Thursday, August 12, 2010

Finding my strengths

Our organization has encouraged different groups to read a book and take this online assessment. Maybe you have heard of it :
Basically you start by taking the assessment, get the report out, then read the book. Then you have to share your results with your manager and in turn we build upon the strengths. To tell you the truth, the questions were a little ridiculous, but aren't all tests that way? I was very honest in answering them, and because of that, I remained neutral on many of the questions. What's a girl to do? I am not sure I agree with one of the results, but then again - who I am to say it is wrong?

For fun, I am going to share with you the results. I will also tell you where I think it may be a little off.

Apparently my top five themes were:
Input
Connectedness
Activator
Context
Intellection
 
 
Check out the descriptions and tell me which one is most similar to you!
Now here is what they said:
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.



What makes you stand out?


It’s very likely that you usually give good advice. Often people’s questions dictate your


choice of reading materials. Whether you are studying something for the first time or


revisiting a topic to refresh your memory, you enjoy reading. Making discoveries that can


help others brings you much joy. Driven by your talents, you enjoy reading, but you refrain


from accepting information on its face value — that is, its seeming worth or truth. Typically


you examine ideas, suggestions, or facts from a variety of angles. Only then do you judge


what is worth filing away, taking notes on, or remembering for later reference. Instinctively,


you continually absorb, integrate, or catalog new information with ease. Ever eager to expand


your knowledge base, you read avidly. Because you can access your memory bank at any


time, you are free to process writers’ or researchers’ ideas immediately or at a later time.


Because of your strengths, you typically read books, journals, memos, or Internet sites


because you enjoy collecting new information and insights. Frequently you draw upon what


you had read weeks, months, or even years ago to outmaneuver individuals whose


performance is apt to be compared to your own. By nature, you occasionally appear to be a


pragmatist — that is, someone who spends time on factual matters or practical affairs. You


might demand that certain individuals working with you become fluent in the language of


their chosen profession, area of study, or field of interest. Once in a while, you may express


displeasure when you must stop to explain a subject-specific or technical term that the person


should already know.
 
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.

What makes you stand out?

It’s very likely that you underscore what people have in common even though their

backgrounds, experiences, languages, cultures, or interests vary greatly. You facilitate

dialogue between individuals. You create peace within groups and between people by linking

them to one another. By nature, you spontaneously open your mind to people’s diverse

philosophies of life. You habitually search for ideas that link one person’s fundamental truths

with another person’s core values. You probably realize human beings are tied to one another

regardless of their age, language, education, socio-economic status, nationality, race, religion,

or culture. Chances are good that you periodically enter contests for fun or to spend time with

friends. In the process, you might find yourself part of something larger, like building team

spirit or raising funds for a worthy cause. Perhaps this sense of being linked to other people

means more to you than finishing first or claiming an award. Driven by your talents, you

genuinely like to help people overcome obstacles that prevent them from linking up with one

another. This explains why you engage so many newcomers or outsiders in small talk as well

as serious discussions. Because of your strengths, you often are the one who helps people

understand how they are linked across time, distance, race, ethnicity, religion, economic

levels, languages, or cultures. You make it possible for individuals to work together. You aim

to break down barriers that separate them.
 
Activator:
People who are especially talented in the Activator theme can make things happen by turning thoughts into action. They are often impatient.

What makes you stand out?

Chances are good that you may launch certain projects or start particular assignments when no one else is willing to take the lead. When the circumstances are right, you might step forward, rally the people around you, and start things moving. Driven by your talents, you rely on your upbeat attitude to help people feel enthusiastic about life.
You regularly direct
their attention to what is good, beautiful, delightful, right, or possible. Others usually notice it

is difficult to feel downcast — that is, in low spirits or dejected — when in your presence. By

nature, you feel a surge of energy when you start talking with newcomers. You typically

generate such enthusiasm in these outsiders that they participate in activities, join teams,

register for classes, or interview for jobs. Instinctively, you might admit that you participate

in friendly rivalries for fun. Usually you are comfortable letting people know what you do

and do not value. It’s very likely that you intentionally show your approval of an individual

by referring to interesting points the person made during a conversation or presentation. You

frequently convince people you value them by paying very close attention when they speak.
 
Context: (This is the one I am not sure I agree with. I like to understand someone's past - not necessarily dwell in it.)
 

People who are especially talented in the Context theme enjoy thinking about the past. They
understand the present by researching its history.
What makes you stand out?

Instinctively, you often seek the company of historically astute individuals. You value the

clarity of their thinking about past events. They probably help you evaluate the roles of

principal figures in history. Chances are good that you experience a burst of enthusiasm when

you meet a newcomer who shares your interest in past events, historic places, and prominent

figures of the past. You rarely have difficulty initiating these discussions and keeping them

moving. Why? As history buffs — that is, enthusiasts — both of you are eager to ask and

answer questions. Because of your strengths, you really like to read about past events and the

key people involved. By accumulating lots of knowledge regarding days gone by, you

regularly anticipate the opportunitiespitfalls you are apt to face in the coming months,

years, or decades. Driven by your talents, you enjoy having opportunities to think with people

who reflect on past events. Why? They can relay — that is, pass along — information that

helps you put the words and deeds of people in their proper perspective. It’s very likely that

you usually choose to associate with people who value yesteryear’s stories, events, feats of

daring, and interesting personalities. You demonstrate a need to acquire lots of historic

information. This likely leads you to experts who appreciate many of your thought-provoking questions.

Intellection :
People who are especially talented in the Intellection theme are characterized by their

intellectual activity. They are introspective and appreciate intellectual discussions.

What makes you stand out?

Driven by your talents, you gravitate to discussions where the participants are committed to

searching for truth and reason. It’s very likely that you yearn to dedicate sufficient time and

energy to all the important parts of your life, such as personal growth, professional

responsibilities, family obligations, friends, health, and mental stimulation. Reading about

topics that interest you or fiction that spellbinds — that is, fascinates — you is apt to be a

factor in your quality-of-life equation. Chances are good that you eagerly welcome

opportunities to think out loud about ideas, theories, or philosophies. You derive pleasure

from conversations that force you to ponder matters that exist only in the realm of thought,

not in reality. Because of your strengths, you have a rich vocabulary upon which to draw. The

words you choose often expand and challenge your listeners’ or readers’ thinking. By nature,

you have an active and quick mind. You constantly process the “hows” and “whys” of

situations. You gather all kinds of interesting facts from printed material, such as books or

news publications. You enjoy sifting through documents. You thoroughly examine the most

relevant information. When your research yields more questions than answers, you probably

find a book that promises to expand your thinking. You have been known to read a 200-page

volume in the course of one evening, morning, or afternoon.
 
Sooo.. do you see yourself in any of these descriptions?? Let me know!

4 comments:

The Bipolar Diva said...

This is so interesting! I need to read it again to see which are close to me. My kids are being HORRIBLE right now and I can't concentrate! GRRRR!

Miel Abeille said...

Intellection sounds like me. I love taking these tests, and learning about what makes me tick. Sharing your results gives an interesting insight into who you are. Nice to share! Thanks, Nicole!

Gigi said...

The first 3 are totally me, too. Especially input. I had a manager once call me an "information sponge." Gigi's a very unhappy lady if she doesn't get the full 411. constantly.

BTW..thank you so much for connecting with my friend Lori about her charity effort! So cool that a random blog connection could lead to such a good thing!

Dawn said...

We had to do this at my work too - I don't remember my results but I remember thinking that it didn't feel like me...probably why I forgot the results:)

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