Find Your Highest Point of Contribution

I used to spend hours every month diving into our QuickBooks account to manage the company bookkeeping process: submitting expenses, sending invoices, paying vendors, checking statements, and more.
 
Ugh. It was like a weight on my shoulders; something I dreaded having to tackle. If it were not a necessary part of running the business, I would have avoided it completely.
 
And then, one day, it hit me: I hate doing this. But I bet Noel, Thrive’s Operations Manager, might actually enjoy it. After all, she is a wizard when it comes to detail and consistency, and she relishes bringing order to any process. Why not see what she thinks?
 
Sure enough, when I asked if she’d be interested, she jumped at the chance.

We Are Not All Alike 

Noel, is an Enneagram Type One. She has an incredible eye for detail, a natural drive for accuracy, and a gift for creating structure out of chaos.

What felt like a dreaded chore to me is exactly where she shines. In her hands, bookkeeping isn’t just about tracking numbers; it’s about ensuring things run smoothly and efficiently.

Watching Noel in action is a reminder that when each person leans into their strengths, everyone benefits. The work gets done better, faster, and with more joy.

Plus, by handing this role off to Noel, I am now freed up to focus where I shine— coaching leaders and facilitating programs. I have my greatest impact when I’m working with clients and doing the things I love and for which I am likewise best suited. 

You Were Hired for a Reason

Some people refer to figuring out where best to spend their time as finding their top priority. I prefer to think of it as identifying our highest point of contribution. Here, we are not just being productive — we are creating the greatest impact in the areas where we bring the most value.
 
In his book, The One Thing, Gary Keller sums it up like this: “If you could really only choose one thing to work on this year, month, day, what would it be? What is the one thing you could do that would have the greatest positive impact on your work (or life)?”
 
When we lean into our strengths and focus our energy on what we do best, we move the organization forward in ways no one else can. On the flip side, when we are bogged down by tasks that don’t align with our unique skills or passions, not only does our energy drain, but the company misses out on the full potential of what we might otherwise offer.
 
Note that this is not about avoiding hard work — it’s about doing the right work.Finding your highest point of contribution isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for meaningful growth, both personally and organizationally. When each person plays to their strengths, the entire team rises. 

Where Do You Shine?

Finding your highest point of contribution is about connecting what you do best with what the organization needs most. When you get that alignment right, you not only maximize your impact, work feels more meaningful and fulfilling.

Some suggestions:

Reflect on Past Successes. Think about moments in your career when you felt most effective and energized. What tasks or projects made you lose track of time or left you feeling proud and accomplished?
 
Map Your Strengths to Organizational Needs. Start by listing your key strengths and comparing them to the organization’s goals or current challenges. Where do your abilities align with the company’s priorities? The sweet spot lies in the overlap between what you’re great at and what the organization needs most.
 
Be on the Lookout for High-Impact Opportunities. Look for projects or initiatives that have the potential to drive meaningful results. Ask yourself: Where could my skills create the most value? High-impact work often shapes outcomes, influences decisions, or sets the direction for future growth.
 
Pay Attention to What Draws You In. Notice the challenges or opportunities that naturally catch your interest. The areas that spark your curiosity or make you want to raise your hand often reveal where you’re most likely to excel and make a difference.
 
Engage in Conversations. Connect with your manager or other senior leaders to understand where the organization is headed and where they see the biggest opportunities for your contribution. These conversations can uncover places where your strengths align with what the company needs most.
 
Your highest point of contribution isn’t always your most obvious or most visible skill. Sometimes, it’s the quiet strengths you bring that create the greatest ripple effect.
 
Let curiosity guide you, and don’t hesitate to ask others. We often don’t see our own magic until someone holds up a mirror.