Do you know your Personality Strengths?

To make your self-discovery easy, I have summarized a list of Personality Strengths. This information is based on “NOW, Discover your strengths” by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D. pages: 83-116.

We will continue the process of defining your strengths. Read the description. Check it if the portrayal fits you. Write “No,” if it is totally unlike you. Highlight a sentence if only that part describes who you are as a person. You can also note traits of other people you know.            

Are you an…..

_____ Commander: This trait loves to take charge. You are confortable with imposing your views on others. Once your opinion is formed, you need to share it with others. You set the goals. This type is not disturbed by confrontation; rather, you understand that opposition is the first step towards resolution. This personality feels compelled to present the facts or the truth no matter how unpleasant it may be. You motivate people to take risks. People find you opinionated and intimidating but will often hand the reins over to you because you have such a strong presence.

_____ Communicator: This strength wants to explain, describe, host, speak or write. Ideas and events are boring, and you feel the need to bring them to life, energize, excite and make them vivid. Events turn into stories that you practice telling. In your hands, moments are enlivened with images, examples, and metaphors. Individuals have a short attention time so you find ways to make your information survive. You often divert peoples’ attention towards you by being expressive and captivating. People like to listen to you because your words become pictures that pique their interest, sharpen their world and inspire them to act.

_____ Competitor: Life is rooted in comparison. The comparison is based upon other people’s performance. Their performance is the ultimate yardstick. To feel good, you must not only meet your goals but outperform your peers. This type is always comparing themselves to others. If you can figure out how you compare, then you know how to match wits which will give you the advantage to win. If you win, there is no other feeling like it in the world. Completion invigorates you. You like contests and games because they produce a winner. You look for ways to have the inside track for winning. You compete to win. In time, some competitors avoid contests unless they feel they can win them.

_____ Connectedness: This personality believes in their soul that we are all connected.  You are willing to admit that we are individuals that are responsible for our actions and have free will but at the core, we are part of a larger whole. It can be called the collective unconscious, spirit or life force but there is a unity of mankind. Therefore, we have a responsibility not to harm others because we will be harming ourselves in the long run. We are often a bridge builder for people of different cultures or background. This trait believes there is a purpose beyond our humdrum lives.

______ Context: This personality focuses on the past believing that is where the answers can be found. You believe the present is unstable and confusing, so you like to go back to a simpler time. You understand people by where they grew up, what activities they were involved in, etc. You look for the underlying structure of things. You trust in learning from your mistakes and trying not to repeat them.

______ Deliberative: This trait is careful, vigilant and private. The world is full of risks, and you try to identify, assess and ultimately reduce your risk. This personality is fairly serious and approaches life with reserve. You choose friends cautiously and are often tight-lipped about your personal life. Life is a minefield, and therefore, you identify the dangers, weigh the impact, walk with care and make your choices deliberately.   

 

Continue with Part 4 in this series to read more definitions of personality strengths.

If you would like to research this subject more, try the books: Personality Types: Using the Enneagram for Self-Discovery by Ron Richard Riso and Russ Hudson, Personality Types by John-Nwankwo RN, MSN or Gifts Differing: Understanding Personality Type by Isabel Briggs Myers.

Some other articles written by this author are, Define your Values, Focus your Life!, Empower Yourself to Move Forward in Life…Starting Today; Empowerment and Priorities: Uncover your Top 5 By Vicki Langemo, LPC, MA. These can be found at www.supportivetalk.com