Photo by Using Strengths to Accelerate Growth
Since taking the StrengthFinder assessment in 2014, I’ve discovered that concentrating on my strengths has led to greater career success. When I apply these strengths, I feel energized and confident.
I retook the test in 2018 while reading Strengths Based Leadership, curious to see how my strengths could apply to leadership. Despite a slight shift in my strengths, the results were largely consistent with my initial assessment. My 2018 themes all fall within the Strategic Thinking domain. I believe all six of these themes still apply to me today.
💡 Top 5 themes from my StrengthsFinder profile
2014 2018 Strategic Learner Learner Strategic Intellection Intellection Input Input Achiever Ideation
Strategic Thinking
“People with dominant Strategic Thinking themes […] absorb and analyze information that informs better decisions.”
Strategic thinkers devote time to envisioning potential outcomes and determining the best strategies for their teams’ success. High-performing teams depend on these thinkers to make informed decisions. They guide their teams towards future objectives and stimulate innovative ideas.
Learner
“People exceptionally talented in the Learner theme have a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve. The process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites them.”
My natural curiosity compels me to learn new things every day. This drive enables me to quickly grasp new subjects and I am drawn to difficult and challenging endeavors. A career in the ever-evolving field of web development has served as an excellent platform to nurture this strength.
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.”
I’ve been accused of being slow in making decisions. However, this is because I meticulously evaluate all possible solutions before choosing the best one. I’m adept at quickly identifying patterns, making connections, and spotting obstacles.
Intellection
“People exceptionally talented in the Intellection theme are characterized by their intellectual activity. They are introspective and appreciate intellectual discussions.”
I take pleasure in thinking, whether it involves problem-solving, generating new ideas, or understanding people’s behaviors. Being introspective, I’m constantly seeking self-improvement. Alongside my Learner theme, I thoroughly enjoy intellectual discussions about unfamiliar topics.
Input
“People exceptionally talented in the Input theme have a need to collect and archive. They may accumulate information, ideas, artifacts or even relationships.”
My ability to recall information on a certain topic makes me an expert in my team. I maintain an organized database of notes from various sources I read, listen to, and watch. This complements my Learner theme, as I have a strong desire to know more.
Ideation
“People exceptionally talented in the Ideation theme are fascinated by ideas. They are able to find connections between seemingly disparate phenomena.”
New ideas, whether my own or from other sources, energize me. I ponder their potential applications, implications, and consequences, creatively linking them to other ideas.
Achiever
“People exceptionally talented in the Achiever theme work hard and possess a great deal of stamina. They take immense satisfaction in being busy and productive.”
I thrive in a fast-paced environment and feel most fulfilled when accomplishing goals. These accomplishments can range from devising new ideas and plans, building connections with people, or successfully completing a project.
Applied to My Career
How can I incorporate these themes into my career? Being a part of the fast-paced technology industry satisfies my eagerness to learn new things. By assuming a leadership role, I can utilize my strategic thinking skills to develop projects and solve complex problems.