, with detail on each strength. A theory tying them together would be helpful for putting it into practice. The average manager is hard pressed to use such a thick catalogue.
3 - Fixating on 5 strengths seems a bit restrictive. Maybe some people have 3 or 4 or 6? It would be useful if the tool could give relative weights or scores on them as well. In summary, the book is best used as a survey for folks interested in a self assessment. More depth (a follow-up book?) is needed to put the ideas into general practice.
Rating: 
Summary: Everyone can benefit
Review: NOW, DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS is a fitting sequel to FIRST, BREAK ALL THE RULES also by the Gallup Organization. Marcus Buckingham was one of the co-authors of the earlier book. This book provides practical information on how to Individualize management based on each person's Strengths which are related to their talents. Gallup has styled a StrengthsFinder Profiler which can used by organizations and is available for individual evaluation to purchasers of the book. There are 34 Themes identified which suggest broad talent areas. The authors assert that "...you will be most successful when you craft your role to play to your signature talents most of the time." It's also true with managers directing their staff. There are numerous examples of real-life success stories as well as ample information on each of the 34 Themes - both from the individual's standpoint and for the manager. As pointed out in the earlier book also, it's counter-productive to evaluate everyone based on the same criteria and focus on weaknesses. It's far better to recognize what each position's talents are and hire people with those talents; with existing staff, move people around as practical to optimize each person's talents. Another key point repeated in the newer book is not to promote people above where their talent and value is; they are more likely to fail and/or be unhappy. Find a way to reward and challenge them while they're doing what they excel in. NOW, DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS is a valuable resource for everyone.
Rating:
Summary: You are stronger than you think
Review: This book is strong. This book is alot like my favorite book, The Little Guide To Happiness, in that it encourages one to think grand thoughts.
Rating:
Summary: Worthwhile New Framework On Your Self
Review: "Now, Discover Your Strengths" is a refreshing break from the standard Myers-Briggs evaluation of your personality. Instead of the old Introvert-Extravert, Thinking-Perceiving, etc. framework we've all enjoyed, here we have 34 different themes to identify our strengths. Examples are Discipline, Fairness, Analytical, Competition, Learner, Strategic, and Futuristic. By discovering which themes resonate with your own strengths, you can determine what sort of work you should be doing. As a person who enjoys reading about personality profiling, I've been through quite a bit of material. This book may well be my favorite, even over the classic "Do What You Are." Your book will come with a code that allows you to take the test online, which is a nice bonus and works much better than having to mark up your copy and turn pages to figure out a score.
Rating:
Summary: "Tap your talents--learn your strengths!"
Review: This book is best described as a 'formula' for finding your strong points, skills and talents. I found it helpful--intriguing at times, but the results of what it suggests are fully dependent on how you answer various questions. It is helpful to know your strengths--especially when trouble happens. In this genre, I really like 'With Joseph in the University of Adversity', but would be hard pressed to pick between the two.
Rating:
Summary: This book has strengths . . . and a weakness or two.
Review: Before I begin, first let me state that this is an excellent book. It is valuable for everyone to read. STRENGTHS: Like most programs of this sort, the StrengthsFinder inventory repeats back to you just what you told it. It doesn't create your profile, it reveals it. This book will help you become more self aware. This book is written in a simple style with easy to read "bullets" that will help you get the most out of your particular make up. The strengths covered by this book are phrased differently than the typical personality profile, a welcome relief for those who know only the Myers/Briggs format. WEAKNESSES: First, I am not convinced that we are predisposed with a particular make up. There is truth to our makeups, but we can also be changed by outside influences. I took this inventory and read the book as part of a training seminar in a room filled with religious people. You might imagine the internal struggle that took place in that room when the instructor reported that some people are more religious than others, not because they really have a religious belief, but because their make up was predisposed toward religion. The book is not so blunt as that instructor, but this will be one idea you may wrestle with. Second, as with all such books and inventories, they sometimes become self-fullfilling prophecies. It is possible to act a certain way because that is the way we BELIEVE we are wired. I've taken MANY inventories through the years and taken them many times. I am not so impressed with how similar they all turn out, as by how different I am. My opinion: This book is interesting and refreshing. Do not let my negative comments stop you from reading it. I would not have given it **** had it not been worth the read.
Rating:
Summary: Lead through five strengths
Review: Now Discover Your Strengths is an excellent book for managers, employees and entrepreneurs in the workplace to determine optimum job placement and task preferences. I have been involved in self improvement and professional education for many years. This book offers a new perspective. By focusing on strengths, we gain most. The online assessment is excellent and is worth the price of the book. Another book, Optimal Thinking-How To Be Your Best Self is also worthy of recommendation. Optimal Thinking takes the reader above the old "think positive" motto and shows us how to be our best in any situation and make the most of it.
Rating:
Summary: Learning Who You Are
Review: The book is a great resource for understanding your strengths and discovering what makes you tick. I also purchased the Emotional Intelligence Quickbook which was a reader recommendation for this book and it was excellent. Like NDYS, it came with a free test, but this one let me see how I behave in different situations and whether I am intelligent with my emotions. The result is I have a picture of my strengths (my stable style) as well as a look at what skills I can improve in the moment as I interact with other people (emotional intelligence) and my strengths help with that. Anyhow, I recommend the combo of NDYS and the Emotional Intelligence Quickbook.
Rating:
Summary: Proper Focus
Review: Why focus on your weakness when you can excell with your strengths? Ingenius, really. Also, along the same lines of this genre, I like the book, The Little Guide To Happiness. Both very different yet similiar reads about personal success.
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF MY SECRETS WEAPONS
Review: This book has been one of my secret weapons in my war for self re-invention. It has been invaluable in my quest for business and career success, as have Tami's "I Want That Body" workout dvd for re-creating my body in the image I've always had in my mind's eye, and the "New Sex Now" dvd was for re-vitalizing my intimate relations with my husband into the loving and passionate bond I'd always dreamed of. Discover your goals, ambitions, and desires, then put your strengths to work in achieving the life you always wanted.
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