Aloha everyone! I hope you are having an enjoyable holiday season so far. This post is an assignment from earlier this semester as a part of my introduction to leadership seminar. Our class used the CliftonStrengths for Students online tool to discover our top five leadership characteristics and examine how they contribute to our behavior in group settings. It was a wonderful opportunity for introspection, and I really enjoyed the process.
The StrengthsFinder assessment is an online tool we used to help us identify our individual skills as a part of our leadership training, and the program identified Input, Intellection, Maximizer, Futuristic, and Learner as my five key strengths. After reviewing the descriptions of each theme, I was surprised by how closely they matched my style of work and personality. For example, one of the most shockingly accurate details was within the Input section, where it discussed my tendency to collect information, books, and artifacts that I find interesting as a way to gather knowledge. Though the actual breakdown was much more detailed, a brief explanation of my top five is as such: Input relates to my drive to gather as much information as I can about the world, Intellection relates to my proclivity for asking questions and engaging in philosophical discussion, Maximizer relates to my desire for praise and to exist in a supportive work environment, Futuristic relates to my future-centered perspective, and Learner relates to my affinity for the process of learning as well as the high standards I place on myself.
Of the five strengths my report identified, the one that I feel is most important for others to know about me in a collaborative environment is my tendencies as a Maximizer. This theme emphasized the importance of positive reinforcement and encouragement when I am working, and I recognize how true that is after reflecting on my work habits. I do not respond well to harsh critiques or negative reinforcement, as it makes me feel inadequate and underappreciated. When I lose confidence in the work I am doing or my various abilities, I become insecure and end up producing results I am not proud of. However, when I am offered reassurance regarding my work by a superior or colleague, I feel comfortable to share my ideas freely and thus create a higher quality end product. Subsequently, when I take on a leadership role within a group, I use supportive language as my main tool when managing situations and people. I think that it’s crucial to foster an environment of mutual respect and positivity when in team situations. Overall, I really enjoyed the chance to examine and reflect on my various strengths, and feel that this exercise has given me valuable insight into how I can implement new strategies to capitalize on those strengths.
