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Over the years, I began learning about and using my strengths. Here they are, according to various inventories:
Click + next to the categories below to expand them and x to collapse them.
Authentic Happiness
Authentic Happiness offers a VIA Survey of Character Strengths. Upon taking this 240-question survey, I identified my top strengths as follows:
Strength #1: Creativity, Ingenuity, and Originality
Thinking of new ways to do things is a crucial part of who I am. I am never content with doing something the conventional way if a better way is possible.
Strength #2: Leadership
I excel at the tasks of leadership: encouraging a group to get things done and preserving harmony within the group by making everyone feel included. I do a good job organizing activities and seeing that they happen.
Strength #3: Forgiveness and Mercy
I forgive those who have done me wrong. I always give people a second chance. My guiding principle is mercy and not revenge.
Strength #4: Perspective Wisdom
Although I may not think of myself as wise, my friends hold this view of me. They value my perspective on matters and turn to me for advice. I have a way of looking at the world that makes sense to others and to myself.
Strength #5: Judgment, Critical Thinking, and Open-Mindedness
Thinking things through and examining them from all sides are important aspects of who I am. I do not jump to conclusions, and I rely only on solid evidence to make my decisions. I am able to change my mind.
Strengths Finder
According to Strengths Finder 2.0, my strengths are as follows, with the top 5 listed in green:
Strategic Thinking
- Analytical: People exceptionally talented in the Analytical theme search for reasons and causes. They have the ability to think about all of the factors that might affect a situation.
- Ideation: People exceptionally talented in the Ideation theme are fascinated by ideas. They are able to find connections between seemingly disparate phenomena.
- Strategic: People exceptionally talented in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.
Relationship Building
- Adaptability: People exceptionally talented in the Adaptability theme prefer to go with the flow. They tend to be “now” people who take things as they come and discover the future one day at a time.
- Developer: People exceptionally talented in the Developer theme recognize and cultivate the potential in others. They spot the signs of each small improvement and derive satisfaction from evidence of progress.
- Empathy: People exceptionally talented in the Empathy theme can sense other people’s feelings by imagining themselves in others’ lives or situations.
- Harmony: People exceptionally talented in the Harmony theme look for consensus. They don’t enjoy conflict; rather, they seek areas of agreement.
- Individualization: People exceptionally talented in the Individualization theme are intrigued with the unique qualities of each person. They have a gift for figuring out how different people can work together productively.
- Positivity: People exceptionally talented in the Positivity theme have contagious enthusiasm. They are upbeat and can get others excited about what they are going to do.
Influencing
- Activator: People exceptionally talented in the Activator theme can make things happen by turning thoughts into action. They want to do things now, rather than simply talk about them.
- Communication: People exceptionally talented in the Communication theme generally find it easy to put their thoughts into words. They are good conversationalists and presenters.
- Maximizer: People exceptionally talented in the Maximizer theme focus on strengths as a way to stimulate personal and group excellence. They seek to transform something strong into something superb.
- Significance: People exceptionally talented in the Significance theme want to make a big impact. They are independent and prioritize projects based on how much influence they will have on their organization or people around them.
Executing
- Arranger: People exceptionally talented in the Arranger theme can organize, but they also have a flexibility that complements this ability. They like to determine how all of the pieces and resources can be arranged for maximum productivity.
- Responsibility: People exceptionally talented in the Responsibility theme take psychological ownership of what they say they will do. They are committed to stable values such as honesty and loyalty.
- Restorative: People exceptionally talented in the Restorative theme are adept at dealing with problems. They are good at figuring out what is wrong and resolving it.
