leadership dot #1970: strengths

I read with interest an article about feral cats that are unadoptable, but become valuable as they help companies keep their mice away.

In Philadelphia, the animal shelter works with businesses to place cats that bite, scratch or are generally unsocial into barns, breweries, stables and factories. The cats are well cared for and perform a valuable service doing what they instinctively do. Everyone is happy!

This is an ingenious idea. It acknowledges the reality that the cats are not going to be adopted, but prevents them from being killed. The companies receive a necessary service for a low cost and it reduces expenses at the shelter instead of caring for the cats indefinitely.

The shelters capitalized on a disadvantage by taking advantage of the strength that accompanied it, thus rude cats + natural hunters = mousers in warehouses. How can you do the same? I have heard of people who have lost their sense of smell being paid large sums to do jobs that would repulse the olfactory-able. Those confined to a wheelchair could be placed in a job that requires long periods of sitting. Those who are blind could make better taste-testers as they are not influenced by packaging or appearance.

Strengths theory would say that you should focus on your strengths instead of your weaknesses. Take a lesson from the working cat program and redefine what strengths you truly have.

Source: Ornery cats get 2^nd chance with jobs chasing mice by Kristen DeGroot for The Associated Press in the Telegraph Herald, October 22, 2017, p. 11A