The following is an overview of my CliftonStrengths assessment. It is one of several professional and personal development assessments (e.g., DISC, Myers-Briggs, 360 Feedback, etc.) administered throughout my career. Thanks to Lon Fuentes for his insight.
Fun fact: As a federal government employee, there were - and I imagine still are - many training and development programs afforded to individuals and teams. More over here.). The objectives and intentions included looking at, for example, one’s style of (and for) leadership, communications, and growth.
Gerber daisy image with quote, “When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” ~ Audre Lorde
SPOILERS
BELIEF. The throughline that weaves together how I can understand and navigate my lived experiences is Belief, 7 among my 34 strengths.
Belief - “People exceptionally talented in the Belief theme have certain core values that are unchanging. Out of these values emerges a defined purpose for their lives.”
My #1: Achiever - “People exceptionally talented in the Achiever theme work hard and possess a great deal of stamina. They take immense satisfaction in being busy and productive.”
My #34: Harmony - “People exceptionally talented in the Harmony theme look for consensus. They don't enjoy conflict; rather, they seek areas of agreement.”
Throughout my 30+ years of work experience, employers have provided various self-assessments and training under the guise of professional development, team building, and leadership training. Off the top of my head, training has included DISC profile, crucial conversations, 7 Habits, conflict resolution, 360-degree feedback, MBTI (Myers-Briggs), and VIA. I also have sought other personal development training including servant leadership and improv.
After I left the U.S. EPA (for the second time) in April 2014, I re-established my environmental and energy consulting practice. I sought opportunities to continue my personal and professional development.
In September 2020, seasoned Executive Coach Marlon “Lon” Fuentes not only provided his signature Personal Talent Management (PTM) services but also helped frame my 34 CliftonStrengths and VIA Character Strengths into the context of my lived experiences.
Lon’s perspective is that while there is value in understanding one’s strengths, there is added value in understanding one’s composition, sequencing, and breadth of strengths, especially as part of engaging in situational awareness. This piqued my interest.
my Top 5 CLIFTON STRENGTHS
In September 2020, I completed the CliftonStrengths 34, which “… reveals your complete talent DNA and helps you understand how to use it to succeed no matter your CliftonStrengths profile.” as described more over here. My results —
— with the remaining 5 (in order) to round out my top 10: Activator, Belief, Learner, Communication, Intellection.
My top 5 are in three of the four domains: strategic thinking (green), executing (purple), relationship building (blue). Strengths from the fourth domain of influencing (orange) show up in the top 10.
ENTER: MARLON “LON” FUENTES, EXECUTIVE COACH
Lon’s brief includes —
Artist (film/photography). Creativity Development Strategist. Art+Life Synthesis. Clifton Strengths expert. Executive Coach.
— for which he clearly applies his creativity development strategist experience as part of his personal talent management assessment.
Not only did Lon explain each of the strengths for personal and professional development but also how I can apply them in my business development and growth and also use my creative expression skills of improv. I better understand the importance of how my belief strength has shaped and continues to shape my interests, reactions, and interactions throughout my lived experiences.
Lon’s focus and intensity during his PTM assessment are nicely complemented by his succinct and colorful metaphors. His keen ability to assess and communicate the interplay of my strengths has increased my confidence, focus, and excitement for pursuing various business development endeavors. I have more clarity of my currency and unique value proposition.
Most importantly, from Lon’s coaching, I understand my bottom drawer strengths are not weaknesses. That said, by applying my tiny habits expertise toward building my strengths capacity, I more deliberately practice pairing my belief (and other top 10 strengths) with my other strengths (e.g., competition, consistency, restorative, includer, harmony).
