What are your five greatest strengths?

Socrates is famous for saying "know thyself" and "to know thyself is the beginning of wisdom."

Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash

One of the first things I ask my new coaching clients to do (if they haven’t done so already) is to take the CliftonStrengths assessment and discover their five strengths. I also love the Enneagram, a basic personality assessment with nine types. You self select your type, which does not change over time. The Kolbe A Index measures your instinctive way of doing things and the result is called your MO (method of operation).

I believe we’re all here on earth to become self-realized.

According to Carl Jung, self-realization also known as individuation, is a developmental process that involves discovering and fulfilling one's individual potential.

Jung believed the purpose of life is to find meaning and purpose and that each person has a unique path to follow. He believed that self-realization is a lifelong process that involves integrating the unconscious into the conscious and that it occurs naturally as we grow older.

Knowing how you operate in the world is important.

For example, my Kolbe A Index shows that I’m a 9 out of a 10 (highest) as a QuickStart. My next highest score is Fact Finder. I hired a team of implementers and follow-through people to work in my PR business. It was the best team ever.

A high QuickStart score indicates you are a natural risk-taker, quick thinker, and innovator who thrives on uncertainty. They are often fearless in trying out new ideas, even under pressure. Yep, that’s me!

My favorite strength from the CliftonStrengths is WOO - win others over.

This is a strength my mastermind leader in 2015 felt I wasn’t taking advantage of - the relationships I’ve cultivated. It’s true that it’s my super power I hadn’t tapped before but it’s never too late!

WOO’s love the challenge of meeting new people and winning them over. They derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection with someone.

As a leader, a WOO is charismatic and their warm nature is magnetic. They can bring people together to make a collaborative environment. This makes it easier for people to share ideas and work together.

WOO’s find it fun and engaging to be in a sales role. WOO doesn’t find it hard to hear ‘no.’ I can say that for me that’s true.

If you have WOO as a strength, you have the opportunity to build bridges and to make people feel welcome.

I’d love to know your top five strengths and which one(s) are your favorite?

Are there any other personality assessments you’ve done? Meyer’s Briggs?

Let me hear from you and of course, please "heart” this article if you liked it or share with others. Sending you love this week.

Sherold