KNOWING YOUR STRENGTHS IS HALF THE BATTLE

As a soon-to-be college graduate, I have been faced with many professional development challenges. My classes in this final semester have prepared me with many resources that have encouraged me to think and act on my professional development. One of my favorite resources has been the Gallup Strengths Finder. Strengths Finder is an assessment that takes about thirty minutes to complete, and provides you with your top five strength-types, with descriptions and other resources about your strengths. The Strengths Finder was required for one of my classes, and cost $15 to take the assessment and receive your results. Had the Strengths Finder not been required, I definitely would not have spent the $15 just to take the assessment. However, after taking the assessment and learning my top five strengths, I have appreciated the Strengths Finder more than I ever thought I could. Personally, I struggle with self assessment and have trouble identifying my own strengths and weaknesses. For me Strengths Finder was an invaluable resource, and now I feel that it was well worth the $15 spent, maybe even more. My top five strengths were Relator, Discipline, Analytical, Futuristic, and Responsibility. Each strength comes with multiple strength descriptions, and an eighteen page action planning guide providing other ways that you can apply and develop your strengths in your own life, based around awareness, application, and achievement. Strengths Finder even continues to email you more resources relating to your strengths. For example, the other day I received and Action Planning Tool (different from the Action Planning Guide) which lists several ways to incorporate and further your strengths in your everyday life. For example, one of the action plans for my Relator strength says "Let it be known that you are more interested in the character and personality of others in their status or job title. This is one of your greatest talents and can serve as a model for others." Other action plans such as these are presented in a checklist format, so you can track your progress as you actively apply the action plans to your life. Even since just being made aware of my strengths, I have been able to further develop these strengths and become a better leader. Being aware of my strengths have brought those qualities out of me even more, which has been extremely beneficial for my professional development at work, in my internship, in school, and with everyday responsibilities. I highly recommend that anyone who can spare $15 take this assessment, the results have been invaluable to me!