Trying to keep a positive outlook about my strengths. Since, after all, they are my strengths, right? Also, I've never written a blog and have only read about two in my lifetime...so blog lingo? I'll try to get it down–but it's for a class...so do I need to be formal? I guess I'll find out on Friday. Anyway...my top five strengths from the StrengthsQuest are all in one category: relationship building. And although it's unusual for a person's strengths to all draw from one category, I am keeping in mind that it doesn't mean that the other three categories hold my weaknesses.
My top five strengths are Connectedness, Developer, Empathy, Harmony and Relator. I think it's an easy answer to say how they are all tied together. Clearly, my strengths lie in building relationships with others. I think it's safe to say that this can also include maintaining relationships, given that one of my strengths is Harmony. I relate to people easily and can empathize where they are coming from. Being an accepting person, I always attempt to anticipate how people might feel depending on what I say or don't say or how I act, gesture or imply something.
Seventy-five percent of communication is through non-verbal actions. The thing to keep in mind about building and maintaining a relationship is that it's not just about what I say to others, but it's also through my actions and gestures that show what the relationship means to me. Through the Board Immersion program, I know I will be able to connect to board members easily as well as my peers in the program. One of my strengths is Developer; part of that strength is being able to see the potential in others. My goal is to help them experience success. That will make me a great team member in BIP as we tackle these projects together.
My broad relationship building skill will add to my experience immensely because I will be able to create bonds with people throughout the year...and hopefully not just superficial bonds. Since I care about what others care about, I know I will make it my priority to get jobs done and to stay in communication with my board mentor and my peers. Yes, it could mean that I'm more stressed at times because I want others to see my work as excellent, but that's just another way that my strengths contribute to being apart of this program.
Since all of my strengths are so similar, it's hard to say which ones I will use the most. I can safely say I will have to use harmony; when working with others, things almost never go smoothly. Finding a common ground, holding my peace and modifying my own objectives are all things I anticipate having to do while working on getting a job done. Nothing can get done if everyone is butting heads. I will probably also have to whip out my Empathy strength throughout the year. People are going to have different situations going on in their lives that maybe cause them to be late on a deadline or whatnot. Being able to empathize with them can only help the project succeed, rather than creating tension through frustration. Since apparently I am a relationship wizard, I can advise that it's better not to guilt the person because of failure to meet a deadline. They probably already feel bad enough as is.
I don't have any questions regarding StrengthsQuest or my talent themes...only that I hope one day I can find out what my next top strengths are. Are the next four in the Relationship Building category, too? I'm kind of hoping for more diversity.
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