Strengths.

The Strong Man, originally uploaded by torsennancy.

For much too long, I have been thinking about taking the StrengthsFinder 2.0 test. Heather first recommended it to me over 2 years ago. She mentioned it to the students when she came and spoke at the school. I've discussed it and had it reinforced by a fabulous career coach in the class. I have told students how important it is to focus on strengths because:

a) We have been a part of an education system which highlights our weaknesses and asks us to spend EXTRA time on them, but then excitedly announces "You are good at this, so you'll breeze right through it." This realization first hit me in the frequently-mentioned Ken Robinson TED talk and discussions with Charlie about Imagine Learning. Therefore, I find many students haven't flexed their strengths as much as I'd expected. CHANGE OF FOCUS TO USING STRENGTHS RATHER THAN CORRECTING WEAKNESSES.

b) Personal strengths seem to be something that people have an awareness of, but can't quite grasp how to articulate them. In fact the StrengthsFinder test is a self-evaluation, so it reinforces the idea of being self-aware. However, I am shocked how many times I ask young people about their strengths and it is suddenly obvious that they are looking at a mist trying to figure out how to take a hold of it. ARTICULATION OF STRENGTHS.

c) Another problem I think people have with their strengths is not only an articulation of the simple talents, but the necessary understanding of how to combine your skills into an expression of unique, applicable talents. This is something I suffered early in my career. I could discuss my passion, my curiosity, my ability to present, my quick wit, but I never figured on applying any Symphonic Thinking (as Dan Pink so brilliantly discusses in Whole New Mind) to my strengths. How do I combine and apply these skills to become one-of-a-kind? I never thought to discuss my skills in this fashion. SYMPHONIC THINKING ABOUT TALENTS.

Anyway, I finally got the book and took the test. [Quick side-note: All Academy of Art University "planning students," if by Thursday, February the 12th at 4pm you get me $10, I'll happily invest the $3.17 into your strengths focus, realization and articulation. And also bulk order the book for free shipping. Get the money to me or Dana/Varsha in the office. Make sure you leave your name with the money.]

The test determined my strengths to be:

Learner
People who are especially talented 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.

Maximizer
People who are especially talented in the Maximizer theme focus on strengths as a way to stimulate personal and group excellence. They seek to transform something strong into something superb.

Positivity
People who are especially talented in the Positivity theme have an enthusiasm that is contagious. They are upbeat and can get others excited about what they are going to do.

Activator
People who are especially talented in the Activator theme can make things happen by turning thoughts into action. They are often impatient.

Input
People who are especially talented in the Input theme have a craving to know more. Often they like to collect and archive all kinds of information.

It's funny, because it seems like such absurd personal lauding, but it is by definition the things we excel at doing, our best attributes which we need to focus on more regularly. It is not like you are going to get something returned from the test that is bad. Not to mention, I assume that the fact that these things are strengths of mine also impacts my impression of them. I probably hold these things in relatively high esteem, because they are things which I value due to my advantage. Not to say I am not AMAZED by people who have strengths in my lacking areas (piano-players and masters of foreign languages - I tip my hat); I just naturally gravitate towards understanding the application of my own strengths.

Another point about the Focusing on Strengths idea that I love, is the whole idea that rather than learning to fix weaknesses, you learn to acknowledge "gaps." Because you are focused on strengths, there are things which will lose priority. So, you discover ways to again use your strengths to fill in those gaps. What a remarkable idea. For instance, Mary, my impatience is because of my Activator strength! ;)

For those who are curious, yes they have one for children 10-14.