My Top 5 Strengths

May 1st, 2008 by Cristina Favreau

Lately, you’ve heard me talk a lot about StrengthsFinder 2.0 and Go Put Your Strengths to Work. If you haven’t already done so, you need to get these books. It has been a life-changing experience for me, and I believe everyone needs to know about their strengths and talents (you may think you know, but not at this level).

I realized that I haven’t yet shared with you the results of my StrengthsFinder 2.0 assessment — my top 5 strengths. Since I’m asking candidates for my Summer Internship Program to include their assessment results in their application, it’s only fair I share mine.

NOTE: I’ve extended the internship application date to May 10 to give everyone the chance to get a copy of the book and take the assessment.

So here they are in order, my top 5 strengths:

  • Individualization: People strong in the Individualization theme are intrigued with the unique qualities of each person. They have a gift for figuring out how people who are different can work together productively.
  • Learner: People strong in the Learner theme have a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve. In particular, the process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites them.
  • Activator: People strong in the Activator theme can make things happen by turning thoughts into action. They are often impatient.
  • Responsibility: People strong 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.
  • Achiever: People strong in the Achiever theme have a great deal of stamina and work hard. They take great satisfaction from being busy and productive.

For a short description of each of the 34 themes, check out The Gallup Organization’s StrengthsFinder Instrument on the CareerTrainer site.

At first, I was in denial. I mean, I didn’t get any of the “good” ones. I viewed Responsibility as a curse — a weakness, not a strength. I viewed the description of the Individualization theme as people who are touchy-feely emotional types — HOW could it be my first, most dominant strength? I was in such denial that I was going to buy another book for a new access code to retake the test.

After sulking for a few weeks (yes, I’m that stubborn), I decided to read over my Strengths Discovery and Action-Planning Guide (the comprehensive report you get after completing the online assessment) once again, this time with an open mind.

Something very strange happened… I got a lump in my throat (I am NOT — repeat NOT — a touchy-feely emotional person). How could someone as self-aware and so in touch with the deepest aspects of my personality be moved to (near) tears by some silly test?

There was a mixture of sadness and relief.

  • Sadness: I realized how much time I’ve been wasting in my business trying to do things I’m just not good at or loathe, because… well… who else is going to do them? I also mourned over the strengths I didn’t get, the ones I thought I “should” have. But those feelings blew over quickly.
  • Relief: It described so clearly what I, at a gut level, know makes me different, but never had the language to describe. It also felt like someone finally “got” me — why I do the things I do, in the way I do them. Finally, it gave me a lot of clarity, because I now have a better idea of where to develop my skills, knowledge and practice, and which areas to build my business around.

Instead of fighting to get myself to do the things I’m not good at or have no desire to learn (and beating myself up for not wanting to), I’m concentrating my time, energy and money on developing my natural talents, doing what I’m REALLY good at and honing those talents. I want to be more of who I already am, not be anything I want (or have) to be.

That’s the main reason why I came up with the idea to run a Summer Internship Program, so I can build a team of people with strengths who complement (not compete with) mine, allowing me to take my business to the next level (not to sound cliché, or anything).

If you’re open to sharing, I’d love to know what your top 5 are.Discussing with others who have gone through the process is both exciting and therapeutic.

Category Resources, Strengths Movement, Success | 7 Comments »

  • Brent

    Thanks for this post, I haven’t yet taken the review and so don’t have 5 strengths to share.

    I did a similar study a few years ago and had similar issues with the results. Ultimately I also had to accept that there might be something to it.

    The other thing I wanted to mention is that I am currently in an Intern program and have found it to be both difficult and educational.

    Regards

  • http://www.theDataDigger.com Lara, The Data Digger

    In your post, you said:
    “I viewed the description of the Individualization theme as people who are touchy-feely emotional types — HOW could it be my first, most dominant strength? I was in such denial that I was going to buy another book for a new access code to retake the test.”

    My curiosity begs to ask, “did you take the strengths finder assessment while you were pregnant?” I wonder what your strengths finder assessment results would be if you took the test one year AFTER your baby was born.

    If you want to do another assessment in July of 2009, I will treat you to another book!

  • http://www.cristinafavreau.com/ Cristina Favreau

    That’s a good question, Lara. Honestly, I don’t think my results would be much different AFTER giving birth (have you thought of all the postpartum hormones that will be running through me?) :)

    I think the questionnaire is made in such a way that it takes into account life changes. In fact, the Gallup Organization has tested this theory and found that there were little differences in results for people retaking the assessment 10 years later!

    Thanks for the offer!! I’ve pretty much accepted my results… Embraced them, actually, and I’ve started implementing them in my business! It’s what makes me special (as much as I hate that word!).

  • http://www.votreadjointe.com Danielle

    I’m not sure the order that the strengths come out on paper or screen is important. The first one does not mean it is the most important. It may show off in particular situation.

    Each strength has its luminous side and its darker side. For example, Empathy is one of my strengths. When I’m at my best or in the “zone”, I know what people need to hear. When I’m tired or stressed, I tend to be too emotional … and I’m not a mother so I don’t think hormones have anything to do with it.

    My strengths are: Empathy, Focus, Achiever, Responsibility and Maximiser.

    Being a virtual assistant and an entrepreneur at heart, I’m really not surprised to see achiever and responsibility in my top 5.

    Depending what I need to do or where I’m at in my life, one shows off more than the other.

    I did the test in 2002 and retook it last year. I got the same results.

    As for the word special, I don’t mind the word but frankly, I prefer being unique.

  • http://www.janetbarclay.com Janet Barclay

    Cristina, after speaking with you and attending your seminar at OIVAC, I bought the Strengthsfinder, but to be honest, I haven’t really found it helpful. I agree with 4 of the 5 themes, but I don’t see anything in the book or the Strengths Discovery and Action Planning Guide that really helps me do anything with this information.

  • http://www.theDataDigger.com Lara, The Data Digger

    @Janet Barclay perhaps this blog post by Margaret Greenberg on Positive Psychology News Daily will help. She explains the “Strengths Card Sort.”
    http://pos-psych.com/news/margaret-greenberg/20080614798

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