From the desk of Dr. Jean Haldane:
 “The
desk is the last place you will find me…” says
Jean, as she collects her thoughts about continuing the work
of “Bernard’s Genius” …
(i.e. the late Dr. Bernard Haldane, her husband).
The work to which she attributes “Bernard’s Genius”
centers on the Dependable Strengths Articulation Process (DSA),
a unique research-based process proven to increase self-esteem,
motivation, and empowerment for people of all ages to be their
best selves. Jean joined Bernard many years later and they
joined forces to spread DSA to individuals, groups and organizations
worldwide.
“I would say finding the way to uncover core skills
in a person. Bernard talked about `the talent of a person’,
a descriptor for these core abilities. Where are they? They
are embedded in a person’s life experience. How are
they identified? By examining specific kinds of experience
– picking up on Bernard’s unique slant viz experience
of doing something well, enjoying doing it, feeling proud
of it. This ‘mantra’ became the heart of the process
of uncovering the talent of a man or woman. This is no surprise
for counselors – especially career counselors –
they’ve heard it before! However, when we remember these
words are describing events in 1944-45, 46, with roots much
earlier, you then can believe that they are part of a social
invention on Bernard’s part.”
Jean went on to elaborate that the search for the DS process
went back to Bernard’s childhood. As a teenager he showed
great interest in people and their jobs, particularly why
they liked or disliked their jobs. He began asking them questions
… and this led to more questions. This interest followed
him in early adulthood.
Dr. Haldane came to the US in 1930 … and picked up
more questions. His work came to the attention of the business
sector. During the early 1940s, Bernard was getting to be
known as someone who asked the right questions about work,
individuals and living. “Dependable Strengths”,
though not called that then, really began when officers returning
from World War 11 needed help with getting jobs. Bernard asked
the question…. ‘how to uncover what they have
to offer?’
“Finding the way to uncover core skills in a person
is the nub of Bernard’s genius,” said Jean.
“It seems so simple , so natural to use these strengths,
so easy to overlook them. As people tell the story of what
‘I’ did well and enjoyed, they see and hear what
they must have done to make these experiences happen. Bernard
did not tell people what their strengths were. His process
led people to name them for themselves – with help from
counselors and peers.”
This became the mantra of DS interviews for experiences of
work that people did well and were proud of. During the 1940s,
Jean Haldane reports that her husband, Bernard interviewed
an astonishing 4000 people and helped them get jobs. When
the Harvard Review requested an article, ‘job counseling’
had arrived.
The Dependable Strengths process helps each person see he/she
has a pattern of capabilities. When Bernard pointed out the
value of doing this process he said, “Each person has
a pattern of capability, made visible by this process”.
He would listen intently to someone unfold these experiences.
He was meticulous in getting at ‘What did you do?’
‘And then what did you do?’ ' What did you enjoy
most?’ Dependable Strengths became the term used by
Bernard …``getting to know the strengths that are dependably
yours”.
Jean Haldane continued on by mentioning that Bernard Haldane
identified his own Dependable Strengths as “listen hard,
condense ideas, practical concern for outcomes. These helped
me envision the elements of the Dependable Strengths Articulation
Process” She adds, “Bernard also saw the impact
on the workplace, family life, and the well-being of men,
women and children. And he trained hundreds and hundreds of
professionals to include and use his process with others."
From the 1950s onward, Dr. Haldane and his Dependable Strengths
Articulation Process continued to gain momentum and recognition
as a process that really worked. This recognition and deep
conviction continue today. Those who are trained to facilitate
the DSAP or who get to use it in their work or daily life
most definitely feel empowered, encouraged, strengthened.
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