We are all wired very differently. And we see the world through our own eyes. Thus, it is hard for each of us to get a feel for what we are missing. It is just out of our mental map! Obviously, we all kind of know others are different. But they should be able to see the world as we do? Shouldn’t they? It’s so frustrating when it seems they just don’t get it! Isn’t it? 😉
Thus, each of us is colorblind to some of the colors others see. But what are these colors we are missing? I like to use the Gallup Clifton Strenghfinder test as a mental map. I took the test a few times and I often use it with teams. It consists in a 30 minute questionnaire to discover which are your 5 strengths within a list of 34.
I used to miss the point and think the test was about knowing my strengths. Thus, I found it a bit deceptive: I more or less know my 5 strenghts. Don’t you? One day, I had an epiphany: the strengths you do have are not the point. The point is: what are the 29 strengths you do not have? And what blind color spots should you have others around you compensate for you?
- Strategic thinking: Analytical, Context, Futuristic, Ideation, Input, Intellection, Learner, Strategic
- Relationship building: Adaptability, Connectedness, Developer, Empathy, Harmony, Includer, Individualization, Positivity, Relator
- Influencing: Activator, Command, Communication, Competition, Maximizer, Self-Assurance, Significance, Woo
- Executing: Achiever, Arranger, Belief, Consistency, Deliberative, Discipline, Focus, Responsibility, Restorative
A bit more details about each strength in the list below. In the book you will find a full description.
| Strength | Description |
|---|---|
| Achiever | A relentless need for achievement. |
| Activator | “When can we start?” is a recurring question in your life. |
| Adaptability | You live in the moment. |
| Analytical | “Prove it. Show me why what you are claiming is true.” |
| Arranger | You are a conductor. |
| Belief | You have certain core values that are enduring. |
| Command | You take charge. |
| Communication | You like to explain, to describe, to host, to speak in public, or to write. |
| Competition | You have a need to outperform your peers. |
| Connectedness | You know that we are all connected. |
| Context | You look back to understand the present. |
| Deliberative | You identify, assess, and reduce risk. |
| Developer | You see the potential in others. |
| Discipline | Your world needs to be ordered and planned. |
| Empathy | You can sense the emotions of those around you. |
| Fairness | Balance is important to you. |
| Focus | Your goals are your compass. |
| Futuristic | “Wouldn’t it be great if …” The future fascinates you. |
| Harmony | You look for areas of agreement. |
| Ideation | You are fascinated by ideas. |
| Inclusiveness | “Stretch the circle wider.” You can to include people and make them feel like part of the group. |
| Individualization | You’re intrigued by the unique qualities of each person. |
| Input | You collection information – words, facts, books and quotations. |
| Intellection | You like to think. You like mental activity. |
| Learner | You love to learn. |
| Maximizer | Excellence, not average, is your measure. |
| Positivity | You are generous with praise, quick with smile, and always on the look out for the positive in the situation. |
| Relater | You derive a great deal of pleasure and strength from being around your close friends. |
| Responsibility | You take psychological ownership for anything you commit to, and you feel emotionally bound to follow it through to completion. |
| Restorative | You love to solve problems. |
| Self-assurance | You have faith in your strengths. |
| Significance | You want to be very significant in the eyes of other people. |
| Strategic | You create alternative ways to sort through the clutter and find the best route. |
| Woo | You win others over. |
For those who wonder, here are my 5 Clifton strengths.
Stratégique. Les personnes à dominante « Stratégique » prévoient plusieurs façons d’agir. Confrontées à n’importe quelle situation donnée, elles entrevoient rapidement les questions pertinentes.
Activateur. Les personnes à dominante « Activateur » sont capables de transformer leurs pensées en actions pour faire avancer les choses. Elles veulent agir maintenant et ne se contentent pas de parler.
Studieux. Les personnes à dominante « Studieux » possèdent une soif d’apprendre et veulent sans cesse s’améliorer. C’est le processus d’apprentissage, plutôt que le résultat, qui les motive tout particulièrement.
Autorité. Les personnes à dominante « Autorité » ont de la présence. Elles savent prendre le contrôle d’une situation et prendre des décisions.
Charisme. Les personnes à dominante « Charisme » aiment le défi de rencontrer de nouvelles personnes et de les rallier à leur cause. Ce qui leur plaît, c’est briser la glace et créer des liens avec une autre personne.
Où trouver le test ? Sur le site de Gallup bien sûr ! Il suffit d’acheter le livre. Il y a un code dedans pour le test en ligne. Le livre et le tests existent dans de nombreuses langues.
Curatus read 