Deliberative is care
Committed to making the very best choices
People with high deliberative are committed to making the very best choices. They are excellent assessors and make outstanding decisions. They engage with what could go wrong to overcome obstacles before they become a danger. Deliberative may seem critical when asking a lot of questions and assessing options, but they are reducing risk and preventing problems. Where others avoid obstacles and risk, Deliberative is bold and brave enough to search for the danger and face it. It is an executing theme; it is about executing cautiously.
Mature is protective, fueled by care. The least likely theme to show up with Deliberative is Woo. Woo and Deliberative together are considered “a cautiousness that can be charming”.You are careful. You are vigilant. You are a private person. You know that the world is an unpredictable place. Everything may seem in order, but beneath the surface you sense many risks. Rather than denying these risks, you draw each one out into the open. Then each risk can be identified, assessed and ultimately reduced. Thus, you are a fairly serious person who approaches life with a certain reserve. For example, you like to plan ahead so as to anticipate what might go wrong. You select your friends cautiously and keep your own counsel when the conversation turns to personal matters.
You are careful not to give too much praise and recognition, lest it be misconstrued. If some people don’t like you because you are not as effusive as others, then so be it. For you, life is not a popularity contest. Life is something of a minefield. Others can run through it recklessly if they so choose, but you take a different approach. You identify the dangers, weigh their relative impact and then place your feet deliberately. You walk with care.
It takes a lot of courage to be the person that speaks up about possible roadblocks even when it’s not the popular thing. But, with your Deliberative you want to do things right, do them well and do them with limited risk, which is better than diving in and having to re-do things five or six times.
Theme Thursday Podcast brings thought leaders to deep dive on each StrengthsFinder theme.
The time invested is worth it - learn about Deliberative with a leader lens.
BALCONIES
When Deliberative is soaring...
Good judgement
Identifies risk
Makes solid decisions
Can plan for the unexpected
Leaders with Deliberative raise the standard of quality in their organization by ensuring actions are vetted and thoughtful. They increase productivity by limiting wasteful action; they streamline, process and caution. They are care-full. As a leader with Deliberative, you create, support and maintain systems that will limit waste and mistakes.
What are ways to expand the reach of your Deliberative as a leader? How can you polish this natural talent? Find your best system and then trust that system. I don’t say “trust your gut” to anyone with Deliberative. I say, “trust the judgement that your gut has told your brain to have.”
BASEMENTS
When Deliberative is on over-drive...
Looks like anxiety fueled by fear
Standoffish
Aloof
Cautious
Slow
Introverted
Afraid to act
A leaders with Deliberative....
Creates trust by increase productivity by limiting wasteful action; they streamline, process and caution. They are care-full. As a leader with Deliberative, you create, support and maintain systems that will limit waste and mistakes. Fine-tune your system, so it can be predictable, and then allow yourself to trust it. Get help from others so it isn't your system or process alone.
Builds compassion by helping people understand why your path will be beneficial in the long-term. Being the person that speaks up about possible roadblocks even when it’s not the popular thing can be difficult. But, with your Deliberative you want to do things right, do them well and do them with limited risk, which is better than diving in and having to re-do things five or six times. Show the team your "why" and be open to other ways of creating the same results if it creates bonding with other team members.
Expands hope by being predictable and showing the team the reasons why the steps are necessary. Create opportunities for others to gather the insights you need to make a decision so they will be more equipped for the future process.
Brings stability when people understand and trust the system. If your system is to speak with a subject matter expert when you need to make a decision, do that. Find a way to have subject matter experts at your disposal. Or, if it’s looking up data or comparing yourself to competitors, create a system where you do that. Also, get excellent at asking great questions in order to bring your Deliberative outward to other people. Come up with a line of questioning and coaching that helps people see the risks you see.
