CATCH ME AT MY BEST!    

AtMyBest

At My Best is an online tool designed to capture the positive feedback we need from others to perform at our best.

Strengths-based

The strengths-based orientation for personal development is founded on the idea that real excellence is a function of uniqueness¹. People excel as they come to understand their unique patterns of strengths and talents and learn how to match these strengths and talents to the situations in which they work and live.

This of course challenges the universal assumption that an organisation's or person's area of weakness represents the greatest area of opportunity! Most personal development exercises are based on this "deficit model" of personal development².

Purpose

The purpose of At My Best is to gather the perceptions of significant others who have a unique and valuable insight into how we add value and make a contribution. Visit www.appreciativeinquiry.net.au for information on how to participate.

The idea is to receive feedback regarding ourselves at our best.

The At My Best survey is a tool that gives us real data about ourselves that we can use for personal development in a variety of contexts. In many cultures there is a tendency to "cut down the tall poppies” and this process can actually lead to a distortion of our self image. At My Best gives us a clearer picture of who we really are!

Please note that there is no question here of ignoring weaknesses. On the one hand, as we operate from a stronger self-image, we are often more able to deal with our limitations. Without a strong self-image, these may be overwhelming. On the other hand, we should not look at all limitations as 'weaknesses' and expect everyone to become be an 'all-rounder'. The best teams are those where each member develops their strengths.

Outcomes

At My Best provides participants with a structured opportunity to receive new evidence about themselves. After completing the exercise, participants should be able to:

• Identify and articulate their own personal strengths, and their capability to add value to the relevant environment or work situation.
• Understand more about the different kinds of (work) situations that bring out the best in different people.
• Use the experience and information gained for personal development to the benefit of the individual and/or the organisation.

Identifying the respondents (significant people in one's life) and getting them to provide "me at my best” stories not only helps our understanding of personal strengths, but also lead to an appreciation of how others experience us when we are using our ‘strengths’ in a constructive manner.

Incidentally, the process often leads to finding the right people with whom we can achieve results at the level of performance we are aiming for.

Analysis of the collection of "me at my best" stories involves the search for commonalities and themes as to how we add value and make a contribution – especially in successful and high-performance interactions.

Finally, participants build a composite portrait of who they are at their best.

This exercise will provide both appreciation and encouragement. It is an absolute delight to discover how you are appreciated!

__________________

¹ Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton (2001)
² Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman, 2004; Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, 1991

Return to Map - Top of Page