StrengthsFinder roundtable.

Have you heard of the StrengthsFinder test? Unlike other "personality" tests, the Clifton StrengthsFinder test assesses 34 different areas of your life to provide a top five list of your natural talents and strengths. In the early 1950s, Donald Clifton found that, "The field of psychology was based almost entirely on the study of what is wrong with people. He wondered if it would be more important to study what is right with people."

A few e-mails have been circulating in our family these last few days about our own StrengthsFinder results. I think the outcome is incredibly fascinating! It's amazing to see similarities between parents and children, brothers and sisters...and especially the way these unique strengths complement one another. The results are below. I've also pulled one characteristic for each person and fleshed it out a little. And, at the bottom, I highlighted Empathy--because, strangely enough, four out of the five of us had this trait as a strength!

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Chuck/ Dad

• Responsibility
• Learner
• Arranger
• Intellection
• Input

Arranger
People strong in the Arranger theme can organize, but they also have a flexibility that complements this ability. They like to figure out how all of the pieces and resources can be arranged for maximum productivity.

Dabney/ Mom

• Harmony
• Belief
• Activator
• Empathy/Fairness
• Responsibility

Activator
People strong in the Activator theme can make things happen by turning thoughts into action.

 

Emily

• Restorative
• Harmony
• Developer
• Consistency
• Empathy

Consistency
People strong in the Consistency theme are keenly aware of the need to treat people the same. They try to treat everyone in the world with consistency by setting up clear rules and adhering to them.

Courtney

• Harmony
• Adaptability
• Developer
• Ideation
• Empathy

Developer

People strong in the Developer theme recognize and cultivate the potential in others. They spot the signs of each small improvement and derive satisfaction from these improvements.

 

 

Stephen

• Strategic
• Analytical
• Empathy
• Adaptability
• Ideation

Strategic
People strong in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.

EMPATHY

You can sense the emotions of those around you. You can feel what they are feeling as though their feelings are your own. Intuitively, you are able to see the world through their eyes and share their perspective. You do not necessarily agree with each person's perspective. You do not necessarily feel pity for each person's predicament- this would be sympathy, not Empathy. You do not necessarily condone the choices each person makes, but you do understand. This instinctive ability to understand is powerful. You hear the unvoiced questions. You anticipate the need. Where others grapple for words, you seem to find the right words and the right tone. You help people find the right phrases to express their feelings- to themselves as well as to others. You help them give voice to their emotional life. For all these reasons other people are drawn to you.