Learner
"People with strong Learner talents constantly strive to learn and improve. The process of learning is just as important to them as the knowledge they gain. The steady and deliberate journey from ignorance to competence energizes Learners. The thrill of learning new facts, beginning a new subject and mastering an important skill excites people with dominant Learner talents. Learning builds these people’s confidence. Having Learner as a dominant theme does not necessarily motivate someone to become a subject-matter expert or strive for the respect that accompanies earning a professional or academic credential. The outcome of learning is less significant than the “getting there” (CliftonStrengths).
I enjoy learning new concepts all the time. I love learning new skills and taking on challenges. For instance, my partner and I love country swing and we always challenge ourselves to learn new tricks and dance moves. This characteristic can also be seen in my work in higher education. I am a great active listener because I am constantly looking to learn more about the students that I work with to be able to help them out the best that I can. I'm also keen to learn new technologies at the office. I will continue to teach myself a software or a technology until I understand how it works from top to bottom.
I enjoy learning new concepts all the time. I love learning new skills and taking on challenges. For instance, my partner and I love country swing and we always challenge ourselves to learn new tricks and dance moves. This characteristic can also be seen in my work in higher education. I am a great active listener because I am constantly looking to learn more about the students that I work with to be able to help them out the best that I can. I'm also keen to learn new technologies at the office. I will continue to teach myself a software or a technology until I understand how it works from top to bottom.
Harmony
"People with strong Harmony talents want peace and try to bring others together. In their view, little is gained from conflict and friction, so they seek to hold these to a minimum. Those with strong Harmony talents see what people have in common, even during conflict. They try to steer others away from confrontation and toward reconciliation. In fact, Harmony is one of their guiding values. They seek to help individuals, families and organizations work together. When others argue, they steer clear of the debate, preferring to talk about practical, down-to-earth matters that everyone can agree on" (CliftonStrengths).
I tend to gravitate to harmonious people and non-stressful atmospheres. As a result, I do consider a positive and harmonious office atmosphere to be important. If I witness an argument or dispute between two people, I try to understand both points of view because there are always two sides to a story. I try to stay unbiased as I can during situations like this. I am down-to-earth and feel my best when I have a positive relationship with everyone around me. Even though I do not agree with someone, I feel that it is in my best interest to agree to disagree and understand that someone's viewpoint does not determine their character.
I tend to gravitate to harmonious people and non-stressful atmospheres. As a result, I do consider a positive and harmonious office atmosphere to be important. If I witness an argument or dispute between two people, I try to understand both points of view because there are always two sides to a story. I try to stay unbiased as I can during situations like this. I am down-to-earth and feel my best when I have a positive relationship with everyone around me. Even though I do not agree with someone, I feel that it is in my best interest to agree to disagree and understand that someone's viewpoint does not determine their character.
Input
"People with strong Input talents are inquisitive and always want to know more. They crave information. They might collect ideas, books, memorabilia, quotations or facts. Whatever they collect, they do so because it interests them. They find many things interesting and have a natural curiosity. The world is exciting precisely because of its infinite variety and complexity. A few minutes spent surfing the internet may turn into hours once their curiosity takes off. They constantly acquire, compile and file things away. Their pursuits keep their minds fresh. They know that one day the information or things they’ve gathered will prove valuable" (CliftonStrengths).
I crave information and one of my pastimes is reading. I read both fiction and non-fiction. I feel like it is important to learn about life vicariously through the perspectives of others. I read from the time I wake up to the time I go to sleep. I think it's important to be aware of current events and to use that knowledge to counsel students as higher education professionals. Being aware how politics and the news impacts us on a daily basis is important for our careers and future endeavors and as a career counselor, we must be knowledgeable about this.
I crave information and one of my pastimes is reading. I read both fiction and non-fiction. I feel like it is important to learn about life vicariously through the perspectives of others. I read from the time I wake up to the time I go to sleep. I think it's important to be aware of current events and to use that knowledge to counsel students as higher education professionals. Being aware how politics and the news impacts us on a daily basis is important for our careers and future endeavors and as a career counselor, we must be knowledgeable about this.
Context
"Perspective and background are important for people with strong Context talents. They value the retrospective viewpoint because they believe that is where the answers lie. They look back to understand the present. From the past, they can discern blueprints for the future. People with dominant Context talents might feel disoriented when they can’t see patterns stemming from prior events. Others may become impatient with them as they strive to understand the history of a given situation. But this historical context gives them confidence in their decisions" (CliftonStrengths).
I think it is important to learn the negative consequences of historical events so that we are not doomed to repeat them. It means staying informed about what is happening in the world today and making daily decisions that create a positive outcome for as many people as possible. I feel like in higher education, history engulfs institutions and we need to be aware of the history of the institution that we work to help us promote positive change upon our students.
I think it is important to learn the negative consequences of historical events so that we are not doomed to repeat them. It means staying informed about what is happening in the world today and making daily decisions that create a positive outcome for as many people as possible. I feel like in higher education, history engulfs institutions and we need to be aware of the history of the institution that we work to help us promote positive change upon our students.
Positivity
"People with strong Positivity talents are generous with praise, quick to smile and always on the lookout for the upside of the situation. They always seem to find a way to lighten the spirits of those around them. They are optimistic, hopeful and fun-loving. They celebrate every achievement. They find ways to make everything more exciting and dynamic" (CliftonStrengths).
One of my 'love language' traits is words of affirmation. This affects my daily positivity. My sense is that we always try to do our best, and positive affirmation is part of what motivates us to continue to do the best work we can. When I give critical feedback to students, I also try to provide a positive affirmation for the hard work they have done. We are always growing and we should be assured that this hard work is recognized.
One of my 'love language' traits is words of affirmation. This affects my daily positivity. My sense is that we always try to do our best, and positive affirmation is part of what motivates us to continue to do the best work we can. When I give critical feedback to students, I also try to provide a positive affirmation for the hard work they have done. We are always growing and we should be assured that this hard work is recognized.
