Tim Rath makes the point in Strengths Finder 2.0 that excellence comes from finding what you are good at, and focusing on those points. Modern schools and society trains us to eliminate weakness, but by doing so we sacrifice greatness for the sake of mediocrity.
The actual story is just a few pages. The rest of the book is describing personality profiles. After taking a test online, you are given a result set that will lead you to the professions and passions you are best suited for.
I am no great surfer, but I absolutely love it! Just being on the water takes away my stress and leaves me with a feeling of self and peace. It has value. I excel at inspiring people and bringing people together to create something amazing, but I have little interest in medicine. Should I sacrifice my excellence on the alter of “well-roundedness”? Definitely not.
When I read this book i was reminded of a interview with Lance Armstrong after trying rock climbing. He liked it but said he wouldn’t peruse it because he would never use those muscles riding a bike. What would racing be like if Lance Armstrong tried to be good at all sports? Would he have defeated cancer if he tried to be good at everything?
We are built to be good at many things, and great at only a few. Strengths Finder honors our selves and determine to be great!