Appendix C Discovering your Unique Ability and Ikigai Why this exercise? Duration: 15 minutes Guided self-discovery exercise Before fully embodying the 7Cs, it is essential to understand who you truly are. Your Unique Ability (UA) – the combination of natural talents that brings you joy and energy – is the inner compass that guides your leadership. In Japanese culture, this is known as Ikigai: the intersection of what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. This exercise helps you discover your UA/ Ikigai in just 15 minutes.
Answer the following questions:
EXAMPLE: MARIE, HR DIRECTOR
MY UNIQUE ABILITY IS:
Marie’s Unique Ability: “Creating authentic connections between people”
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1. What comes naturally to you and seems difficult for others?
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• Superior: She instantly sees who should collaborate together • Energising: After a day of team facilitation, she feels energised • Enjoyable: She loves observing human dynamics and building bridges • Ongoing: She constantly reads about psychology and collective intelligence
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2. Which activities give you energy rather than drain it?
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3. What do others say you do exceptionally well?
PART 1: Identify Your Unique Ability (5 min)
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Your Unique Ability has four defining qualities: (1) it is superior – you do it better than most people, (2) it is energising – it gives you energy rather than draining it, (3) it is enjoyable – you genuinely love doing it, (4) it is ongoing – you constantly want to improve at it.
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4. When are you in a state of flow (your optimal performance zone)?
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9 THE 7C LEADERSHIP COMPASS FOR MORAL AMBITION 2025 JONATHAN NORMAND. CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE
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