I have been finding an odd moment here and there to delve deeper into what my My Top 5 Strengths mean and what lies behind them.
Each of the 34 StrengthsFinder strength “themes” has a shared description, however the “Strengths Insight and Action-Planning Guide” provides a personalised take on your talents, and some questions to help your awareness.
So here’s a little more detail and some of my early reflections on my Top5. It was tough, but I’ve tried hard to keep to single answers to the questions!
Ideation
People who are especially talented in the Ideation theme are fascinated by ideas. They are able to find connections between seemingly disparate phenomena.
As you read your personalized strengths insights, what words, phrases, or lines stand out to you?
Maybe you are frustrated by people who conclude that your inventive suggestions are forms of criticism insubordination — that is, refusal to submit to authority.
Many aspects of the insight stood out, but this one specifically is something I have felt this often over the years. I’ve had to live with it, concluding it was either a rebellious streak in me, a failing in my ability to put my points across, or a combination of both!
Out of all the talents in this insight, what would you like for others to see most in you?
You allow people to broaden your understanding with their original ideas. You have discovered that “the life of the mind” is a joint effort. You receive from other thinkers as many — and sometimes even more — insights as you provide them. Thinking with individuals or groups stimulates your creativity.
Given the above, this seems somewhat mitigating! 😀 But there is no doubt this does give me a buzz.
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.
As you read your personalized strengths insights, what words, phrases, or lines stand out to you?
Perhaps you refuse to waste time, energy, or money correcting or fixing some of your limitations.
I think I’ve not been too conscious of this, and “refuse” sounds strong! I like “reluctant” better! Being honest with myself though, it’s not something I can really deny either!
Out of all the talents in this insight, what would you like for others to see most in you?
Driven by your talents, you are likely to do your best work when someone truly recognizes your strengths.
Given the shared description, this is a bit of a no-brainer! What I found interesting here, is that I’ve always felt I thrive on what I consider constructive criticism. It has left me reflecting on where feedback that I didn’t find so constructive was focused.
Futuristic
People who are especially talented in the Futuristic theme are inspired by the future and what could be. They inspire others with their visions of the future.
As you read your personalized strengths insights, what words, phrases, or lines stand out to you?
To some extent, you might agree with the notion “If you can think it, you can make it happen.”
A lot stood out in this one. there is much here I can identify with. It is also the strength where I felt most clearly I perhaps don’t do enough to be working to it. We’ll see what we can do there when it comes to the actions! 🙂
Out of all the talents in this insight, what would you like for others to see most in you?
Perhaps the chances for your outstanding performance increase in proportion to how intrigued you are with an activity.
In terms of others understanding me, I think this says a lot!
Strategic
People who are especially talented in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.
As you read your personalized strengths insights, what words, phrases, or lines stand out to you?
Maybe you derive exceptional pleasure from actively participating in conversations as long as group members propose ideas, seek solutions, or debate issues.
There is a flip side to this one……!
Out of all the talents in this insight, what would you like for others to see most in you?
Because of your strengths, you are innovative, inventive, original, and resourceful. Your mind allows you to venture beyond the commonplace, the familiar, or the obvious.
I found myself referring back to the other strengths in my top 5 here, seeing similarities and contributing factors in situations where I’ve felt frustrated through feeling stifled in these areas.
Activator
People who are especially talented in the Activator theme can make things happen by turning thoughts into action. They are often impatient.
As you read your personalized strengths insights, what words, phrases, or lines stand out to you?
Instinctively, you sometimes rely on your expertise or knowledge to help you make specific choices.
I wasn’t quite sure what to make of this one. I can see a positive and negative aspect to it….
Out of all the talents in this insight, what would you like for others to see most in you?
By nature, you occasionally galvanize — that is, spark or excite — people’s enthusiasm by pointing out things they have done well.
This is something that I could probably do more of, perhaps more openly. I’ll be interested to see the actions suggested for this.
So, there we go, lots to chew over for me! I’d be interested in any reaction, particularly from those of you that know me a little in person!
Join the conversation!