CliftonStrengths®: Communication® – The Storyteller

CliftonStrengths®: Communication® – The Storyteller

by | Feb 17, 2019 | Strengths

Gallup® define this theme as people who “find it easy to put their thoughts into words. They are good conversationalists and presenters.”

You’re a natural storyteller

Words are gold that you weave into captivating stories. It comes easily to you to craft and express yourself with words and you are on a constant hunt for the perfect phrase.

Powerful phrases and dramatic words are intriguing to you, and people are often captivated and listening to what you have to say.

You love to offer up a story to illustrate or answer a question that helps others understand things more easily.

You bring attention to messages that must stand out

Like crafting a headline that stands out so much that you can’t ignore it. Or writing a book, blogging, vlogging with captivating stories that engages others.

You express yourself easily and connect with words you tend to process out loud as you speak while bringing attention to messages that you feel need to be heard.

You’re vivid in your expression and often animated in your body language.

You love to talk

Sharing your message with people, whether as a presenter in front of a crowd or audience, a webinar or publication, is a natural expression for you.

You’re verbally expressive and connect with people through words, continually fine-tuning your stories and need an audience and sounding board to talk things through.

With your natural ability to connect with people through storytelling you’re able to take people on an engaging journey.

Stay connected to your audience

When you present, tap into your audience and see how they react to each segment and adjust as needed. Identify the parts that captivated the audience.

Help others express their ideas and feelings, get them talking and help them put their words into action in captivating ways.

Bringing up current events and weaving entertaining stories around them into conversations that engage people could be fun for you.

Words matter

Expressing yourself with the correct words that evoke the desired emotions is an art form.

Sharing stories that effectively communicate the punchline is something you have the ability to do.

Asking your audience questions, engaging them in sharing their stories and opinions can inspire action and open up the space for conversations that previously weren’t possible.

Words have the ability to move us and ultimately change the world. One word, one story at the time.

 

Do you have Communication® as one of your dominant talents? What is your favorite story to share? Please comment below, I’d love to know.

Are you curious what your talents might be? CLICK HERE for more information about the CliftonStrengths® Assessment or HERE for the BP10™ Assessment.
Lastly, visit Gallup’s YouTube channel for more information on the CliftonStrengths® theme of Communication® HERE.

CliftonStrengths®: Woo – The Social Networker

CliftonStrengths®: Woo – The Social Networker

by | Feb 10, 2019 | Strengths

Gallup® defines this theme as: “People exceptionally talented in the Woo theme love the challenge of meeting new people and winning them over. They derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection with someone.”

You promote

There are no strangers in the world of Woo’s and you work a crowd like no other. As a result, you have a big network of people in your roster from all walks of life.

You’re a natural promoter of anything that you’re interested in, network with ease and often have communication skills to match your charm.

Creating a game where you track the number of people you talk to each day or week could be fun and energizing for you as you need to interact with people daily.

Groups energize you

The size of the group can range from 30-300,000 or more. The crowds tend to energize you more than 1-on-1 yet for some, one person at the time could be just the strategy to spread the word.

Like a butterfly flying from flower to flower, you can be seen talking to most, if not all, in the room at a party, function or at your local grocery store.

People in the community often know you, of you, or recognize you. You tend to stand out.

You’re charismatic

You naturally charm small to large groups of people. Being on stage energizes you big time whether it’s speaking in front of a group, performing or hosting a webinar.

It’s important for you to engage in activities where there are people involved, you need them.

Creating a network with different people that you continually grow is important too. With your, often large network, you’re a natural connector that could function like a matchmaker and connect people, like an offline Facebook.

You’re outgoing and friendly

You have a need to be liked yet are also generous with your words and praise. Finding a balance is key.

Creating a game where you deliberately go out and engage with new people can be fun for you, using any tactic necessary to win them over, charm and questions being two of them.

For you, it’s more about impacting many and you’re fearless when it comes to connecting with new people and starting up conversations.

For you, there are no strangers, only friends you haven’t yet met. Use these talents to warm up the crowds and bring out the best in people.

 

Do you have Woo® as one of your dominant talents? What is your favorite conversation starter? Please comment below, I’d love to know.

Are you curious what your talents might be? CLICK HERE for more information about the CliftonStrengths® Assessment or HERE for the BP10™ Assessment.

Lastly, visit Gallup’s YouTube channel for more information on the CliftonStrengths® theme of Woo® HERE.

CliftonStrengths®: Connectedness® – The serendipity theme

CliftonStrengths®: Connectedness® – The serendipity theme

by | Feb 3, 2019 | Strengths

Serendipity

CliftonStrengths® defines this theme as having “faith in the links between all things. They believe there are few coincidences and that almost every event has a reason.”

There are no coincidences

The mysteries of life intrigue you and things happen for a reason.

You believe that we’re all one and connected. What we think and do, influence and impact the whole planet. You have the ability to connect what may appear as random events, thoughts, personal interactions and see value, purpose and a deeper meaning.

With that, you may weave a compelling story around how something came to be, whether it’s a gift that you received or how you found your home. Your awareness will create your value system while often being considerate, caring, and accepting.

You anticipate what’s coming

You’re tuned into the connections between the seen and unseen and have a curiosity to explore beyond time and space.

That nagging feeling in the pit of your stomach when something is off is often an energetic awareness of a missing link. Help others see that, share and fill in the blanks of what you’re aware of without it being “the answer”.

Like Strategic® you have the ability to zoom out and see the big picture and also the ripple effects of choices which may affect your choices. Ask open-ended questions to help guide others to your awareness of what those choices can create.

You bring calmness

Your sense of there being a bigger picture of what’s happening can calm others in the present moment. Trust that awareness.

This nonlinear theme is more of a spiritual or energetic theme, and with that, like faith, there’s no proof necessarily for what you know. Rather, you anticipate events.

You’re often calm when faced with unpredictable events and can offer an enhanced perspective when everyone around you is caught up in drama.

It’s all connected

You have a desire to be part of something bigger than yourself. Whether it’s your family, community, or workplace, you thrive on building bridges between all the different connections that you naturally sense.

Contributing to causes that are important to you is something you feel strongly about.

John Lennon’s “Imagine” comes to mind when I tap into this theme as it illustrates the whole world living as one. What do you imagine being possible?

“People come into your life for a reason, season or lifetime,”

While I’ve attributed that to my Adaptability® theme I can sense it fitting here too.

All themes are connected one way or another, at least from someone with the theme of Connectedness®. There are similarities and crossovers and you sense the connections between the 34 talent themes.

You can help people see the meaning in what they do and provide them with insights that can help in their daily challenges.

 

Do you have Connectedness® as one of your dominant talents? What ripple effects are you currently aware of? Please comment below, I’d love to know.

Are you curious what your talents might be? CLICK HERE for more information about the CliftonStrengths® Assessment or HERE for the BP10™ Assessment.

Lastly, visit Gallup’s YouTube channel for more information on the CliftonStrengths® theme of Connectedness® HERE.

CliftonStrengths®: Command® – No fluff required

CliftonStrengths®: Command® – No fluff required

by | Jan 27, 2019 | Strengths

You’re a straight shooter so this article is brief and to the point, a 2 minute read max.

You’re courageous

CliftonStrengths® defines this theme as having “presence”. You can “take control of a situation and make decisions.”

In your world, it’s important, to be honest, and realistic. You need things to be clear. You have no problem bringing people out of their comfort zone, in fact, you may push the envelope.

You bring decisiveness, are often direct and have the natural ability and desire to resolve conflicts. Avoidance is not an option. In fact, you’ll confront people if you have to, even if you have to stir up emotions in the process.

You don’t mess around

If people push you, you push back. You have no problem speaking your mind, including saying the things that most people are afraid to say out loud.

You’re driven, direct, and decisive. You bring emotional clarity and will take risks that may intimidate others.  

Because you’re a straight shooter people know where you stand even if it makes others uncomfortable.

You take charge

You’re willing to take charge, lead with ease and people follow you. While leadership is found in all of the talent themes, the theme of Command® is willing to go where others are not.

You have a protective nature and can unite people around a mission. Your charisma, natural take charge leadership skills and your willingness to speak up for other people will create loyalty.

This is my #15 theme and I have a deep appreciation for everything this theme brings. Having presence while being a no BS person who’s willing to speak up makes life easy, for you and people around you.

 

Do you have Command® as one of your dominant talents? What is your leadership style? Please comment below, I’d love to know.

Are you curious what your talents might be? CLICK HERE for more information about the CliftonStrengths® Assessment or HERE for the BP10™ Assessment.

Lastly, visit Gallup’s YouTube channel for more information on the CliftonStrengths® theme of Command® HERE.

Your story: 3 simple ways to finally create it.

Your story: 3 simple ways to finally create it.

by | Jan 20, 2019 | Business, General

When someone asks, “What’s your story?” You blank out. At least I did.

It had me twisted for years after excavating every cell of my body and still not being clear on the missing piece.

The problem was that I was focusing on the missing piece. I was trying hard to get clear.

My old story: I didn’t have one to tell.

And while knowing that we ALL have our unique story to tell I just couldn’t identify what mine was. And that’s part of the puzzle.

It’s so easy to get in your head about a question like that and make it more significant than it needs to be. I was trying to identify that last piece and just couldn’t. And then it hit me, just last month (no kidding):

 

If life is a story that you create why not create a story that fulfills all of your dreams and desires?

 

Think about this. You may already be doing this in every area of your life, and if so – congratulations! You focus on your dreams yet find they’re still no closer to being fulfilled today. Why is that?

Maybe you know that it’s all about your attitude and the energy attached to that energy. Then there’s what you believe in your conscious vs. subconscious mind… and that is where I identified the glitch.

Have you ever noticed the energy that hits you in the face when scrolling down the newsfeed on social media?

All the posts competing for your attention as you scroll down the newsfeed? Ads, opinions, puppy videos. It’s so easy to get caught up in other people’s realities and stories and then forget to ask yourself what story you wish to create for yourself.

Once that awareness hits, you still may have a story or two that limits your success that you can’t find the words for or act on. Perhaps you’re not building your business because you can’t figure out your story.

It’s so easy to go on autopilot even when you have good intentions. Some, like me, go with the flow and follow the energy and then there are structured plans and to do lists which works for some, and not for others. No matter what mix you need it starts with asking questions.

 

Here are 3 ideas to get unstuck:

#1 Shift your focus – the things you think about. Instead of focusing on the problem, focus on the end result. Easy right? When you feel great it’s a given, and when you don’t there may be a gap between what you know, how you feel, and taking action.

Ask yourself how you can serve YOU today before everyone else. What do you NEED to stay happy throughout the day? A workout? A chat with a buddy? A game of golf? Shoot hoops? Meditation? Some time with your partner?

 

#2 What IS the story you would like to create for your life? What are the successes you wish to achieve? Small or big? What would energize you to get up in the morning and honor you AND those around you to the best of your ability?

 

#3 What, if any, are the beliefs that are stopping you? Now, instead of focusing on the problems, simply write them down, identify the opposite belief and ask yourself, “how you can create more of that today?”

 

There are many tools and processes out there that can help, and many coaches that can help you with your specific needs depending on what that is. In sports it’s a given to have a coach, why not in business and life?

 

Here are some resources to explore:

Soar® – Here you can find CliftonStrengths® coaches and other coaches – your one-stop shop!

Gallup® Strengths Center – CliftonStrengths® – a shortcut to really get in tune with what’s important to you. The assessment identifies your hardwired perspectives and talents and with that, your needs.

One Command® – I found this simple process in recent months, it’s super easy to shift your mindset in a few minutes.

Access Consciousness® – The power of learning to ask questions, clearing whatever has you stuck and upping your awareness in the process.