when i interview people for a job, i don’t ask the status quo questions like: “name 3 strengths and 3 weaknesses.” i could, but the truth is, the answers are usually lies (if they haven’t learned how to spin their weaknesses as a strength, it’s a red flag any way). instead, i ask interviewees a much more telling question. what gives you energy?   meaning, when you lose yourself in the work, what is it that you are doing? what types of assignments could i give you that would naturally make you lose time, get you to want to stay late, excite you, and stay on your mind even when you leave the office? and similarly i want to know, what takes away energy? what are the tasks that-while you may be capable of performing them-take you longer to do, usually get put off until the last minute, consume you with dread until they are over?

these questions really let you know what truly (de)motivates someone and thus where they are more likely to (not) thrive in a job. at the end of the day, you want to align people’s natural gifts with the tasks at hand-anything else is a subpar solution. what better way to identify places for potentially alignment than to understand the types of work that put people in or take people out of their flow?

the idea is the same for you when you are on the opposite side of the table.  as you look for a job/career or ways to promote yourself in the marketplace,  chase those things that energize you and stay away from those that don’t (even if you’re good at them).  have you taken the time to find out what gives you energy?

on a personal note: i was inspired to write this blog post after spending the day with the bright young minds of bippitus at the marcus graham project. hanging with those folks definitely gave me energy. i could have hung out with them for days and, honestly, i didn’t want our time together to end (i’m not so sure would say the same, you know i can be long winded some times…ha). i haven’t felt that way for a while and so i immediately noticed the increased energy i had in my time with them. what energizes me? clearly, the opportunity to hang and pour into young people who are hungry to succeed and full of potential. if you know of any opportunities, let me know.