NOW I KNOW MY STRENGTHS

A few blogs back I mentioned a book and survey I was supposed to take for work. Well I was a good do-bee and took the survey. I couldn't get through the book-too dry of a read. Maybe I'll read it some other time.

Anyway, the results were interesting. Not too enlightening. I agreed with everything except one, but have learned that one is true as well.

I'll list them for you, but let me explain things first. As I said, this survey comes from the book Now, Discover Your Strengths. It is written by the senior vice-pres. of the Gallup Organization (yep, the poll people) and a psychologist who state that too many people focus on their weaknesses and not on their strengths. So this survey (which you only have access to after you buy the book) works to identify your top 5 strengths and helps you become a better manager. O.k. the strengths thing interests me, but since I have decided that management is not something I like, the rest of the book is not for me. Anyway, here are my strengths. I'll tell what one I had a problem with at the end.

• INPUT-people strong in the Input theme have a craving to know more. Often they collect and archive all kinds of information.
• HARMONY-people strong in the Harmony theme look for consensus. They don't enjoy conflict; rather, they seek areas of agreement.
• INTELLECTION-people strong in the Intellection theme are characterized by their intellectual activity. They are introspective and appreciate intellectual discussions.
• CONSISTENCY-people strong in the Consistency theme are keenly aware of the need to treat people the same. They try to treat everyone in the world with consistency by setting up clear rules and adhering to them.
• RESPONSIBILITY-people strong in the Responsibility theme take psychological ownership of what they say they will do. They are committed to stable values such as honesty and loyalty.

So what one did I have a problem with? Harmony. I didn't see it at first. It wasn't until my mom explained why this describes me that I accepted it. Other than that, I think they've hit the nail on the head. What do you think?