As part of Work Therapy, we have to take a Talents/Strengths evaluation (StrengthsFinder)--a series of questions meant to determine your top five Strengths/Talents inherant to how you operate in the world--at work and otherwise.
Mine are, in order:
-Input
-Achiever (notice the lack of Over- or Under-)
-Learner
-Restorative
-Communication
The descriptions of each Talent seem to fit me, and the Achiever title isn't as obnoxious as one might think. A few lines of the in-depth descriptions really hit home:
"If you like to travel, it is because each new location offers novel artifacts and facts. These can be acquired and then stored away." (Input)
"You start each day at Zero. By the end of the day you must achieve something tangible to feel good about yourself" (Achiever)
"This Learner theme does not necessarily mean that you seek to become the subject matter expert, or that you are striving for the respect that accompanies a professional or academic credential. The outcome of the learning is less significant than the “getting there.” (Learner)
"But what is certain is that you enjoy bringing things back to life. It is a wonderful feeling to identify the undermining factor(s), eradicate them, and restore something to its true glory. Intuitively, you know that without your intervention, this thing—this machine, this technique, this person, this company—might have ceased to function. You fixed it, resuscitated it, rekindled its vitality. Phrasing it the way you might, you saved it." (Restorative)
"This is why people like to listen to you. Your word pictures pique their interest, sharpen their world, and inspire them to act." (Communication)
The first thing, the FIRST thing I said to my boss, during the INTERVIEW was "I don't want to be your manager. I will be your best salesperson, but don't reward me by promoting me to management where I will be ineffective and miserable".
Clearly, I didn't stick to my guns and here I am, three years later--ineffective and miserable. And it's so familiar--it's happened in every single job I've ever held. I hope, I pray, that Work Therapy gives me the strength to stand my ground and negotiate a position that lets me go back to what I do best--one without that dreadful title of Manager. (cringe)
Is there such a thing as 'Designer/Chief Problem Solver'?
Posted by katemikkelsen at June 2, 2008 08:23 PM | TrackBack