Ahlstrom-munksjo Procurement Team Strengths Workshop: From strengths theory to strengths applied

 Welcome. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to participate in your leadership meeting in January. I know this is an opportunity for you to meet each other, discuss strategies for working effectively together, and building synergies across the various businesses. As a member of the Procurement Organization you know the value of understanding the qualities and attributes of the resources you are bringing to the company. Likewise, you and the people on your team possess unique qualities and attributes that when leveraged, can bring lasting and sustainable value to Ahlstrom-Munksjo in the form of increased productivity, higher employee engagement and improved customer satisfaction.

In our workshop on the 9th I will show you how to tap into your strengths and the strengths of your team-mates. We will go beyond the theory of strengths to giving you simple, practical tools for applying your strengths - improving not only your work life but your personal life as well.

Below are instructions that I would like each of you to complete prior to the session on the 9th. If you have any questions about the materials please contact me at: Regina@WinsightCoaching.com or 1-920-863-1287. Until we meet in January, I wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season. - Regina Kramer

Pre-Work:

To ensure we have a productive and fun event please complete the following at least 1 week prior to the 9th.

Step 1 - Assessment

Complete the Strengths Assessment. As part of this event I invite you to complete the CliftonStrengths® Assessment (previously known as StrengthsFinder). This assessment will provide you with a listing of your strengths.

Option A- Theme Sequence Report: Use this option if this is your first time taking the assessment or if you are unable to log into your CliftonStrengths account.

  1. Visit the GallupStrengths Center

  2. Copy and paste the access code WH67XK68ZP76CC84 into the available field, and then click Continue.

  3. Create a Gallup Strengths Center account. Follow the onscreen instructions for this step, including selecting your language preference. It is highly recommended that you take the assessment in your native language whenever possible.

  4. Complete the CliftonStrengths assessment. Please give yourself 30 minutes of uninterrupted time to complete it.

  5. Access your Theme Sequence Report. This is the list of all 34 strengths themes in order from your highest to your least. Please print this document and bring it with you to the workshop.

Option B - Theme Sequence Report - Beyond the Top 5: Use this option if you have previously taken the Strengths Assessment and can still access your account on the CliftonStrengths website. (Typically requires a user name, password and/or access code previously set up on the site.)

  1. Visit the GallupStrengths Center and log into your account. If you have more than one account, you must sign in with the account that contains your Top 5 strengths.

  2. On the Your CliftonStrengths Results page, click Redeem Code on the upper-right corner of the page.

  3. Copy and paste the access code QB47YB47EF76PP97 into the available field, and then click Continue.

  4. Access your Theme Sequence Report. This is the list of all 34 strengths themes in order from your highest to your least. Please print this document and bring it with you to the workshop.

Step 2 - Discover your Strengths

Complete Exercise #1 - Discover Your Strengths - For this exercise you will need your Theme Sequence Report (list of all 34) and 2 highlighters. Bring your completed copy of this exercise with you to the workshop.

Tools to support applying your strengths

I've pulled these tools from the Client Corner page of my website that I think may be of interest to you and assist you in identifying areas to focus on.

Coach Manager / Staff Excellence Program
Becoming a highly effective manager requires that you model the right behaviors, develop the right skills, communicate clearly and drive business results. This program identifies 100 key attributes across 10 focus areas that will help you become the best manager you can be.

Toleration-Free Life

Stop putting up with things that make you crazy or drain your energy. These tolerations tend to eat up your time, money, physical and mental energy. The first step to getting rid of them is to stop denying they are there. Identify them now and make a plan to eliminate them one by one.

Wheel of Life
How bumpy is your ride? Are the areas of your life balanced and moving in harmony? The Wheel of Life is an easy to use tool to assist you in identifying those areas of your life that need a little extra attention to ensure your life rolls smoothly. Disclaimer: this tool resulted in me deciding to adopt my son! 

100 Smiles Program
I believe in the power of smiling, laughing and living a life full of joy. The 100 Smiles Program asks you to take the time to identify the things in your life that make you smile, then it challenges you to make those items the focus of your life. Are you ready to take on the challenge?

Additional Resources: 

I am a strengths-based coach and a lot of the work I do with my clients was informed by a series of books put out by Gallup, Inc. Some of my favorites are listed below.