When I began my job, I was asked to take the StrenghtsQuest assessment. Unlike typical personality and interest inventories that I've always felt were used to label me in some way, this assessments a positive way of indicating what my strengths are so I can build on them to achieve and grow. There are 34 strengths, and they include things like Command, Developer, and Achiever. It's been interesting to see how much insight my colleagues have gained about themselves.
My greatest strength is connectedness. I see everything and everyone in terms of how they relate to each other. My goal is always unity and understanding how we all fit together as part of a greater whole. I've always known this about myself, although I never considered it a strength. (Interestingly, several of the nuns have the same top strength.)
If I had a theme song, it would probably be "Blessed Be the Tie that Binds." It is a huge part of why I love Facebook, and it is related to why I always want to know everyone's business. I am a bridge builder.
Knowing this in terms of a strength has helped me understand why I was so caught up in "the Wisconsin troubles" this year. It wasn't just because of the things Walker and the Fitzgerald brothers tried to take away. My biggest issues were the divisive ways they went about doing things and the divisiveness and contention that has resulted.
(On a side note, this is also why I've been so upset about a situation at my former workplace. My former co-workers are facing an extremely difficult situation with another co-worker with a serious mental illness. They are upset, and I am distressed to not be with these people I care about.)
Just as connectedness is my greatest strength, disconnectedness is what provokes the greatest agitation in me. My role cannot be to go out and confront. It puts me at a
disadvantage.
The coming months will again be very contentious. I need to think through how I can contribute--not just as another body in the struggle but as a person who uses what she does well naturally to make a difference.
P.S. I wrote this whole blog entry on my phone.
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1 comment:
Building connections can be a huge strength - politically as well as personally. When you reach out and listen to other people, they may just listen to you. You may not always reach consensus on everything, but you might move someone to see something in a new way. I really admire this strength of yours, because it isn't always one of my own.
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