American readers are apparently looking to their strengths to pull them through tough times.
The Gallup Organization, which ignited a national discussion on strengths nearly a decade ago when it released the results of a landmark 30-year study, has two titles on the January 16 Wall Street Journal business bestseller list. STRENGTHS BASED LEADERSHIP by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie hit the list at #4 (is also #12 on the general non-fiction list), just days after its official publication date. It joins Rath’s other bestseller, STRENGTHSFINDER 2.0, which holds the #3 spot (#10 on the general non-fiction list).

For the new book, Gallup scientists surveyed a million work teams, conducted more than 50,000 in-depth interviews with leaders, and interviewed 20,000 followers around the world to ask exactly why they followed the most important leader in their life. What they found are three keys to being a more effective leader: knowing your strengths, getting the right talents on your team, and meeting the four basic needs of those who look to you for leadership.

Sounds like a manual for leaders in tough economic times.