Have you ever struggled with the question? It’s a question that I’ve always found tough to answer. Balancing the line between boasting vs what you optimistically think you’re good at, it can sometimes be difficult to be impartial and realistic.
As a recent team exercise, we completed the Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment by quickly evaluating 100+ statements and indicating to what degree you align with them. I was skeptical at first, but the results for myself were reasonably accurate and I felt truly resonated with what I believe were my strengths. The resulting output is a list of your top 5 strengths. You can opt to pay an additional amount to have the full list, including your weaknesses.
So why is this useful? Why complete this? Our strengths are what come easier to us, it’s where we enter a state of flow and brings enjoyment and engagement in work. If your strengths don’t align with your job, it’s going to be a grind and it may not be somewhere that you can excel. Obviously work isn’t going to a comfortable walk in the park, you’re still going to have tough days – but if your strengths match the role, both you and your employer will get compounding effects of your contributing work. Working on improving your weaknesses is still important as well, and gives areas for future growth and evolving strengths.
It’s also useful within a team to understand each other’s strengths so you understand how each other works, where others excel and where additional time may be required for areas that aren’t strengths, if they’re key to the role.
https://high5test.com is a similar test (free) and a similar question format. You might find it useful to see where your strengths lie and if that aligns with the roles to which you’re applying.
So what are my strengths? Below is the summary from High5Test. I’m glad to see they align with the role of #ProgramManagement #ProjectManagement (1, 2, 3, 5). And 4. Philomath is something that’s been constantly in my life – learning like a sponge (#growthmindset) and also aligns with the wide variety of roles in a variety of industries. The more the learn the better, so many interests, knowledge is broad, but not deep.
- Time Keeper – Nothing excites Time Keepers more than meeting a deadline. They enjoy setting up processes, timelines and plans.
- Problem Solver – Problem Solvers love uncovering flaws, diagnosing problems and coming up with solutions.
- Deliverer – Deliverers follow through on their commitments and appreciate seeing how this builds more trust and respect among others.
- Philomath – Philomaths love learning. They explore many interests, follow new paths and acquire as much knowledge as possible.
- Strategist – Strategists look at the big picture, which enables them to easily find the best way out of the clutter.
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