My Strengths

1) I'm relatable and am inclusive. I exude excitement, energy; passion. I'm inquisitive, analytical, introverted, scientific, independent, observant, precise, intellectual, intuitive, introspective, systematic, objective, and innovative. It attracts people to me. 2) I self-regulate my emotions. I'm adaptable and resilient. I have self-awareness. I'm restorative.I have self-direction. I exhibit connectedness, context, am deliberative, am a developer, am disciplined, have empathy, I take initiative-I focus on immediate results-the big picture. I'm theoretical, utilitarian, traditional, social, individualistic, and aesthetic. 3) I judge more than perceive. I encourage a blunt, yet tactful, direct approach. Small talk and beating around the bush makes me impatient. I need to go from idea to initiative. I'm self-assured. 4) I am an adept activator-am conscientious about creating and seeking opportunities to experiment considering ideation-all the options and enlisting help from associates. I execute and inspire innovation. 5) I contain variety, excitement and openness. I think and talk about my goals everyday. This creates momentum. Routine can sometimes stifle me. A crisis or two to share with action-oriented associates is my definition of a perfect day. 6) I allow for autonomy and private space. I think and perform better in a private space. 7) I'm motivated by these things-being theoretical, investigative, artistic, enterprising, and realistic. Expediency is a priority for finishing a project. 8) I am precise and concise in my design and carrying out of the plan to effectively manage the team. 9) I have a knack for engaging star performers 10) I own my choices. I prefer clarity to harmony. 11) I embrace the uncertainty and embrace change. 12) I remove self-created barriers to directing my thoughts in a positive manner. 13) I pursue my passion-not a paycheck. 14) I give up "Right-Fighting". 15) I avoid the "Taking Credit" trap 16) I live with urgency and purpose. 17) I'm committed to growing my vocabulary; honing my communication skills. 18) I'm committed to encouraging associates to start a learning journal and letting them see that I keep one myself. This will help keep me focused on what I want to do to learn and live the life of my dreams. 19) I use my communication skills to interpret ideas to others and create awareness-building conversations to discuss what effective performance looks like and sounds like. 20) By clearly identifying job benchmarks, I perceive victory, I conceive victory. 21) I resolve issues in the manner of not seeing conflict between constituents as a personality clash. 22) I can answer the questions about what the deeply held motivators and values exist with constituents and I tap into them. Here are my favorite Power Verbs: abate ablate absorb accentuate acclimate actualize actuate adapt adduce advise advocate affect affirm aggrandize alert alleviate allay amplify appertain approve ascertain assess assuage augur authenticate aver avow backcast bifurcate blaze burnish calibrate call the shots cherry-pick choreograph circumscribe circumvent cluster cogitate concentrate connote construe deduce deem define delimit demystify demarcate demonstrate detect determine diagnose distinguish dream enhance ennoble epitomize esteem exemplify experiment finesse gentrify hypothesize judge learn listen litigate monitor motivate perambulate permeate predict prepossess quantify reason refute search out segue sequester transcend transform understand validate venerate vent zero in zero out zoom through accommodate acquiesce adopt agglomerate anodyne appertain assemble assimilate assist cachinnate captivate choose coalesce comport condone conduct confabulate conflate congregate connect consort convoke coruscate cultivate decompress deescalate disseminate emanate embark embellish emblazon embrace emote engage engender enlist entreat extend facilitate fashion finagle flaunt fleer follow forbear forego forswear habituate influence institute integrate interject intermesh intersperse intervene leverage marvel mobilize mollify necessitate network orchestrate query reconcile rein in relate revivify scrutinize select strengthen stroke support sustain synchronize tout unify uplift verify vitalize wheedle winnow yield abridge accede accelerate accomplish achieve acquire actuate adjust administer advise align allocate allow analyze anticipate arrange assimilate attain augment authorize balance ballpark classify communicate conserve benchmark build campaign capitulate catapult champion channel collaborate conduct conform consider constitute coordinate create decide defer delegate deliberate delineate develop devise differentiate direct disburse drive effect embed empower enable encourage encroach energize establish exceed excel expedite expurgate forge formulate foster fulfill garner galvanize generate grapple gravitate impact increase implement initiate innerve invest invigorate jettison kick-start launch lead manage maneuver market marshal maximize measure mentor oversee partner persist plan produce publicize reinforce reintegrate schedule shape solve spearhead standardize take risks target team build teaming undertake undeterred unfetter wangle weigh in

Strategy and Goals

Value is what I use critical thinking for, to instill in others. I am so passionate when I talk about something, that people want to listen. I believe in focusing on the attributes that others like about themselves and then we all feel better about expending all of the energy. This makes me really good at setting a focus for people and then building a sense of team spirit as we all march forward. My enthusiasm is contagious. I have a way of lightening others' spirits, making them feel at ease. Otherwise, they could feel pressured. I inject drama into every project by using charisma and creativity to make the project more appealing and vital. Some cynics may reject my energy. It could be seen as a drawback, but I am rarely dragged down. My positivity won't allow it. I have a sense of humor, which I maintain. I love creating buzz! My emotional intelligence has a big payoff in my work field. My strength from being a relator means that I am comfortable with intimacy. I want to understand a comrade's feelings, goals, fears and dreams. I would like for them to understand mine, where possible. This makes collaboration between us profitable. This kind of closeness implies a certain amount of risk. I am the catalyst to relate. I feel compelled to go deeper and deeper while listening to my inner rudder. I have to be able to conquer emotional blind spots by uncovering them in myself and others. The risk in relating makes the process interesting. I have to develop my ability and hone my skills for establishing rapport. I will build a track record of integrity, directness, and fostering positive feedback once I've established rapport. I expect and anticipate receiving an appropriate, professional response. My blind spots to conquer are these: Q: How can I be assured that my intentions are not misinterpreted with people? A: I am concrete and realistic; very clear with myself about what I want. I ask the appropriate person who will have the answer to my questions. I set an example of adequate preparation, respecting rules and procedures. I strike a chord with others , allowing them to see the value that I place on the means justifying the end-doing the right thing regardless of the outcome. I will reinforce the idea that prioritizing principles over profits will enhance their value over time, which is paramount to my legacy as well as producing bottom-line results. My being restorative allows me to be energized by solving problems. I am an idealist. But, I am good at organizing and following through on projects. I enjoy bringing things back to life. Intuitively, I know that without my intervention, this project might have ceased to function. So, I feel a certain amount of responsibility to see the project through to the end. I have confidence in my judgment. Like the keel of a ship, my ability to form conclusions, make decisions and act withstands many different pressures and keep the team on course. My strategic sense helps me to see around the next corner. By asking-"What if?" I can select better choices and strike while the iron is hot-persuade while others are engaged with me. I remind myself that I need the strengths of others and I put them to work for me. My groups' members are a curious combination of warmth and reserve. I know what motivates others. I have a good handle on the cosmic drama around me. Others see me as patient, resolute, direct, creative, committed, stubborn and somewhat enigmatic. Associates will dismiss my special qualities if they are inconvenienced by my loose approach to areas that are important to them-feeling valued and meeting deadlines. Q: How can I be perceptive and eloquent in presenting my ideas? A: Instead of answering questions succinctly and informally, I need to expand my answers with more facts to define my brand. My quick thinking should help this. I need to be expedient about paying attention to the feelings of others. I listen only when my interest is engaged. I need to use patience to listen. My ability to focus on the present is a valuable asset, but I may be too short when handling future- oriented questions. I need to answer slowly and thoughtfully; then emphasize my talent for turning on a dime if things change. I make known that my agenda is to get through it. I don't reveal much to others until trust is established. I have deep insights into people and enjoy helping them to grow. I excel at understanding, being a keen and penetrating observer. I'm tactful-not complex but articulate. My work ethic is conscientious, goal-oriented, orderly, serious, hardworking and ambitious. I am decisive and often in a hurry, impatient with anyone who slows me down in achieving objectives. I have to work on the blind spot of being diplomatic when I'm in a hurry to finish a project. I'm gifted at predicting trends. This allows me to solve problems in new ways. I will use my superior verbal abilities. I demonstrate a mastery of effectiveness; getting the job done. Q: How do I form and nurture my networks? A: I need to work on the blind spot of maintaining my vigor. I get fatigued and cranky, working in open office settings or when my privacy is not respected. My interest in others is not so strong that I run the risk of not giving myself the important time alone to recharge. The people who irritate me most are superficial, rude, or invade my privacy. When angered, I become both critical and confrontational. However, in my older age, I handle these people better, using my superior verbal abilities to extricate myself from the web of their agendas. I realize and recognize that I am not obligated to help everyone who needs it. There is a direct link between values, acceptance and appreciation. By sharing my personal account of how I've dealt with certain losses, I will gain the contacts' trust. These identifiable losses-health, wealth, relationships- set me on a path for real growth where I learned to stand alone and gained the confidence needed to set my own goals. I gained and exhibited courage that something positive would evolve from the loss and it did. I can speak from personal experience about how I felt during those uncertain times and how I thrived instead of survived. Q: With whom do I form working bonds? A: I form bonds with fellow cohorts who operate by the same agenda. Their professional standards of conduct match my own. Their strategies consist of a pattern of evaluating, compliance, modifying, altering, adjusting, revising, assessing, and reviewing the plan; process. .Ideas are power. My goal is to accumulate, extract and attract incredibly valuable ideas. I form a bond with a person who I can enlist the support of. Q: How do I demonstrate that I sense the pleasure that someone feels in being able to respond to my questions? A: I continually and consistently work on defining what I want to know so that I can increase my ease and confidence in asking. I command respect because I'm not afraid to lose control in asking. I realize that many things work better due to team effort. I realize that everyone benefits from asking and giving help. Everyone is stronger for it. I am genuinely curious and interested and that takes the burden off of my focusing on my performance too much. I enjoy being informative and yet appreciate the sharing of ideas. I place a high premium on a person's values not being violated. If a person feels valued, they feel liked. If I am interested in what others have to say, they will see that I am supportive and affirming.

Different Career Fields and How I Would Harness Certain Skills for Them

Media Planner Involvement with the media draws on superior language skills, communication through graphic presentation, managing the corporate image. Arts/Communications/Computer/Promotion This career would require me to work on a unique set of potential work-related blind spots. I tone down my blind spot by focusing on it, and then choosing more productive actions and making them habits. I don't base important decisions on likes and dislikes but on facts, figures and research. I assemble facts and figures. I have outstanding people skills. I have rapport. My communication style and natural strengths allow me to: network widely. I impress with my verbal skills and confidence. I project my past experience into new fields and functions. I thoroughly check out the facts rather than rely on intuition. I invest in sufficient reflection. I don't take rejection personally. I'm accommodating to a certain extent. In following my natural style, I will express myself with warmth and passion. I think on my feet and respond quickly. I engage in active listening. Audiovisual Specialist or Stage Manager This career appeals to my need for excitement, freedom, use of technical expertise, creativity, use of verbal expression and unorthodox approaches.

My Skills

I attribute my skills to being prepared. I envince the typical polarity of the __________ personality-the ability to be earnest and irreverent, intense and funny, authoritative and vulnerable. I'm an intellectual who excels at portraying glitz. I need the opportunity to use my creativity and to impact the lives of others. I excel in verbal and written communications and am heavily represented among writers, TV anchors, and biographers. Whatever my work setting, I thrive when my uniqueness is recognized. Harmony and authenticity brings out my best. I defy established guidelines by finding ingenious ways to motivate kids. I use a pen to teach parts of the sentence and cookbook recipes to spark creativity. I form a powerful bond with my students and actually learn to enjoy my job. I prefer leading small, creative organizations that downplay hierarchy and rules and promote originality and fun. My highly developed marketing abilities make me a top choice for creating lasting product brands. My people skills calm turbulent teams and departments in record time. Staff turnover is staunched by putting me in charge. Productivity spikes when I'm in charge of a team. My specific profile> I've discovered my most natural path to professional satisfaction and success. I recharge my batteries by being with others, in addition to being alone. I am compassionate, persuasive, loyal, and have a talent for predicting future trends. Me Overall I am outgoing, sociable, warm, and articulate. I'm a gifted communicator with an unusual ability to influence. Those I admire receive my deep loyalty. In return, I expect equal appreciation. This sometimes leads to frustration and disappointment. I have an abundance of innate "emotional intelligence" and interact well with most Color types. I operate best in harmonious groups. Driven by intuition? I have and use foresight and compassion; excel at leading others to achieve their potential. I am exceptionally skilled at projecting the trends and pitfalls of the future. People who are rude or bully others are a major irritant. I respond well to praise, and am not easily hurt by criticism. Because of this, I am not seen as being touchy; well-intentioned or otherwise criticism does not fluster me. Actual conflict does not disturb me. I stand up to rude bullies, with steely strength. I am enthusiastic, with the energy to work on several projects at once. Decisive and often in a hurry, I can be more than a little impatient with anyone who slows me down. It is my nature to be supportive. But I can be both critical and confrontational when my standards are not being met. My interest in others is strong. But I don't run the risk of not giving enough time to myself. In both personal and professional relationships. I make others feel valued and liked. A people-centered, idealistic vision drives my enthusiastic style. I respect the needs and opinions of _______at all levels, influencing with persuasion rather than control. Consensus and cooperation are my goals. I provide my people sensitive and appropriate through personal difficulties. My ___________side as a leader needs to introduce structure and organization and initiate action. I am usually upbeat, accepting setbacks as new challenges rather than defeats. As a team player- if a team is stalled by interpersonal conflict, I am the bridge builder. Others understand I merely stated objectives. Rather than being dictatorial, I energize the team with enthusiasm and a warm sense of humor. I inspire former combatants to their best combined efforts. As focused and results-oriented as I will become, it's rare that my team will miss a deadline. Ideal Work Environment A list of my work-related strengths I gravitate to environments where I have control of products or services that contribute in some way to the well-being of society. these are key elements of my ________satisfaction. When a job offer is made, I leverage as much as I can from the ____________. Natural Work-Related Strengths I: 1) excite others with high-quality ideas and enthusiasm. 2) organize people and resources. 3) build morale, loyalty, and productivity. 4) mentor others well, exponentially, increasing my value to the firm; company. 5) create harmonious teams; turn around troubled departments. 6) think creatively; see future trends. 7) communicate in memorable ways, using colorful words and graphics. Productivity and accomplishment are not stunted, and career achievements are not an uphill climb. I easily understand the big picture. I'm known for my facilitation skills. I have deep, personal values and care about the needs of others and value organization. A career that draws on the strengths of my style and appeals to ___________underlying patterns of preference. I'm energized by outside schooling. A _______integrating the elements is fertile soil for my career advancement. I'm insightful. I deliver on commitments. I share the same values of improving the world. 5) 5)

My World

The Blue Department You now stand facing a stark blue door. It gives the impression you are about to embark on an interstellar journey. This notion builds as your forefinger is requested for a fingerprint ID and your right eye for a retinal scan. Your magnetic-striped visitors' pass now seems quaint and unnecessary. The door suddenly opens in four different directions to create an entry port. The receptionist is wearing a plain but well-made blue suit. His jacket is off and the sleeves of his white shirt are rolled up. His demeanor is that of a college professor-serious, distracted, attempting to be helpful while multitasking. Digital images flash around the reception area walls. Several feeds of science and history channels run across several video skins. There is an antiseptic smell in the air that reminds one of a laboratory. One full wall is devoted to highly technical, leather-bound reference materials. While your Blue Department tour is open-ended in terms of time, the receptionist instructs you to "keep simplistic and obious questions to a minimum "when talking to employees, "so as not to disturb those in strategic or problem-solving modes." Above their bulletin board is a slogan that says "Pushing the Boundaries". Thinking you are about to encounter characters like Data in Star Trek, you are surprised to see a man in a silk tie of muted colors. He introduces himself as Head of Product Trend Research. He pulls you into a meeting held in an open "Brainstorming Room" and the group there asks you several questions to be answered "from the viewpoint of an average person." Each answer you give elicits intense and pointed debate among the brainstormers. As they refer to you in the third person, you feel a bit bewildered; they don't even notice as you slip back out into the corridor to continue your tour. Some cubicles are crowded with piles of research materials. Some are neat; some are not. Everyone seems to be pushing his or her intellects to the limit to prove some point. Scientific and high-tech jokes and puns elicit short barks of laughter. Mostly, employees' eyes glitter from the stimulation of new and far-reaching concepts. You find it odd that half the employees are dressed in expensive designer outfits while the other half look quite academic and understated; most all suit jackets hang off the backs of chairs. The conference room is as high as tech as the reception area. A large screen for video conferencing and computer presentations dominates one end of the room; laptop computers, all wired into the middle of the table, are available at each seat. The seats seem to be experiments in ergonomics, with fantastic shapes and very lightweight materials. You are startled to see Nobel Prizes displayed here; you've never seen one before. You walk out into the corridor, past more cubicles. One reveals a man with an intensely knitted brow, staring up at the ceiling, fingers touching in a pyramid on his desk. An empty piece of paper and a pencil await. As you pass, he springs to life, frantically recording ideas that seem to be coming all too fast. His function reads Strategic Planning. Other departments you see are research, long-term marketing, computer programming, analytics, science lab, or abstract reasoning. You are left with the impression that when Prism Company needs a new idea, research, or long-term strategy, they are in excellent hands here. But unless you are intellectually quick, this department is an intimidating place to be. You fingerprint and retinal scan yourself out of the Blue Department. It has taken an hour to complete your tour here.

Color-coded primary style

I have determined my primary style. I've color-coded myself as being Red/Blue. Red-27% of the population Action-oriented, spontaneous, and focused on "now", Reds need freedom to follow their impulses, which they trust over the judgment of others. Cool-headed and ever courageous, they get things done and handle a crisis better than most. Found in careers that provide freedom, action, variety, and the unexpected, they bring excitement and a sense of expediency. Work must be fun and the environment collegiate. Reds resist schedules and hierarchies. Long-term planning is a low priority as each day brings its own agenda. At least 51% of the time I tend to be more: 1) frank and direct or tactful and diplomatic 2) skeptical at first or accepting at first 3) unemotional or emotional 4) analytical or empathetic 5) apt to meet conflict head on or apt to avoid conflict where possible 6) principled or sympathetic 7) objective when criticized or apt to take things personally 8) impartial or compassionate 9) competitive or supportive Blue-10% of the population Theoretical, concise, competitive, and always driven to acquire more knowledge and competence. Blues are unequaled when it comes to dealing with complex, theoretical issues and designing new systems. As natural skeptics, their first reaction is to criticize and set their benchmarks against which they measure everyone and everything. They are highly precise in thought and language and future oriented , trusting only logic, not the rules or procedures of the past. Blues are visionary and do best in positions requiring strategic thinking. Then they move on with little interest in maintenance. At least 51% of the time I tend to: 1) I like to talk or prefer to listen. 2) become bored when alone too much or need time alone to recharge batteries. 3) speak first-then reflect or reflect first-then speak 4) be more interactive and energetic 5) know a little about many topics or know a few topics in depth 6) initiate conversation at social gatherings or wait to be approached at social gatherings I draw energy from my own inner resources. Eventhough I like being with people, interacting too much can drain my energy. I can be mild and pronounced in these dimensions. (Relationships between the two are often tense until these dimensions are understood. I am Red/Blue when not pressured by family, friends, or work life. An example of what others might categorize as a "weakness" actually being my strength-[the ability to operate effectively in chaotic conditions]. My preference for amessy workplace and last-minute deadline rushes.

Career Journal (1)

“Career Match” by Shoya Zichy with Ann Bidou www.amacombooks.org At least 51% of the time I tend to: 1) Value accuracy more or value insights more 2) Be interested in concrete issues or be interested in abstract ideas 3) Prefer people who speak plainly or prefer unusual ways of expression 4) Remember many details or be vague about details 5) Be down to earth or be complex 6) Focus on the present or focus on future possibilities 7) Be valued for my common sense or be valued for seeing new trends 8) Be realistic and pragmatic or be theoretical and imaginative 9) Be trusting of the facts or be trusting of my intuition At least 51% of the time I tend to: 1) Meet deadlines early or meet deadlines at the last minute 2) Make detailed plans before I start or handle problems as they arise 3) Be punctual and sometimes early or be leisurely sometimes late 4) Like to be scheduled or prefer to be spontaneous 5) Like clear guidelines or like flexibility 6) Feel settled or often feel restless 7) Have a tidy workplace or have a workplace with many piled/papers 8) Be deliberate or be carefree 9) Like to make plans or like to wait and see