Chapter 1: The "Dark Dot" Story and Its Lesson

Have you ever encountered the story of the "dark dot"?

On the first day of class, a professor presented her students with a single sheet of paper. Each page was entirely blank except for a small black dot in the upper left corner. There were no titles or questions—just the dot on a stark white background.

The professor then instructed her students to describe what they saw on a separate piece of paper. Their descriptions would be graded. Many students appeared puzzled and some requested clarification, but the professor remained silent.

As the initial confusion faded, the students began to write. After about thirty minutes, she collected their papers. Standing in front of the class, she read their responses aloud. Each student elaborated on the black dot, discussing its size, position, and potential meanings.

After pausing, the professor informed the class that she would not be grading their papers. The entire exercise served a significant purpose—a life lesson.

Everyone focused on the dark dot, yet no one mentioned the vast white space that surrounded it. They were captivated by the small blemish and overlooked the rest of the page.

This behavior mirrors our own tendencies. We frequently concentrate on negatives—the dark spots—while neglecting the positives represented by the white spaces. We often dwell on what’s lacking or what could be improved, overlooking the good things that are present in our lives. This oversight can lead us to take these positive aspects for granted.

In my years of coaching, I’ve observed how easily people fixate on their weaknesses while disregarding their strengths. Research in psychology reveals that when we embrace and cultivate our strengths, we experience increased self-confidence, self-awareness, and motivation¹, which positively impacts various facets of our lives, including our ability to achieve goals². Therefore, it is crucial that we acknowledge and nurture our strengths rather than ignore them.

Chapter 2: Understanding Strengths and Their Impact

Sometimes, identifying our strengths can be challenging. Marcus Buckingham, in his acclaimed book Go Put Your Strengths to Work, outlines one reason: we often equate strengths solely with skills we excel at, while weaknesses are seen as areas where we lack ability.

Buckingham proposes a different viewpoint: strengths should be perceived as sources of energy. This perspective shift allows us to view strengths as activities that invigorate and inspire us, even if we don’t consider ourselves particularly skilled at them. For example, if painting brings you joy, it can be a strength worth pursuing, regardless of your level of expertise.

I believe that both ideas—strengths as skills and as sources of joy—can coexist. Proficiency in an area can energize us, and engaging in energizing activities can lead to skill development.

The first video explores how dark gifts can add risk to rewards in the context of "Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft." It discusses the complexities of embracing both light and dark aspects of our experiences.

Chapter 3: Tools for Discovering Strengths

Finding one’s strengths is a vital component of my executive coaching program, and I often incorporate this exploration into my corporate workshops. To assist you in this journey, I’m sharing an exercise I use with my clients called the Strengths Finder. This tool, part of my Rising Codes suite, is founded on principles from positive psychology. You can download the exercise and its instructions here => Gift — The Strengths Finder.

To conclude, let us reflect on the profound words of philosopher Mark Nepo:

"We are stronger, gentler, more resilient, and more beautiful than any of us imagine."

I hope you found this newsletter insightful. I would love to hear about the strengths you discover through this exercise.

To your success,

Lison

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