Relator: That Loving Feeling

Those with Relator talents cultivate and thrive in close-knit work groups that care for each other like a family.

I recently celebrated my 20th anniversary at work.  Prior to working at Universal Orlando, I spent 11 years with an Orlando based tour operator.  Assuming I work for another 20 years or so, statistics say that over the span of a 50 year work-life, we will all spend 35% of our waking hours at work.   

For as long as I can remember, I have considered work more as a place to go versus a chore to do.  I have been fortunate to have grown professionally in cultures that allowed me to apply my innate talents and lean into activities and tasks which I actually enjoy and that provide me fulfillment.  As the saying goes, do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life.

In addition to being able to identify and live in your strengths zone in your job, another very important contributor to a happy work life is developing authentic relationships.  I am a big believer in cultivating and contributing to work environments where we can all be our authentic selves.  My work home is informal, unconventional, fun and filled with laughter.  At work, we are a team and a family that cares for each other, trusts each other and helps each other.

If you were to use one StrengthsFinder talent to brand my team at work, that talent would be Relator.

RELATOR is a StrengthsFinder talent theme that appears in 28% of all top 5 lists and ranks as #3 in overall frequency.  Relator appears in over 30% of the top 5 lists of the 15 management and support staff that report into me.

People with the Relator talent thrive in work environments where friendships are encouraged.  They enjoy working towards a shared goal with a team of coworkers they trust, enjoy and know on a personal level.  They like to learn as much as they can about the people they meet and are generally trusting, caring and responsible.  The Relator talent is also valued in building authentic relationships with external clients as this talent leads to establishing trust, respect and a deep understanding of mutual values.

If Relator resonates with you or you are working with someone with this talent, here are some tips on how to keep it in the strengths zone;

*  People with the Relator talent theme want to know people on a deeper level and prefer the undivided attention of 1:1 meetings over group sessions.  They like to build connection and trust through sharing and getting to know the goals and values of others.

* Through the lens of Relator, individuals with this talent can spot the potential for relationships between others at work and can become a go-between to bring seemingly disparate people together for powerful collaboration.  In management, this talent allows leaders to know their direct reports on a personal level, understanding what drives them and what they need to be their very best.

* Let the caring show.  If you have the Relator talent, show others you care by spotting them at their best and sharing your observations.  Participate as a mentor or volunteer to assist with on-boarding new hires in your work area.  If you work with a person with significant Relator talents, show them you care and get to know their story over coffee, lunch or in a private meeting. 

To learn more about Relator, check out the short video link below.

Stay in your strengths zone!

Dan is currently serving 20 years to life as the Sr. Director of Destination Experiences at Universal Orlando Resort.  He prefers white-water rapids over data lakes and lists Ideation, Futuristic and Positivity amongst his signature talents.    Find him on Twitter @dpddonovan