Do you know your top 5 strengths? My office decided that I needed to find out what top 5 things I do best. We are getting ready to go to a Staff Retreat and in preparation for this meeting we were given a book: Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath. In the back of the book is a one-time use code. We are to use this code when we get online to take a 30 minute test, and after answering each question we find out what our top 5 strengths are. I have to admit that I was pretty psyched about taking the test. This could be a pivotal moment in my life: I will finally know where my talents lie. There will be something on paper that states I am good at this or that.
I was so anxious to take the test, I went home and started reading the book and prepared to take the test. I sat down to the computer and worked my way through the links on the website to get to the test. The directions explained that I would have 20 seconds to answer each question. My immediate reaction was “What!” How can I possibly determine the answer to such important life questions in just 20 seconds? The author of the test wanted answers that were not over analyzed. He states in the book that usually the first answer that pops into your head is usually the right one anyway. Wow! So, all those years of not thinking twice about my affirmative response to, “Do you want ice cream?” were not wrong! Wish my hips were aware of this fact.
Despite my hips, I forged ahead on the test. It was easy. I answered each question quickly and honestly, and I experienced a definite excitement as I came to the end of the test. Let me tell you what my top 5 strengths say about me: I’m boring.
There are 34 possible themes/strengths and some of them are really cool. One theme is actually named “WOO”, which stands for winning others over. There are themes named Futuristic, Positivity, Maximizer (doesn’t that sound rather Terminator-like?), Strategic…I could go on but you get the idea. My strengths, starting with the #1 strength and working down to number 5, are Communication, Harmony, Consistency, Responsibility and Developer. Oh, please! I am even embarrassed to write them down. Could I be any more boring?
My only saving grace is that I didn’t pay for the book. The office paid for it. I am going to have to go to my office Staff Retreat and share this information with my co-workers. Well, at least I know I can communicate, that is number 1 on my list. God help me!
All very good traits and probably identify a very high emotional intelligence.