The Clifton StrengthsFinder
Below are my top five themes of talent, ranked in the order revealed by my responses to the Clifton StrengthsFinder.
As you may know, the Clifton StrengthsFinder measures the presence of talent in 34 categories called "themes." These themes were determined by The Gallup Organization as those that most consistently predict outstanding performance. The greater the presence of a theme of talent within a person, the more likely that person is to spontaneously exhibit those talents in day-to-day behaviors.
Focusing on naturally powerful talents helps people use them as the foundation of strengths and enjoy personal, academic, and career success through consistent, near-perfect performance.
How well do you think these themes describe me?
Ideation
People who are especially talented in the Ideation theme are fascinated by ideas. They are able to find connections between seemingly disparate phenomena.
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.
Analytical
People who are especially talented in the Analytical theme search for reasons and causes. They have the ability to think about all the factors that might affect a situation.
Command
People who are especially talented in the Command theme have presence. They can take control of a situation and make decisions.
Achiever
People who are especially talented in the Achiever theme have a great deal of stamina and work hard. They take great satisfaction from being busy and productive.
Impact on My Leadership Style
As you can see from my StrengthsFinder, I am strongest in the areas of ideation and learning which helps me to not only be a visionary leader but one who is extremely concerned with creating a more learner-centered environment in both my preaching and my administration. At times, I have found myself teaching in the midst of a board meeting, because we have found the issue being discussed to be a learning moment.
But as you can see, I not only can take control of a situation, but I am also analytical which allows me to see the truth of a situation or discussion and find a more appropriate response or solution. So I am not only a decision-maker but as my last strength indicates, I am a hard worker.
Therefore while I love the world of ideas, I can be extremely pragmatic and hard working which I believe are good qualities for a leader.
My Myers-Briggs Assessment Profile
ESTJ - "Administrator". Much in touch with the external environment. Very responsible. Pillar of strength. 8.7% of total population. |
Every right-minded man has a philosophy of life, whether he knows it or not. Hidden away in his mind are certain governing principles, whether he formulates them in words or not, which govern his life. Surely his ideal ought to be to contribute all that he can, however little it may be, whether of money or service, to human progress.
--John D. Rockefeller, Random Reminiscences of Men and Events
ESTJs thrive on order and continuity. Being extraverted, their focus involves organization of people, which translates into supervision. While ENTJs enjoy organizing and mobilizing people according to their own theories and tactically based agendas, ESTJs are content to enforce "the rules," often dictated by tradition or handed down from a higher authority.
ESTJs are joiners. They seek out like-minded companions in clubs, civic groups, churches and other service organizations. The need for belonging is woven into the fiber of ESTJs. The family likewise is a central focus for ESTJs, and attendance at such events as weddings, funerals and family reunions is obligatory.
Tradition is important to the ESTJ. Holidays, birthdays and other annual celebrations are remembered and observed often religiously by this type. The ESTJ is inclined to seek out his roots, to trace the family heritage back to honored ancestors both for a sense of family respectability and for a sense of security and belonging.
Service, the tangible expression of responsibility, is another key focus for ESTJs. They love to provide and to receive good service. The ESTJ merchant who provides dependable service has done much to enhance her self image.
ESTJs have an acute sense for orthodoxy. Much of their evaluation of persons and activities reflects their strong sense of what is "normal" and what isn't. ESTJ humor is frequently centered around something or someone being off center or behaving abnormally.
ESTJs promote the work ethic. Power, position and prestige should be worked for and earned. Laziness is rarely viewed with ambivalence nor benevolence by this type.
Some men can make decisions and some cannot. Some men fret and delay under criticism. I used to have a saying1 that applies here, and I note that some people have picked it up.
--Harry S. Truman, Mr. Citizen
1"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."
The ESTJ is outspoken, a person of principles, which are readily expressed. The ESTJ is not afraid to stand up for what she believes is right even in the face of overwhelming odds. ESTJs are able to make the tough calls.
Occupations attracting ESTJs include teaching, coaching, banking, political office, and management at all levels.
Reflections on my Myers-Briggs Assessment
While there is much of my personality reflected in my Myers-Briggs assessment, in that I am a leader, an organizer, and an outspoken person of principles and am able to make tough calls, there are elements described here which make me wonder if I need to re-take this assessment. When I compare myself with ENTJ's I find that there is much that reflects me as well and in some ways more so than what I was assessed to be, ESTJ.
The description of ENTJ's as noted below by personalvaluation.com, in some ways seems to be a better reflection of me:
Reflections on my Myers-Briggs Assessment
While there is much of my personality reflected in my Myers-Briggs assessment, in that I am a leader, an organizer, and an outspoken person of principles and am able to make tough calls, there are elements described here which make me wonder if I need to re-take this assessment. When I compare myself with ENTJ's I find that there is much that reflects me as well and in some ways more so than what I was assessed to be, ESTJ.
The description of ENTJ's as noted below by personalvaluation.com, in some ways seems to be a better reflection of me:
Natural Leaders
While some types shun a leadership role, people with the ENTJs type chase it. They are drawn to the challenge of approaching a problem, producing a solution, and directing a team to implement that solution. They're able to make decisions quickly without faltering on the uncertainty that other people feel. This trait encourages others to gravitate toward ENTJs, willing to be directed.
One of their biggest strengths as leaders is found in their ability to understand and simplify complex issues. Their characteristic intuition allows them to analyze these issues in light of a larger scope, making them ideal corporate or military leaders. However, their instinctive aversion to emotion often prevents them from understanding the feelings of those whom they lead.
Potential Weaknesses
ENTJ types are often intimidating to other people. The traits that allow them to quickly analyze a problem, create a solution, and implement it quickly can often seem overly-assertive to others. Plus, their visible lack of patience for people who commit mistakes can make them seem unfriendly and standoffish. While it may be unnatural to them, ENTJs would do well to develop empathy for the feelings of others. Were they to do this, they might discover that such a balanced approach to other people can yield better results from their friends, family, and those they lead.
Concluding Thoughts:
As you can see from reading about strengths and weaknesses as a leader, I am like everyone else, quite complex. Like everyone else there are things I do really well and other areas in which God is continuing to grow me. If you are looking for a thoughtful, decisive leader who is not afraid to take bold and and visionary steps into the future, then you have found your man.
