S2 Ep 34: Quit Fixing What You Suck At: Aim Your Strengths Instead with Juan Alvarado

In this episode, Dawn sits down with Juan Alvarado, Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths® Coach. They discuss his journey into strengths coaching, the four domains (a.k.a. quadrants) of talent, how to apply strengths at work, and why intentional leadership beats accidental management every time.  Most teams operate on autopilot. Juan argues for the opposite: intentional leadership that starts with knowing what you naturally do best and designing work around it. 

What We Cover

• Juan’s path to coaching: from “good at people” to certified strengths pro—and what surprised him along the way.
• Strengths 101: understanding the four domains—Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building, Strategic Thinking—and how they show up on real teams.
• Application at work: turning talent into performance with role design, partnerships, and strengths-based delegation.
• Intentionality in leadership: moving from “hope and hustle” to planned practice—weekly rhythms, 1:1s, and decision filters grounded in strengths.
• Pitfalls & myths: why Top 5 ≠ personality cages, and how to avoid weaponizing strengths.
• Culture impact: building a shared language so coaching and feedback get easier (and less awkward).

Key Takeaways

1. Strengths ≠ skills. Strengths are your best starting points; you still need skill, practice, and feedback.
2. Build partnerships on purpose. Pair high Strategic Thinking with Executing to move plans into motion.
3. Coach the how, not just the what. Align goals with the way people naturally create value.
4. Make it a rhythm, not a rally. Weekly 1:1s with two questions:
   • Where did your strengths show up this week?
   • Where could you aim them next week?
5. Don’t weaponize strengths. “That’s just my [Theme]” is a red flag; maturity means flexing for impact.

Try-It-This-Week (Manager Challenge)

• Map your role: List your Top 5. For each, write one sentence: “I create value when I…”
• Design one partnership: Pick a priority and pair yourself with someone whose domain complements yours.
• Upgrade one 1:1: Use the two questions above and commit to a 15-minute cadence for the next four weeks.

Listener Resources

• StrengthsFinder 2.0 — Tom Rath
• Strengths Based Leadership — Tom Rath & Barry Conchie
• First, Break All the Rules — Marcus Buckingham & Curt Coffman
• Now, Discover Your Strengths — Marcus Buckingham & Donald O. Clifton

Quote from Juan

“Strengths don’t self-activate—leaders do. Your talent is potential; intentionality is what turns it into performance.”

Connect with Juan Alvarado

• Website: weraizethebar.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rtb-juan/
• Email: juan@weraizethebar.com

Call to Action

If this episode hit home, share your Top 5 in the comments and tell us one way you’ll aim for a strength this week. 👉 Tag @Manage With Hart and @Juan Alvarado.

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