Management gurus, Buckingham and Clifton, in their book “Now Discover Your Strengths,” also propose this theory and it’s basis of their StrengthsFinder ™ Profile assessment.

Taking StrengthsFinder ™ Profile is one way to discover your innate talents. How else can you?

CORE STRENGTHS

These “signature strengths,” as Seligman calls them, and “innate talents,” as Buckingham and Clifton call them, are with us from birth, show up early in childhood (to observing eye), and continue with us throughout our life. They may be repressed, ignored, neglected, or even devalued, in this world where press has been to be “well-rounded,” but they will always be there, popping up at happy moments, beckoning to be acknowledged, calling our name.

When we’re asked to do something we’ve never done before, and take to it like a duck to water, or when we do something so well we think everyone else can, they just aren’t, or when someone watches us do something and says not, “How did she learn to do that?” but rather, “Where did that come from?” we’re tapping into an innate strength. The way we feel when we watch Tiger Woods play golf, but these aren’t physical traits.

INNATE STRENGTHS OPERATIONALIZED

So what does this look like in real life?

No strength leads to any particular occupation, nor does any occupation necessarily require any certain strength, but I think I met a future manager, therapist, or HR professional this afternoon, if he stays with his strengths.

But, first let me elaborate on that statement. You don’t have to have Empathy to be a nurse, and all nurses don’t have Empathy. You can use Focus to be director of a non-profit, as a client of mine does, or to be an engineer, as someone surely is. Your strengths can be applied quite successfully to a number of different occupations. So this gifted little boy could end up being happy doing any number of things.

Now back to this little boy I encountered today. I was keeping my 2-year-old grandson, James, for afternoon. We wandered outside on this beautiful, sunny day and boys playing down street caught his attention. Allen, 18, and Kevin, 13, were shooting baskets. Around them was Alex, 8 years old, playing with his new mini-skateboard.

James tried to grab skateboard, and yelled “ball” and they were good to him, tossing him ball once or twice, and letting him have skateboard for a few moments. Nobody was talking; they were all just playing. Alex was quietest, just doing his thing over to side with his mini-skateboard.

Anyway, it happens, and even if you thought it would be fun, when faced with task, it can be daunting. You are about to become conductor of a large orchestra. Here are some ideas from my years as an event planner.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Find out your budget. If they didn't think about that - money, you know - you'll have to jump ahead and make your plan so you can provide a realistic request for money.

With or without a large budget, you can do a great event. More on this later.

If there's a history, get your predecessor's file.

THE NETWORK

If you're in a loop, in other words if you get out, go to parties, trade shows, luncheons, anniversary banquets, and charity balls, you have enough information. It's just a matter of connecting names, and your gut instincts will tell you where yentas are that can provide this.

Failing that, book your event in a reputable hotel and get with their Catering Coordinator. She'll have a full rolodex of great leads for you!

Other sources for information are any good PR firm, or 'designer' florist or stationer in your town. These people are often event-planners in disguise.

THE ELEMENTS

These are basic elements to an event:

·Food ·Liquor ·Master of ceremonies ·Speaker ·Entertainment ·Program ·Photography ·Invitations ·Decorations ·Door prizes And you may need seating chart and table markers, and in some cases insurance and a Health Dept. permit.

PRELIMS

In meantime, get out and look around. Do a quick Internet search and check out websites like: http://www.specialevents. com and http://www.event-solutions.com.

EXPERIENCE? VOLUNTEER

Churches and non-profits offer a plethora of opportunities for practice. That's how I got started - working with pros. They weren't being paid, but if you're putting on a Charity Ball for 1,000 people that brings in $100,000, you're a PRO.

I went and hung out. Got on a committee, then headed a committee and worked my way up. The Mavens were grateful for help, and, like anyone else with serious responsibility, they parceled out projects to me as my abilities warranted. A true apprenticeship.

Keep your eyes and ears open, and you'll learn political side of it, which is tricky. You'll also learn things you really need to know, like for heaven's sake don't ever be one who manages seating chart night of event. It's hideous! Assign someone who's firm but pleasant, or just naïve enough to agree.

TACT

Of course everything you do, you do with tact, and you've worked to develop your emotional intelligence competencies, which is good, because you're going to need them.