Why developing Advantages beats working on weaknesses

As the marketplace becomes more crowded, Advantages become more valuable than strengths.

As the world becomes more distracted, branding becomes more important than psychology

Advantages, not strengths.

Branding, not psychology.

We do our best to differentiate the Fascination Advantage® assessment from other profiling tools out there. And it works!

We can say with confidence that our system is unlike any other on the market.

But sometimes, when speaking to the validity of our tools—as applied to the field of coaching, for example—there is strength in numbers…

A recent study featured in Consulting Psychology Journal measured the effectiveness of a strength-based coaching methodology. Study participants were all senior managers and leaders in the Australian branch of a multinational non-profit organization.

Results were measured using the MLQ questionnaire. This 49-item questionnaire measures leadership attributes, as defined by the Full Range Leadership Model, and 3 distinct leadership outcomes (view article for more details).

The result: “adherence to the strengths based component of the leadership coaching played a significant role in increasing the transformational leadership scores of participants.”

Translation: Advantage-based development produces more transformative leaders.

But why?

Alex Linley, author of Average to A+, focuses on the phsysiological effects of a strengths-based approach. He notes that exercising a strength feels authentic and energizing, whereas working on a weakness feels draining.

Think: Wellsprings vs. Quicksand (How The World Sees You, p. 48). 

So we’ve established that Advantage-based coaching produces transformational leaders because, put simply, it is way more enjoyable to become more of who you already are than to try to be someone you are not.

Here’s what this means for you:

  • If you are a leadership or development coach, adding the Fascination Advantage assessment to your toolbox will likely result in improved outcomes for your clients. 
  • If you are a HR manager or otherwise responsible for the development of a team, using the Fascination Advantage assessment with your team members will likely result in a larger pool of leadership candidates.
  • If you are a leader or desire to move into a leadership role yourself, applying your Fascination Advantage assessment results will likely result in personal growth and professional development.

Help us create happier, more authentic, more transformative leaders. Start using the Fascination Advantage system with your clients or team members today.

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>> Sign up for our 2-day, intensive workshop to become a Fascinate Certified Advisor!

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Article by: Kara Werner, Business Development Manager for How To Fascinate

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About the author

Sally Hogshead

Sally skyrocketed to the top of the advertising world in her early 20s, fascinating millions of consumers for clients such as MINI Cooper and Coca-Cola. Since then, she’s published two New York Times bestsellers on the science of fascination, and is one of only 172 living members in the Speaker Hall of Fame. Over a million professionals have taken the Fascination Advantage® personality test to discover how others perceive their communication.

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