What Gifts Do You Give to the World?
This is a time of year when we think about gifts. But rather than packages, let’s think about people. What unique gifts does each person bring to our world?
This is a time of year when we think about gifts. But rather than packages, let’s think about people. What unique gifts does each person bring to our world? As an identical twin, I appreciate the uniqueness that we all bring. My twin brother and I share the same DNA but are pretty different.
For example, let’s look at our strengths according to the CliftonStrengths® methodology, which says there are 34 areas of talent. The key is to find your talent areas, develop them into strengths, and apply them to your work and goals. At our workplace, we’re helping our 1,300 employees do this.
But back to my wombmate, Matt:
Matt
Matt is high in Consistency®, meaning he’s driven to treat people equally. He favors procedures that everyone can follow, appreciates clear expectations and processes, and avoids surprises. On the upside, he is great at identifying inconsistencies, promoting fairness, and providing stability. On the downside, he can struggle with change, be too rigid with rules, and fail to make room for exceptions.
Matt and I may be twins, but Consistency is the last place for me. Yes, it’s #34 out of 34 on my CliftonStrengths report. Although I think I’m fair, I’m not driven to treat people equally. I wouldn’t say I like to standardize rules; I’d instead break them for a higher cause. Rather than equality, I’m driven for excellence.
Chris
I am high in Maximizer®, meaning I’m driven to foster excellence in people and groups. I have high standards for myself and others, seek innovation and improvement, and want to utilize areas of strength. On the upside, I can take projects to the next level, inspire others to achieve more, and help people to do what they do best. On the downside, I can struggle with perfectionism, wear people out with unnecessary improvements (my team is saying amen right now), and avoid working with people I don’t perceive as driven as I am.
Consistency and Maximizer aren’t opposites but are different ways of relating to the world. Matt is interested in sticking with the same to achieve equality; I’m interested in continuous improvement to achieve excellence. With these strengths, we bring different gifts to the world.
What gifts do the other strengths bring to the world? Below is a simple list.
Achiever®: Productivity
Activator®: Action
Adaptability®: Flexibility
Analytical®: Reason
Arranger®: Organization
Belief®: Integrity
Command®: Clarity
Communication®: Storytelling
Competition®: Victory
Connectedness®: Purpose
Consistency®: Fairness
Context®: Context
Deliberative®: Caution
Developer®: Progress
Discipline®: Structure
Empathy®: Care
Focus®: Priority
Futuristic®: Hope
Harmony®: Balance
Ideation®: Possibilities
Includer®: Acceptance
Individualization®: Dignity
Input®: Collection
Intellection®: Understanding
Learner®: Curiosity
Maximizer®: Excellence
Positivity®: Enthusiasm
Relator®: Authenticity
Responsibility®: Follow-through
Restorative™: Improvement
Self-Assurance®: Risk
Significance®: Legacy
Strategic®: Strategy
Woo®: Hospitality
If you've got a gift to bring, please bring it. We need what you have.
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