My Strengths

          My friend Trae encouraged me to take an Assessment that would highlight the strengths/traits that are strong within me.  By doing this I will be able to use those strengths to truly make a difference in the world, and in people's lives.  So below are my Top 5 strengths, and a little bit about each.  This blogpost would be too long if I posted all the information and you wouldn't want to read it then.

          1) Developer: Developers see the potential in others. They naturally see others’ capacity to change, grow, and develop for the better. And they are drawn to people for this reason. Being part of another person’s development is one of the best experiences in the world for them. They look for ways to challenge others. They devise interesting experiences that can stretch people, help them grow, and experience success.

2) Includer: This is the philosophy on which people with strong Includer talents center their lives. They want to include people and make them feel like part of the group. They notice people who feel like outsiders or who feel unappreciated and try to reach out and bring them in. They are instinctively accepting of others. Regardless of race, sex, nationality, personality, or faith, Includers cast few judgments.

            3) Maximizer: Maximizers see talents and strengths in others, usually before anyone else does. Strengths — whether their own or someone else’s fascinate them. Maximizers love to help others become excited about their potential. They have the capacity to see what people do best and which jobs they will be good at. They can see how people’s talents match the tasks that must be completed.

4) Positivity: People with strong Positivity talents are generous with praise, quick to smile, and always on the lookout for the upside of the situation. They bring enthusiasm to people, groups, and organizations. They can stimulate others to be more productive and hopeful. They always seem to find a way to lighten the spirits of those around them. They are optimistic, hopeful, and fun-loving. They celebrate every achievement. They find ways to make everything more exciting and more vital.

           5) People with strong Empathy talents can sense the emotions of those around them. They can feel what others are feeling as though the emotions were their own. They intuitively see the world through others’ eyes and share their perspectives. They perceive people’s pain or joy — sometimes before it is even expressed. Their instinctive ability to understand is powerful. They can hear unvoiced questions and anticipate needs. Where others grapple for words, they seem to find the right things to say and strike the right tone. As a result, they help people express their feelings — to themselves as well as to others. They help people give voice to their emotional lives.

      Some of these I was not expecting to get, but they all do explain me a lot, and I am very encouraged to use these strengths in the future.  

Gallup/Clifton Strengthfinder Assessment