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  to gain deeper insight into those around you.              

Are you an…..

_____ Developer:  This personality is always looking for potential. This type knows all of us are a work in progress and alive with all kinds of possibilities. You are interested in helping others to be successful, so you challenge them, stretch them and help them grow. You are always looking for positive change even if it is small and this it ignites you. Others seek you out because they know your helpfulness is genuine and fulfilling to you.

_____ Discipline: You want your world to be predictable, ordered and planned, so you impose structure into your life. You can break tasks or goals into small steps and work at them diligently. Although you may not be neat and tidy: you are precise. Routines and structure help you to feel in control.  This sometimes makes others feel like you are controlling them. Therefore, it is important for you to understand that there are other ways of doing things and help others understand that your methods are directed to helping you feel calm and assured in this world.

_____ Empathy: This person can sense the emotions of those around them and feel them like they were their own. You can see the world through other’s eyes and share their perspectives. This doesn’t mean you necessarily feel pity, agree or condemn other’s feelings just that you understand them. You hear unvoiced questions, anticipate needs and can find the right way to handle them. Therefore, people are often drawn to you.

____ Fairness: Balance is the key. You treat each person the same no matter what the circumstance. You do not care for selfishness, individualism or unfair advantages. You believe that rules should be clear and applied equally and will guard against favoritism. The world should be predictable and even-handed, so each person has a chance to show their worth.

____ Focus: This personality needs a clear destination. Therefore, you set goals that serve as a compass to set priorities and to get you back on course. Your focus acts as a filter so you can evaluate each action as it will serve you to reach your goal. On the flip side, you are impatient with delays and obstacles. But it makes you a valuable team member. You work to keep everyone on point and encourage others to disregard any actions that do not lead to the goal.

____ Futuristic: This trait is fascinated by the future. Your imagination about what will come next keeps pulling you into tomorrow. The idea of a “better” life inspires you. You are a dreamer that sees visions of what could be. The present can often be frustrating, and people can be too pragmatic in your view. Therefore, you revert to your vision of the future, and it energizes you. But often your weaving of the future will inspire others, too.

Continue with Part 5 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