By Dewitt Dees

There are certain interests and activities that ignite something deep within us – hobbies or creative pursuits that bring us joy and fulfillment. Yet, when life gets overwhelmingly busy, these interests often take a backseat, pushed aside by daily responsibilities and pressing demands. It’s easy to fall into the cycle of simply managing the day-to-day, leaving little room for the things that truly energize and inspire us.

However, when we intentionally carve out time for these interests, we rediscover a renewed sense of purpose. They fuel our creativity, spark new ideas, and give us the momentum to envision an inspired future – one where we feel more aligned, engaged, and motivated in both our personal and professional lives.

At Iridium Leadership, we use The Birkman Method® as our assessment tool of choice – a tool we’ve relied on for almost 20 years to help our clients gain deeper self-awareness. One of the key insights the Birkman provides is understanding your Interests. It’s important to note that Interests aren’t a measure of skills or abilities, which is reassuring for many, including myself.

For instance, my lowest scores in the Scientific and Numerical categories were not a surprise to me. I realized years ago that my engineering degree was not a good “fit” for me, and I often felt drained working with numbers – perhaps a story for another time. But, as I explored my Birkman results further, I uncovered my top four interests, which offer a clear understanding of what fuels or drains my energy.

My highest scores in the Artistic and Musical categories take these Interests to what I would consider passions. These are the two areas of my life that call for attention, and when left unattended, I begin to lose focus and the clarity necessary for me to do my best thinking.

I’ve had clients who have scored similarily high in the Musical category who immediately say, “I’ve missed my calling! I should have been a rock star!” Well, not exactly. It’s important to keep in mind that our Birkman scores highlight our interests, not our abilities, and there are many nuances within these categories. For example, I may never pick up an instrument, but I’m deeply connected to music – from listening and attending concerts to staying updated on the latest trends in the industry.

In fact, a high musical score can also indicate a sensitivity to sound and a strong ability to read a room. This awareness extends beyond music itself and has served me well in the world of business development and sales. For example, being attuned to subtle shifts in tone, body language, and energy levels can at times help me adapt quickly in conversations and connect with others.

So, what do we encourage clients to do with this knowledge? First, be curious! What have you or those close to you observed in your actions and performance that either confirms or disproves your scores?  How can you incorporate your strongest interests into your daily routine? Are you one of the lucky ones where your interest line up well with your current role?

Through our work with clients at all levels, we have learned that a strong interest, if neglected, will inevitably call out for attention. When we nurture these interests, we reap all the benefits. But if we ignore them, we risk losing some of our creative energy – the kind that’s vital for reimagining how we compete and thrive in this ever-changing world.

Pay attention to the ebbs and flows of your energy and notice which activities either help or hinder that flow. Unlike me, your passion might be number crunching. Thankfully, we all have unique talents, skills, and abilities to share. The key is to recognize and nurture what truly energizes you and you will likely confirm what you actually knew all along.

To learn more about The Birkman Method® and our Systems Theory approach, visit our website: Iridium Leadership Methodology.