Five Strengths

For the CliftonStrengths theme results, my top five were input, intellection, empathy, deliberative, and adaptability. At first glance, some of these surprised me, but upon really reading the descriptions, all five fit me. Even if not every description fit me one hundred percent, I could see myself in every trait. Although all five of those traits and their descriptions described me pretty well, there was one that stood out in comparison to my own personal description.

The strength theme that stood out to me most was input. The description claims that it I collect things- information and items, which I do both of. I have collections of quotes, snowglobes, stickers, and random facts that showcase that. The theme descriptions also states that “…yours is the type of mind that finds so many things interesting” (CliftonStrengths), which especially rings true for me. I can’t keep one collection of something going at a time, especially with physical things, because I will find something new that I become obsessed with. I have also always had a continuously growing collection of books that provide me with more information every day. Another part of the description that hit me hard was that I have trouble throwing things away. I realize that it most likely means information, but I never really can throw things away. I have drawers upon drawers that are filled to the brim with old birthday cards, pictures, and newspaper comic cutouts. I would like to attribute this to the subset of the trait of input, but it may just be me being messy leaning towards hoarding.

Of the five strengths identified in my report, I would most like others to see most of me in empathy. As a quiet person, I can’t always get what I mean across perfectly, but I can sense what others mean by their words and even actions by simple observation and good listening. If others could see the quality of empathy in me it would allow my fellow students to see that my contributions and work style lean more to the side of the quiet but always there to help side of things. In addition to this, having others be able to spot the theme and trait of empathy in me would allow them to see that although I might appear shy and maybe standoffish at first, underneath I am a very caring, selfless, and yes- empathetic person.