are you strong? do you know how you are strong? i'm not asking how much you can bench or if you could take me out all "over the top" style in an arm wrestling match. what i'm asking is if you know what your strengths are as an individual....and if you don't....would you like to know?
recently i starting reading a book (gasp!) called strengths finder 2.0 by tom rath. the book comes with a sealed envelope and inside that envelope is a unique code. you go to www.strengthsfinder.com and enter the code and that leads you to a series of questions that in the end will give you what the author thinks are your top 5 strengths.
well....i was super interested in seeing how wrong this tom guy was. so, i did it. once i had my list of strengths, the book describes in detail how these particular strengths play out in real life. what they look like, how they manifest, how individuals with a particular strength can effectively work with individuals of a different strength....really interesting stuff....or at least to me. again, i'm a geek. so, do you wanna know my strengths?
2. responsibility-the responsibility theme forces me to take mental ownership of anything i commit to, large or small, and then binds me emotionally to follow through to completion. apologies, excuses and rationalizations are not enough and totally unacceptable.
3. relator-this is a relational trait. i am comfortable with intimacy. once an initial connection is made, i deliberately encourage a deepening of the relationship. i want to understand your feelings, goals, fears and dreams...i want you to understand mine. i realize this type of closeness involves a certain amount of risk...but i'm willing to accept that.
4. communication-i like to explain, describe, host, speak in public and write (duh). ideas and events are dry and static....i need to bring them to life. i know most people have a short attention span and are constantly bombarded with information, so i want my information to survive. this is what drives my hunt for the perfect phrase...and why people like to listen to me.
5. developer-i see potential in others...sometimes that's all i see. when i interact with people, my goal is to help them experience success. i look for ways and experiences to challenge and stretch them...and then i watch for signs of growth. these signs of growth are my fuel.
wow. so, even as i read through these again i'm getting super excited! i am reading through this book with a group of friends and the other night at dinner we all divulged our own strengths and the subsequent descriptions from the book. i couldn't believe how the words of the author seemed to be written not just about a generic theme, applicable to many, but in my own mind and ears...written only to me. like, "how did he know?" this new information has completely energized my own sense of who i am. it's pretty amazing actually. i feel like i'm starting to live with so much more intention because i'm really aware now of who and what i am. it's really been inspiring! so, maybe you might want to try this for yourself if you haven't already. i highly recommend it!
have a great weekend...take care!
4 comments:
So cool Jeramy!! I finally took my test today!! Here are my top five!!
Empathy
People who are especially talented in the Empathy theme can sense the feelings of other people by imagining themselves in others’ lives or others’ situations.
Harmony
People who are especially talented in the Harmony theme look for consensus. They don’t enjoy conflict; rather, they seek areas of agreement.
Developer
People who are especially talented in the Developer theme recognize and cultivate the potential in others. They spot the signs of each small improvement and derive satisfaction from these improvements.
Woo
People who are especially talented in the Woo theme love the challenge of meeting new people and winning them over. They derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection with another person.
Communication
People who are especially talented in the Communication theme generally find it easy to put their thoughts into words. They are good conversationalists and presenters.
WOW!! When reading the long versions I am blown away!!
After reading through the book and browsing I saw WOO and really prayed that I had that kind of heart And look!! I can't believe it!!
Can't wait to put this new knowledge into action in my life!!
Ok so how much do I love that you just made an Over the Top reference?? You are officially my hero!
I found this book/test really helpful, too. A mentor at work suggested it and I ended up actually doing it when writing up my ideal job description as requested by my boss.
(P.S. So good to see Nicky and Jeramy this weekend!!!!)
Connectedness
People who are especially talented in the Connectedness theme have faith in the links between all things. They believe there are few coincidences and that almost every event has a reason.
Empathy
People who are especially talented in the Empathy theme can sense the feelings of other people by imagining themselves in others’ lives or others’ situations.
Input
People who are especially talented in the Input theme have a craving to know more. Often they like to collect and archive all kinds of information.
Maximizer
People who are especially talented in the Maximizer theme focus on strengths as a way to stimulate personal and group excellence. They seek to transform something strong into something superb.
Learner
People who are especially talented in the Learner theme have a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve. In particular, the process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites them.
HOLLY! Yours are SO YOU!!!!
MIne are:
Positivity
People who are especially talented in the Positivity theme have an enthusiasm that is contagious. They are upbeat and can get others excited about what they are going to do.
Developer
People who are especially talented in the Developer theme recognize and cultivate the potential in others. They spot the signs of each small improvement and derive satisfaction from these improvements.
Individualization
People who are especially talented in the Individualization theme are intrigued with the unique qualities of each person. They have a gift for figuring out how people who are different can work together productively.
Adaptability
People who are especially talented in the Adaptability theme prefer to “go with the flow.” They tend to be “now” people who take things as they come and discover the future one day at a time.
Input
People who are especially talented in the Input theme have a craving to know more. Often they like to collect and archive all kinds of information.
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