"This is probably what school should be like: a focused hunt for a child's area of greatest potential. This is probably what work should be like: an intentional effort to find out how each employee might approach world-class performance levels. Unfortunately, neither school nor work seems up to the task. Both are so preoccupied with transferring knowledge and plugging skill gaps that developing awareness of natural talents is disregarded."
- Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham & Donald O. Clifton (PH.D.), p. 32
there's another quote in the book that i appreciated, but i'm not able to write it down at this time. (both ian and the book are away right now.) but the point (if i remember) was this: schools and companies put too much emphasis on compensating for an individual's weaknesses by providing rigorous training in these areas. the fine result is usually well-rounded, balanced mediocrity: an individual may find a way to manage (survive) a weakness, but he will never find it natural or comfortable; and an individual will have little time to excel in his strengths because all energy must be focused on "compensation".
it seems, as i ponder this further, that general education should help identify, invest, and encourage joyful discipline in an individual's natural gifts. as for his weaknesses: compensation may (and should) be found through interaction with others who possess these specific areas as natural strengths. it sounds like the community and Body - the Bride-church - of Christ to me...
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