Understanding and Investing in Your Belief Talent

On this Theme Thursday Season 4 webcast, Jim Collison, Gallup's Director of Talent Sourcing, and Maika Leibbrandt, Senior Workplace Consultant, talk about Belief.

Belief is a values-driven Theme. People with high Belief tend to have unchanging core values that help them prioritize, motivate them and take them where they want to go. There is an element of practicality to Belief. It may be rooted in something that feels very emotional and invisible, but it is about translating your internal values into something external. A by-product of Belief is that you are informing others with your passion and beliefs over everything you do.

When Belief is at its best it is able to translate values and beliefs into execution at work. It is about an alignment with passion and purpose. You are not just doing something for the sake of doing it. You are doing something that has a deep meaning for you, and has the opportunity to extend your value into your community. It is that idea that you are making more of what you believe, rather than holding it all in. Belief at its best is both transparent and consistent. Belief can rally others around your cause. It is about not just having values, but rolling up your sleeves and taking action on them. It is knowing to your core what is right and what is wrong.

If you have Belief, identify your values and practice communicating them clearly. Raise your hand for projects that further your mission. It can take some vulnerability and space to align yourself with these values. Speak up when you have a moment of clarity on what the right next step is. Allow yourself to be heard.

Be brave with the ability to choose your own adventure. Ask about the intended outcome and audience for projects and ideas you are working through. Whenever it is possible, ask for involvement in ideas you find important. Clarify what your partners find important. That sort of authenticity and collaboration will set you up to understand what the playing field is. Understand what the non-negotiables are on a project, but also ask why they are that way.

Worry less about fitting in with fads and trends. There is a timelessness about you that will translate really well, regardless of what is cool. Worry less about upsetting others, or rather failing to impress others. Belief is about moving forward with your own values, and this does not require an audience.

If you are working with someone with Belief, you can expect strong opinions where their core values are involved. Look to them for their tireless pursuit when the chips are down. Expect persistence on projects that are important to them. Expect long term commitment to the values that they hold dear.

For recognition, notice what they find important, and then talk about the influence this has had on others. Recognize times where they had to make tough decisions. Study what it took for them to make that decision, and what a difference it made with other people. Recognition should come not necessarily from speech, but from finding something that brings them back to the moment they stood on their values.

If you are developing someone with high Belief give them time and space to have the conversation to talk through their values. Ask them what they know to be unchangingly true. Question what they want to be known for. Help them be selective by working on projects that further their values. What do they want their legacy to be? To partner with someone start conversations that allow them to connect with you on a personal level. Invite them to be the conscience of the partnership.

If Belief is one of your Dominant Themes, invest in it this week through the following challenge items:

• Sort through and name your top five non-negotiable values.
• Write down in your own words what you believe you are paid to do.
• Listen to a podcast that offers insight on a topic your care a lot about.

If Belief is not one of your Dominant Themes, invest in it this week through the following challenge items:

• Sort through and name your top five non-negotiable values.
• Look at your dominant themes and name one or two of them that help you motivate and inspire others.
• Identify three aspects of your life that bring you happiness and well-being.