𝓘𝓷𝓬𝓵𝓾𝓭𝓮𝓻 | 𝓛𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓮𝓻 | 𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓭𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓼 | 𝓓𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓵𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓻 | 𝓦𝓸𝓸
Around four or five years ago, I participated in the CliftonStrengths test with a previous team to grasp our strengths and enhance collaboration on projects. I remember looking at my results, thinking woo is an odd thing to see next to my name.
However, this assessment helped me recognize parts of myself that I never even thought twice about. As I sat with the results, really reading through the descriptions of my top 10 strengths, and reflecting on my personal and professional life at that point, I started to see how this assessment might just be the most accurate and eye-opening personality test I’ve ever taken.
Woo – “You enjoy the challenge of meeting new people and getting them to like you. Strangers are rarely intimidating to you. On the contrary, strangers can be energizing. You are drawn to them. You want to learn their names, ask them questions, and find some area of common interest so that you can strike up a conversation.”
I’ve always had the “Put me in, Coach” attitude when gathering stories, coordinating public relations efforts at trade shows or overseeing various vendors and volunteers at events. I love people and understanding their wants and needs, as well as how to best communicate with them. Woo also helps me authentically tell the story of others and ensure the messaging is relatable to my designated audiences, too. Woo – the strength I never stopped to realize I had.
Then as I reflected on the rest of my top 10 traits, other patterns, passions and perspectives about myself made sense – a huge lightbulb moment for me.
When we started to explore my fellow teammates’ top 10 strengths, I sat in awe. Some of the strengths I immediately thought, “Yes! I can totally see that.” Other strengths that were listed provided me with a new perspective on a co-worker, seeing more clearly what motivated them with their past choices. The exercise left me with a better footing for future discussions and collaborations with those teammates which I’ll forever be thankful for.
Over the past few years, the results have added an extra layer of confidence in life as I’ve pondered, “Ah! Yes, I’m leaning into that includer, learner, woo, etc. trait right now.” (I even willingly retook the test with my own money after losing the original results throughout moving that’s how much I believe in this assessment. Fun fact, a couple of my top 10 strengths may have shifted order when retaking it, but those same strengths still all remained in the top tier.)
The CliftonStrengths test is something I wish everyone was gifted on day one of a job. It can be a powerful tool for the team toolbox. Teams are made up of different strengths, different personalities and different perspectives.
Playing into those team strengths can bring your team to life in ways that are naturally inherent to colleagues. Understanding and embracing differences can prepare you all for potential gaps or prevent misunderstandings down the line. And pondering these new perspectives can even help in communicating with your target audience along the way. Just some food for thought as we’re all navigating our breakthrough year.
Have you taken the CliftonStrengths test? What results helped you see yourself in a new light?
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