The Clifton Strengths StrengthsFinder is an online assessment that gives the user strengths that they have. There are 34 distinct strengths (linked here) that the StrengthsFinders distinguishes. The assessment identifies the 5 top strengths a user has, which they can use in a multiplicity of situations from their jobs to simple interactions with others. Below I list my strengths and how I have developed and used these strengths.
Restorative
Clifton Strengths states that a person who is restorative is "adept at dealing with problems. They are good at figuring out what is wrong and resolving it." Working as a writing and speaking tutor, I have to give students constructive feedback to help them fix their papers, which has allowed me to use and develop my restorative strength.
Harmony
Clifton Strengths believes that a person who has a strength of harmony looks "for consensus. They don’t enjoy conflict; rather, they seek areas of agreement." Throughout my studies at Agnes Scott College, I have worked in numerous group projects. When I am doing group projects, I try to make sure that we are all getting along; for example, if I notice a negative situation developing between group members, I will act as a mediator in order to keep things cordial.
Input
Clifton Strengths identifies people who are talented in input as having "a need to collect and archive. They may accumulate information, ideas, artifacts or even relationships." I am very adamant about keeping projects that I have worked on in the past, be they presentations or essays. I believe that one can always find a second use of the work they have done. For example, I used a paper that I wrote in my junior year of college as the basis for my senior thesis research.
Intellection
Clifton Strengths considers someone who has an aptitude for intellection to be "characterized by their intellectual activity. They are introspective and appreciate intellectual discussions." I deeply enjoy developing my intellection skills. One of the ways I do this is by continuing to read and have intellectual conversations with other college students and professors through the whole year, even when I am on winter or summer break. I like to make sure that I am always stimulating my brain.
Significance
Clifton Strengths recognizes people with significance as wanting "to make a big impact. They are independent and prioritize projects based on how much influence they will have on their organization or people around them." I have developed my significance strength over the course of my four years at Agnes Scott College by joining as many organizations as I could handle. I always want to make sure I am dedicating myself to the betterment of my community, which I believe can be done by being as involved as possible.
