Sherlock Holmes and John Watson
Task versus Relationship
My top 10 StrengthsFinder Themes
Responsibility (task), Communication, Maximizer, Learner (task), Belief (task) , Futuristic (task),
Relator, Arranger (task), Activator, Intellection (task).
Today I want to talk about one of my favorite TV series, Sherlock Holmes. The Sherlock Holmes that I
will be referring to is the one produced by the BBC and stars Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock Holmes)
and Martin Freeman (Dr. John Watson). In my opinion any other Sherlock is an imposter! This show is
beyond brilliant and really focuses on character development. I love how they have made Sherlock and
John equals and set it up where both carry the show! They have also given us a good understanding of the
differences between Sherlock and John and how they need each other.
When you watch the show you will learn quickly that Sherlock’s focus is on the task and one of John’s
purposes is to help Sherlock understand that people matter. Here are some classic Sherlock and John
quotes:
John Watson: There are lives at stake, Sherlock! Actual human lives— Just, just so I know, do you care
about that at all?
Sherlock Holmes: Will caring about them help save them?
Sherlock Holmes: Brilliant! YES! Four serial suicides and now a note! Oh, it's Christmas! Mrs. Hudson,
I'll be late. Put the kettle on.
Sherlock Holmes: Alone is what I have. Alone protects me.
John Watson: No. Friends protect people.
I understand that I am using an extreme example when I use this Sherlock Holmes (self-proclaimed sociopath) as an example of a task person, but I think watching this show has helped me understand myself a
little more especially as I have been learning more about my strengths. After I received my entire
StrengthsFinder theme report (all 34 themes) and met with my strength coach I am now aware that I am
generally task-focused over relationship-focused. If you look at my top 10 themes listed above you will
see that six out of ten are task-orientated. This has made me realize that at times I need a John in my life
to remind me that I am in the people business. I can get so caught up in accomplishing goals, learning
and thinking about the big picture, that I lose sight of what matters most and that is people. The
other side of the coin is that relational people need task people too, but maybe I should leave that for a
stronger relational person to blog about.
Without StrengthsFinder and receiving my entire 34 theme report I am not sure I would gain this
type of self-awareness. It is why I am now a believer in having a strength coach. Until I read my full
report and talked with my coach I was not that aware that I was approaching this world in such a task
fashion. I believe this is one of the reasons there have been people I have not been able to connect with.
What do you think happens when a strong task person tries to use task to connect with a strong relational
person? Yep, it does not go well! This new realization has really caused me to reevaluate how I
approach my spouse, kids, friends and those I work with. It has also shown me that I need John Watson
type people in my life that will keep me accountable and help me remember people before tasks.
If you have not taken the StrengthsFinder assessment yet I encourage you to take it today! Go ahead and
receive your full 34 theme report. It is worth the money! Also, consider hiring a strength coach to help
you make sense of it all. If you cannot do this yet I have a question for you that can start helping
you understand whether you are a task or relationship person. Would you rather have someone
ask you, “What are you thinking?” Or “What are you feeling?” I answered “What are you
thinking” instantly and so do most task-driven people.