Over my three years at Virginia Tech, I have taken many kinds of assessments. Many in leadership classes or seminars. The most popular being the Clifton Strengths Finder. I took this assessment three years ago, but I believe my results still hold somewhat true today. My top five strengths are 1. Input 2. Futuristic 3. Communication 4. Relator and 5. Positivity.
Input is very useful in my day-to-day life. It allows me to take in information and hold on to it. I know many facts and find interest in learning about new things that I might not have a particular use for; However, you never know when you might need a random fact about artificial banana flavoring being from Gros Michel’s and not the Cavendish. Not only do I collect knowledge, but I also collect salt and pepper shakers. While this has no real use in my professional life, it does make me a great host for themed dinner parties. Overall, I collect information and objects because they may one day have a use in my life.
Futuristic is also useful because it allows me to look forward and find ways to get to a positive future. I may be busy daydreaming of the perfect future but I’m also finding ways to get there. Having an outlook on the future can bring positivity to myself and others. Being futuristic creates hope. This is great for program planning and creating solutions to troubling problems.
I view communication to be vital in every aspect of my life. We all communicate every day of our lives and getting the correct point across is vital. I hate texting, I have no way of letting the other person in on how I’m feeling. This can create unnecessary conflict and prolong a conversation that could’ve been made shorter with a simple voice call. Communication will benefit me in getting things done faster in my career.
Being a relator can help further connect myself and others to each other. I enjoy meeting and talking to strangers. Creating relationships with the people around me to further better myself and the other people. I always find myself talking to strangers at parties and really getting down to get to know people. I enjoy learning from others. This can greatly benefit me in my career by making connections and having a higher social capital.
Having positivity can greatly benefit the people around me. I love bringing joy to people and lifting them up. Having this strength allows me to make things exciting and lively. I feel this strength can benefit me in my professional life by helping to create a safe space for my coworkers. This also benefits me in my personal life by creating lasting relationships.
Overall, I believe my results still hold true to this day; however, I know if I were to take the Clifton assessment again, I would likely get new results since it’s been three years since I’ve taken it. I enjoy these kinds of assessments, I believe they really help give words to yourself as a leader which is great for jobs.
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