Introduction to the Opposite Strengths system

Opposite Strengths centers on people's strengths — not their weaknesses

  • weaknesses do not exist in people
  • we are born with natural, unique strengths
  • our natural strengths come in pairs—three pairs in all
  • the strengths in each pair are opposites of one another
  • one strength of each pair is naturally dominant
    • the dominant one is a lead strength
    • the non-dominant one is a supporting strength
  • both strengths in a pair
    • complement each other
    • are equally valuable
    • are not in conflict

Sustained success results from the process of allowing our opposite strengths to interact naturally with one another. You can become the person you want to be by learning how to use your opposite strengths.
The Power of Opposite Strengths of today is the product of careful research and development since 1955. Jay Thomas, EdD, first conceived the theory of Opposite Strengths in the early 1960's. His unique and positive approach to understanding people through strengths was a direct outgrowth of his experience as a management psychologist. In 1982, after completing his Ph.D. in educational psychology, Tommy Thomas teamed up with his father in the continuing effort to study, validate and refine the Power of Opposite Strengths model.