That is until Newgen decided to do an admin teambuilding day.
The basic history and premise of Strengthsfinder
We were each given a link and a unique code, given the instruction to log in, answer the questions, and thus gain the 5 words generated as a result. So I duly did that last Sunday - closed my door, logged in and completed the questionnaire. Sure enough, I got my 5 words. It was only on the Tuesday that I found out I'd been given a report that I could print out! When I read it, I was terrified, and convinced some kind of witchcraft was going on!
On the Wednesday morning, we got to meet Simon, who explained what Strengthsfinder was and what it does, and we got to see (most of us for the first time) into whether our words fell into the "influence", "relate", "strategic" or "execute" domains. "Influence" is those traits which help us in large group situations - they quite enjoy limelight, being in public, think of things like ambience, moods, etc. But they're not very good at one-on-one relationships - that's the job of the "relate" key words. People who are strong in this are real "people" people. While they might be shy, they are very tuned in to how a person is feeling, and whether they feel part of what is going on or not. Then the "strategic" people are the deep thinkers and planners - research and innovation is what they thrive on. Then the "executors" - the "get it done" type people. They might not be friendly, but they know what has to be done, and they get it done - very, very efficiently.
So Simon started giving us our groupings. Not really surprising, none of my words fell into the "Influence" domain. I really am a person who prefers very much to be quietly in the back row, so I wasn't surprised. My fifth strongest trait - that of "developer" came up under relate, and then my top three traits came up in "strategic". If you've been keeping up, then you will know that my last one was in "execute."
Anyway. let me give you my top two - the two words that Strengthsfinder reckons sum me up better that any other words in the whole world:
1, 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. (So true - this is where flipfiles are the best invention ever!)
Chances are good that you are determined to keep abreast of the news. You probably satisfy your hunger for current information by habitually reading newspapers, magazines, correspondence, memos, files or Internet sites. (Witchcraft, I tell you - who told them????) Driven by your talents, you delight in the opportunity to hear leading thinkers discuss their theories and insights. The "life of the mind" appeals to you greatly. You relish acquiring new information about profound, out-of-the-ordinary, or scholarly ideas. It's very likely that you may be a wordsmith - that is, a person who works with words. (Hence my blog!) Perhaps you collect complicated terms and their definitions. Whether you can use these immediately or months later is of little concern.(I love playing "It Pays To Enhance Your Word Power" in Reader's Digest! And Balderdash is just the most fantastic game ever for this!) You might realise your sophisticated vocabulary is an "open sesame" - that is, words that unfailingly bring about a desired end. You might speak or write in such a manner that the condition of humankind or the planet improves in some small, yet meaningful, way. By nature, you may insert intricate or theoretical words into your academic or professional conversations and writings. your interest in language partially explains why you enjoy mastering specific types of words and their definitions. While some individuals are required to memorise new terms in classes or seminars, perhaps you automatically commit specific words to memory. Occasionally you describe this experience as pleasurable. Instinctively, you can escape the tension, pressure or stress of everyday life by reading a good book, diving into a publication's articles, or pulling up information on the Internet. ("Oh, this is so not like me!" she says sarcastically ....)You are apt to take reading material with you on vacations, business trips, rest breaks at work, or tables for one at restaurants. (They missed doctors appointments, car trips, the yearly visit to the Receiver of Revenue....) You routinely dog-ear pages, underline key ideas or scribble notes in the margins so your latest discoveries can be easily retrieved. (This is probably the only thing I disagreed with - I battle to damage books in any way. Post-it flags - best invention ever - after flipfiles!!!)
2. Intellection
People who are especially talented in the Intellection theme are characterised by their intellectual activity. They are introspective and appreciate intellectual discussion. (Bang on the money!)
It's very likely that you occasionally go off by yourself to think through things. (I've been accused of being anti-social and some people have come to drag me "back into company". All that succeeds in doing is leaving me depressed. I need my own company and complete silence to completely relax) Because of your strengths, you may feel comfortable associating with some historians. Perhaps you are attracted to experts who rely on proven facts. You might prefer individuals who research particular events.(Anyone who really, really knows their subject is fascinating to talk to.) You sometimes mull over what you have heard. You might develop your own theories, raise new questions, or write about your discoveries. (Again, hence the blog!) By nature, you may enjoy reflecting on what you already know or want to know. At times, your concentration leads you to major or minor discoveries.(Sounds like an average morning devotional time for me!) Maybe you need ample quiet time to examine new information, theories, concepts, or philosophies. Perhaps your mind cannot rest regardless of where you go or what you do. (The reasons for my insomnia are becoming apparent, are they not? For someone to say to me "Just switch off!" shows that the person speaking does not at all understand how I work. My brain is just not wired to switch off!!! That switch short-circuited at birth!) To some extent, you ponder what you have observed. Occasionally you pose never-before-asked questions. Perhaps thinking deeply about certain things is necessary for you. It might not be a luxury. It might not be an option. Instinctively, you are by nature someone who soothes people when they become upset, overwhelmed, angry, or fearful about life's uncertainties. (Part of me agrees with this - I think of sitting next to the nursing sister of Cotlands on her second-ever flight back from Johannesburg to Cape Town, and she was petrified. Because I've flown a few times, and because I read Colin's aviation magazines, I was able literally to explain in great detail what each noise meant as we approached land and what the next thing to happen would be - all while she squished my hand into oblivion! However, there is a side of me that gets thoroughly irritated with people who seem to be self-indulgent in their anger, upset, moods, frustrations or irrational fears. I cannot bear people "sweating the small stuff" and making mountains out of molehills, making everyone else around them miserable because things are not going exactly according to their plan.) Because you read so much, typically you can expand their view of the situation by sharing a fact, a thought, a quotation, or a story you have discovered. Driven by your talents, you may prefer to read, write and ponder philosophies, theories or concepts that interest you. You might prefer to be alone with your thoughts rather than engage people in small talk at a social event. (Absolutely true. That's if I even attend the social event. I am absolutely the WRONG person to have on "meet and greet" in any situation.)
So this, according to Clifton Strengthsfinder, is what runs the rest of me. I think predominantly strategically, not relationally. Logic works so much better for me (I'm completely left-brained!) - facts and figures all the way. I have a photographic memory for facts. Prime example is when I meet people - I will remember their name and facts about them, but ask me what they look like, and I won't be able to tell you! It's really terrible!
I'll finish off the final three parts of my core tomorrow. I think it's information overload for everyone for one day.
And besides, I have four books and 12 magazines that really, really need my attention!
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| My normal pose! |
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