One of the most meaningful rewards for corporate social responsibility practitioners and those working in related fields is seeing the people they serve stand on their own feet, making decisions that benefit not only themselves but the wider community.

At the heart of this is helping individuals develop the right mindset and equipping them with the skills to achieve on their own, take pride in their progress, and think generously toward the common good.

Atty. Dexter Diwas, during our conversation about Clifton Strengths assessment, shared the importance of knowing once talents, saying that strengths awareness is closely tied to stewardship.

He said, “I see talents as gifts entrusted to us by the Lord, and the responsibility is to develop and use them well.”

On a personal level, he explained that becoming aware of his strengths affirmed how he is wired, giving him clarity and direction. It also helped him focus on using his strengths to serve others, leading to a deeper alignment between his work, abilities, and sense of purpose.

Capable Of Giving Back

In World Vision in the Philippines, where I was formerly Head of Public Affairs, my colleagues led a program called Community Managed Savings and Credit Association or CoMSCA.

CoMSCA is a system of creating a local pool of capital provided members access to useful lump sums to meet predictable expenses, to reduce shocks to vulnerable livelihoods, facilitate household cash-flow management, and make short-term investments in income-generating activities.

For several occasions then I had the privilege of visiting one of the CoMSCA communities located in Baesco in Tondo, Manila.

Baseco was a dockyard turned into resettlement site of many families displaced by clearing operations in Metro Manila to give way for government projects. Joefe B. Santarita and Baldacchino Godfrey, in their book “Baseco Compound: The River Island of Contestation, Despair, and Hope in the Philippines,” wrote an abstract :

“The newly arrived families erected their makeshift houses on a low-lying and unstable substrate that is a combination of river silt, sand, rubble from old buildings, dredged mud, garbage, and small white mollusks. During high tide, these houses would be flooded with seawater. Recently, the site has become the home of 60,000 urban poor and a pockmark of Metro Manila.”

In 2013, World Vision launched CoMSCA in Baseco. Together with a range of earlier interventions, these efforts have supported and promoted the wellbeing of children in the community for more than three decades. The many positive impacts of these interventions in Baseco are captured in World Vision’s case study, Journeying with Children Toward a Resilient Baseco.

One anecdote that stayed with me came from CoMSCA members in Baseco. They shared how they once never imagined their lives as garbage scavengers could change, yet through the journey, they rediscovered a sense of dignity, learning to dream again for themselves and their children, and to take steps toward those dreams.

During a lighter moment, they even joked about saving up to buy a Jollibee restaurant franchise worth several million pesos. The joy in that conversation was unmistakable. It was overflowing.

Being Actually Fruitful

Atty. Dexter Diwas said that the difference between being busy and being actually fruitful is being mindful of how one spends his or her time and energy even in small ways daily. Though he admitted that “Honestly, I don’t get it right all the time. Some days feel productive, others don’t. But I have learned that a meaningful life doesn’t just happen.”

He emphasized that while it is not ideal to avoid everything outside one’s strengths, it is also unwise to build one’s life around areas that consistently drain a person. He stressed the importance of awareness, approaching weak areas more strategically by preparing, collaborating with others who are stronger in those areas, or treating them as learning opportunities rather than long-term roles.

He highlighted balance: managing weaknesses wisely while intentionally building life and impact around strengths.

Progress Toward A Greater Purpose

Atty. Dexter Diwas shared that when he was younger, he felt called to help people grow and develop their talents, though he did not yet know how to pursue that path. He became a lawyer and served as a Public Attorney, but his deeper desire resurfaced while working with clients, especially in a Drugs Court, where he saw untapped potential in people who lacked guidance and affirmation.

Recognizing this gap led him to explore better ways to support growth. He eventually discovered strengths coaching, became a certified coach, and gained clarity about his own talents through the process. This shift helped him become more intentional in both his personal and professional life.

Ultimately, he transitioned out of full-time lawyering into the learning and development space, now working in leadership development at World Vision in the Philippines, where he continues to use his legal background in a more purpose-aligned way.

“That shift didn’t happen overnight. There was a strategy behind it, but it started with being aware of my talents,” he said while adding that “It changed how I make decisions. I became more intentional in choosing consultancies, outreaches, and roles. I stopped saying yes to everything and started asking whether an opportunity truly aligns with my gifts.”

The journey can be frustrating, especially when progress is slow, but for him the impact became clearer over time. At the same time, he emphasized staying grounded, recognizing that his talents come from God and were meant to be used not just for personal success, but for a greater purpose.

Developing Strengths And Talent Awareness

In his own words, when asked about practical steps to grow in strengths and talent awareness, Atty. Dexter Diwas said:

First, pay attention to what comes naturally to you. What energizes you? What do people often affirm in you?

In my case, when I took the Clifton Strengths assessment, I realized that I am energized when I help high-performing individuals become even better. I’m also energized by work that improves people’s lives in a meaningful way. I enjoy being on stage, especially when I’m speaking about something I truly care about, not just random topics.

People often assume I’m an extrovert because I’m visible on stage or active on social media, but that’s not entirely the case. I actually enjoy quiet time and being at home. I do those public-facing activities because I know they can create impact.

Second, get feedback. Don’t be shy to ask for it. In my experience, others often see our strengths more clearly than we do.

In my case, I’m grateful to have my wife, who keeps me grounded. She points out the things I’m doing well, but she’s also honest about the areas I need to improve.

It helps to have someone you trust, someone who will tell you the truth about your strengths and your gaps. That kind of honest feedback is important if you really want to grow.

Third, invest in developing those areas. Practice them, study them, and look for opportunities to use them consistently.

In my case, education did not stop. I pursued trainings, certifications, and even completed a diploma in Strategic Human Resource Management and Development. For me, developing strengths is not just about awareness, but about intentionally sharpening them over time.

Fourth, apply your strengths in service of others. That’s when they become more meaningful and impactful.

In my case, this means continuing to serve through initiatives like Balik Laya, where we work with jail ministry volunteers to reach out to our brothers and sisters in jail and share the Gospel. We operate in several jails in the Cordillera. Now that I’m based in Metro Manila, I try to support the work by contributing in areas where I can, particularly in leadership guidance and volunteer engagement.

My wife and I also serve in church through the Across Family Ministry in CCF-BGC, where we’re given opportunities to support in the area of leadership and volunteer engagement as well.

These are simply opportunities we’ve said yes to because they align with what we believe we’ve been entrusted with.

And finally, be patient with the process. Growth takes time, but small, consistent steps lead to real change.

In my case, it took years before I began to see the fruits of becoming more strengths-aware, but we all have to start somewhere.

In fact, I’m still growing. I don’t feel like I’ve reached my full potential yet. I’m very much a work in progress, and to be honest, I’m not always comfortable talking about accomplishments like this. But I’ve come to realize that these stories need to be shared, because in one way or another, they can help others see that this approach works.

Unbox Your Talents

With the hope that more people become aware of what they carry, develop it intentionally, and use it to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, Atty. Dexter Diwas conducts workshops called Unbox Your Talents: A Strengths Awareness Session, designed to help individuals discover their talents, embrace their natural strengths, and perform at their best. Connect with him in Facebook and LinkedIn.