A 2 min read.

Embarking on a journey of self-discovery can be a transformative experience, and for me, it all began with a chance encounter with two restaurant owners—remarkable individuals whose kindness, intelligence, values and business success resonated deeply with my own aspirations. 

As I explored the possibility of joining their company, a pivotal moment unfolded when one of the owners recommended a book that would alter my perspective and illuminate my path. "StrengthsFinder" by Tom Rath became my guide, a beacon of clarity during a period of professional uncertainty where I was questioning my next move, what skills I had to offer and questioning the impact I’d had in my current role.

If you are at a crossroads with your current career, let’s connect.

In the quest for personal development, this book unveiled my top five strengths: Harmony, Achiever, Responsibility, Deliberative, and Consistency. Each revelation offered profound insights into my character, providing a refreshing perspective that breathed new life into my career.  

Having uncovered my top strengths through "StrengthsFinder," I now invite you to join me in exploring the profound impact each one had on my life and leadership. Delving into Harmony, Achiever, Responsibility, Deliberative, and Consistency, I will unravel the layers of self-awareness and empowerment that this transformative book has brought to my professional journey.

My number one strength, Harmony, has taught me the importance of holding harmony as one of my core values. I actively seek areas of agreement and, when faced with differing opinions, I strive to find common ground. This strength has flourished during my time in the hospitality industry, where I have always enjoyed building teams with diverse backgrounds united by a shared goal.

Moving to my second strength, Achiever, proved to be a significant revelation, helping me comprehend my ambition and drive. I consistently seek validation and acceptance, both from myself and others, by accomplishing tasks every single day. The joy of making lists, even during my days off, and experiencing a dopamine rush with each crossed-off item further highlights the impact of this strength on my daily life.

Next, the strength of Responsibility came as no surprise. As an only child who started staying home alone after school at the age of 10, I quickly assumed responsibilities such as balancing the checkbook with my mom by the age of 11. This early exposure propelled me to take 100% ownership of any task before me, ensuring its completion to the best of my ability and in a timely manner, all while maintaining zero tolerance for excuses.

Delving into the Deliberative strength revealed insights into my guarded and private nature. Rooted in my shy childhood, this strength is complemented by my love for planning, allowing me to anticipate potential challenges. In meetings, I am the individual who questions the practicality of new ideas, asking, "How is this going to work?" Trusting my judgment, I find fulfillment in situations where I can coach and advise others.

Finally, the Consistency strength, one that I take immense pride in, is easily applicable in any industry, I believe, especially if you love what you do. I hold the belief that everyone deserves fair treatment and a clear set of expectations to follow. This conviction drives my passion for creating and implementing systems, which eliminate guesswork from roles, establish uniform standards, and enable teams to invest more energy and time in their interactions with each other and their guests.

I have found "StrengthsFinder" to be such a valuable tool for myself and my teams over the years for many reasons. This book not only defines each of your strengths but also provides examples of how your strengths help you show up as a leader, offers action items you can use to build on these strengths, and guides you on how to work with people with similar strengths and how to cultivate them.

"StrengthsFinder" has been a transformative guide, revealing my top strengths and fostering self-awareness. From a chance meeting with restaurant owners to its impact on my career, this tool has not only defined my strengths but also provided actionable insights for personal and team development. As I share its wisdom, "StrengthsFinder" continues to shape my journey and positively influence those around me. I highly recommend this resource for any of you who are looking to transform your leadership and the leadership of those around you.

P.S.

Whenever you are ready, here are 4 ways I can support you:

1. Tune into No Hesitations Restaurant Leadership Podcast, the show where restaurant leaders learn tools, tactics and habits from the world's greatest operators. Check out this week’s latest episode.

2. If you are a restaurant leader looking for a strategic partner to overcome burnout, reignite your passion or increase retention in your restaurant, let's connect. Email me at christinlmarvin@gmail.com or you can even text me at 719-494-6074.

(Rest assured, I won't attempt to sell you anything.)

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4. Each week, I provide hospitality leaders with valuable tools and resources to shift from surviving to thriving by embracing mental fitness. Subscribe to my newsletter below to receive these helpful tips directly in your inbox.

Another incredible company that is making a huge impact in the hospitality space is Benchmark Sixty. Jim Taylor, founder and CEO has created a 3 step process that will allow you to combat rising costs without raising prices or cutting your staff. Check out his full list of services here at Benchmark Sixty.