PERSONAL STRENGTHS: A REFLECTIVE ESSAY
IHM490A International Internship Preparation
PERSONAL STRENGTHS: A REFLECTIVE ESSAY
Introduction
Strenths Finder 2.0 is a powerful guide to personal discovery and development, with an encouraging message that people must focus on capitalizing on their strengths as against struggling to correct weaknesses, because focusing on strengths generates fast payoffs that in turn lead to hope, self-confidence and productivity. Rath (2009) argues that mending one’s weaknesses is not only slow and dispiriting, but it is also fraught with the most resistance. In this paper, I present the results from my 30-minute Strenths Finder survey in the context of my understanding of the main messages in Tom Rath’s groundbreaking book, Strengths Finder 2.0. Further, I have included my take on the lessons that I have taken away from this experience, and how I would like to apply them to my life, going forward.
Unique Strengths
The survey indicates that my five key themes include Learner, Discipline, Relator, Achiever and Responsibility. Effectively, a focus on these aspects should help me to build on my assets in the best possible way, while at once mitigating (or even ignoring) the frustrations that come with struggling with my weaknesses. As a talented Learner, the survey results imply that I am more interested in the process as against the outcome and that I stand out because I am lost likely to ignore distractions. I am particularly surprised by the confirmation of what I have always known myself to be, because I genuinely did not believe that other people realized that I had these qualities. This includes the fact that I am heavily driven by rational thought and need to gain a deeper understanding of the bigger picture.
As a Relator, my survey results point to the fact that I enjoy close relationships with other people, not only because these relationships benefit me, but also because they benefit my companions in equal measure. Similarly, Discipline comes through as one of my strongest themes, pointing to the possibility that I find routine and structure necessary in my life. In this regard, I specifically stand out because of my meticulous planning and execution of my plans, which ensure that I am likely to achieve my goals, but perhaps most crucially, I am more likely to achieve them most efficiently. Planning creates order and results in least frustration, and I find more peace in this as against operating in a crisis mode. To me, achieving great results and having a sense of accomplishment from it, gives me confidence and the energy to take on even harder challenges.
This is why I am pleased by the survey results showing that I am an Achiever, with an unusual tendency to be more engaged, intense and more involved than is normal.
Finally, I appear to have a strong sense of Responsibility, which means that I tend to take ownership of my own words and actions, with loyalty and honesty being among my most important guiding values.
Introduce My Strengths into Career
While I have always known that I am a good student and that I am most encouraged by success, my survey results have shown me more strengths that I did not initially identify as strengths at all. I have never thought of Discipline and a sense of Responsibility as strengths. I believe they are simply common courtesy and necessary for understanding. Further, I have never thought that other people find me relatable, although I find this to be very comforting since I intend to build a career in the hospitality industry. Perhaps most importantly, this exercise has helped me to manage my failings more appropriately by focusing more on my strengths, which I find helps to avoid the associated frustration that failure (or sense of inadequacy) causes. Specifically, as a practitioner in the tourism and hospitality industry, I find the fact that I am relatable, disciplined, honest and trustworthy very encouraging. These qualities are indispensable in earning the trust of my clients, and ultimately, ensuring that I give them the satisfaction that they pay for, and deserve.
Internship Preparation
Building a successful career is a lifelong learning undertaking and given my strength as a good Learner, I intend to ensure that I gain as much experience and skills as possible, in order to be productive and efficient in the future. In applying for an internship, I am keen to find a workplace that can encourage me to grow. I am keen to find an environment that focuses least on my weaknesses, and more on my strengths. According to Rath (2009, p. 4), managerial attitudes change the manner in which one engages at work. If managers ignore or focus on employees’ weaknesses, the employees are up to 40% and 22% more likely to be actively disengaged respectively. Effectively, I want a workplace that can utilize or build on my strengths. In this regard, I will not only look for an organization that has a reputation for a culture that values and builds its human capital, but perhaps most importantly, I will look for an organization that is relatively small so that I can play a more central role in the organization as against being a cog in the wider system.
Conclusion
I have been immensely enriched by knowledge from reading and taking the online survey, and even more, from the process of self-discovery. Of the 34 different strengths, my best strengths are Learner, Discipline, Relator, Achiever and Responsibility. I am particularly thrilled by my predisposition to learning as well as the fact that I am responsible and relatable. I am persuaded these strengths would be instrumental during my internships as well as throughout my career.
References
Rath, T. (2009). Strengths Finder 2.0. New York, NY: Gallup Press.
The Gallup Organization. (2014). Strengths Finder. Strengths Finder insight and action plan-planning guide. Retrieved September 28, 2014
