self-reflection

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StrengthsQuest™ Assignment

Objective: The goal of this assignment is to deepen your understanding of your strengths, to investigate how your strengths apply to your academic and vocational growth, and to start you on the path of intentionally applying and cultivating your strengths in a variety of academic, personal and career-related situations.

INSTRUCTIONS

Now that you’ve had some time to read your results and discuss your themes in class, the final part of this assignment is to write a 1 ½ -2 page self-reflection about your Strengths Insight & Action Planning Guide. Please use 12-point Times Roman font, 1-inch margins all around, and double-space your essay. Put your name and date in the header at the very top of page 1 and then start your essay at the top of the page.

In a thoughtful, organized and well-crafted essay, please use your two primary sources to respond to the 3 writing prompts below. Primary Sources: (1) Your Strength Insight & Action Planning Guide, and (2) Feedback from your family/friends with whom you shared your guide.

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1. Self-Awareness. Describe your initial reaction (thoughts, feelings, questions) to each of your five talent themes. As you read your personalized guide, what words, phrases, or lines stood out to you and resonated most with who you are? Which parts describe you well? What parts do you agree or disagree with? Please answer this question for
each
of your 5 Signature Themes, one at a time. Be sure to make it clear to your reader which theme you are discussing.

2. Gaining Insights. After sending your guide to family/friends (at least one person), what feedback did you get from them? What did you discover or learn about yourself from their feedback? What surprised you the most? What did you learn about others’ perceptions of your strengths? Do their perceptions reaffirm anything for you or make you consider any new actions to take? What do you agree or disagree with? Describe your experience hearing their responses to the questions you asked. Were you nervous or excited? Did you laugh at something they said or disagree about something? What is your big “take-away” from this exercise of sharing your report and getting feedback?

3. Application & Action. Discuss how you are currently using each talent in your personal and academic life. Give specific examples from your life. Next, discuss specific action steps you could take to develop each of the 5 talent themes into personal strengths. (Imagine that you will be able to apply these well-developed strengths in a variety of situations throughout your life, including your future career and personal relationships.)

Question to ask your family members or friends after they read your guide:

What was your initial reaction to my report?

Which theme or themes do you see most in me? Can you give me examples?

When have you seen me excited, engaged, or at my best in a role or situation?

What do you see as my greatest strengths?

For as long as you have known me, have you ever thought there was something that I should do or be (a job, a role, a volunteer position, etc.) that would best use my strengths?

Is there anything I should know about myself that you have observed?

Strengths Insight and Action-Planning Guide
SURVEY COMPLETION DATE:

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Talal alshammary

Your Top

5

Themes

Deliberative
Context
Woo
Positivity
Relator

What’s in This Guide?

Section I: Awareness

A brief Shared Theme Description for each of your top five themes

Your Personalized Strengths Insights, which describe what makes you stand out from others
with the same theme in their top five

  • Questions
  • for you to answer to increase your awareness of your talents

    Section II: Application

    10

    Ideas for Action for each of your top five themes

    Questions for you to answer to help you apply your talents

    Section III: Achievement

    Examples of what each of your top five themes “sounds like” — real quotes from people who
    also have the theme in their top five

    Steps for you to take to help you leverage your talents for achievement

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    6

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    5760 (Talal alshammary)
    © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.

    1

    Section I: Awareness

    Deliberative
    Shared Theme Description

    People who are especially talented in the Deliberative theme are best described by the serious care
    they take in making decisions or choices. They anticipate the obstacles.

    Your Personalized Strengths Insights

    What makes you stand out?

    Instinctively, you are considered a businesslike individual by most of your teammates. Why? You
    probably avoid activities in the workplace or classroom that make you appear foolish. It’s very likely
    that you are likely to be the team member who is known for weighing the pros and cons rather than
    rushing recklessly to conclusions. You seldom make impulsive or rash decisions. By nature, you
    embody the proverb “Still waters run deep.” Quiet by nature, you give deep thought to many matters.
    Often you appear earnest and dignified to others. People benefit from your clear-sightedness as well
    as your sympathetic understanding and insights. Because of your strengths, you are somewhat
    private about your personal life — that is, your past, your present activities, or your future plans. You
    tend to be selective about what you tell and to whom you tell it. Driven by your talents, you often are
    described as a no-nonsense person. You are determined to examine the smallest details of
    processes, problems, regulations, plans, and contracts. Breaking these into their basic parts helps
    you better understand them. You are easily annoyed by individuals who fail to give you enough time
    to methodically investigate, study, or think through things.

    Questions

    1. As you read your personalized strengths insights, what words, phrases, or lines stand out to
    you?

    2. Out of all the talents in this insight, what would you like for others to see most in you?

    363275760 (Talal alshammary)
    © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.

    2

    Context
    Shared Theme Description

    People who are especially talented in the Context theme enjoy thinking about the past. They
    understand the present by researching its history.

    Your Personalized Strengths Insights
    What makes you stand out?

    By nature, you create a vision of the future by unraveling what happened in the past. You strive to
    understand the what, when, who, where, how, and why of events. You are determined to create a
    framework of facts so you can put things in perspective. Instinctively, you are an enthusiastic student
    of the past. Why? The past offers insights about the coming months, years, or decades. When you
    can make sense of what has occurred, you are much more prepared to deal with upcoming changes
    or opportunities. Chances are good that you are quite intrigued by history’s significant events and
    people. Information about global conflicts fascinates you. Because of your strengths, you are inclined
    to read about major wars. While some people find this topic boring or irrelevant, you are quite
    fascinated with it. Whenever you read about global conflicts, you feel impelled to collect more
    information. One book or article is likely to lead you to another then another. You experience the story
    of humankind unfolding before your eyes on the printed page. Driven by your talents, you routinely
    gather historical facts or artifacts — that is, pictures, tools, books, artwork, correspondence, or
    documents. You often wait to determine whether this information is useful. Your interest in history
    probably has no purpose other than to answer your own questions. You are simply intrigued by the
    past and its people. The future starts to take shape in your mind as soon as you begin to rummage
    through your collection of historic truths and objects.

    Questions
    1. As you read your personalized strengths insights, what words, phrases, or lines stand out to
    you?
    2. Out of all the talents in this insight, what would you like for others to see most in you?
    363275760 (Talal alshammary)
    © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.
    3

    Woo
    Shared Theme Description

    People who are especially 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
    another person.

    Your Personalized Strengths Insights
    What makes you stand out?

    By nature, you occasionally search for the right words to make your point. Even so, few people even
    notice your momentary struggle. Perhaps being able to put friends or strangers at ease quickly is one
    of your special gifts. Instinctively, you demonstrate a natural fondness for human beings. As a result,
    many individuals are attracted to you. They sense you really understand what they are feeling,
    thinking, or experiencing at the moment. People usually appreciate your willingness not to discount or
    belittle their emotions, ideas, or reactions to events. It’s very likely that you declare life is very exciting.
    You welcome opportunities to accept various types of people into your circle of acquaintances,
    teammates, family, or friends. The more people you have around you, the happier you are. Chances
    are good that you typically fill your time with reading when friends or special support groups are far
    away. You peruse — that is, studiously examine — fiction or nonfiction, newspaper accounts,
    correspondence, magazine articles, or research papers. This helps you forget the loneliness you can
    feel. In the process of pulling together insights or information, you broaden your knowledge base.
    Driven by your talents, you feel forlorn — that is, miserable or deprived — when you are separated
    from someone who is dear to you. You yearn to spend time with your friends. Their absence saddens
    you.

    Questions
    1. As you read your personalized strengths insights, what words, phrases, or lines stand out to
    you?
    2. Out of all the talents in this insight, what would you like for others to see most in you?
    363275760 (Talal alshammary)
    © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.

    4

    Positivity
    Shared Theme Description

    People who are especially talented in the Positivity theme have an enthusiasm that is contagious.
    They are upbeat and can get others excited about what they are going to do.

    Your Personalized Strengths Insights
    What makes you stand out?

    By nature, you naturally feel upbeat about life when you realize you can read several hundred pages
    of written material in a single sitting. Instinctively, you regularly participate in goal-setting sessions.
    You are apt to be quite optimistic about your life, work, or studies when you have played a role in
    establishing your objectives or priorities. Because of your strengths, you normally feel very good
    about life, especially when specific people accept your bold, assertive, and self-reliant style. You are
    even more optimistic when the same individuals permit you to make your own choices. Driven by your
    talents, you are more satisfied with life when you set aside time to consider what you want to
    accomplish in the coming months, years, or decades. You probably design action plans to reach
    important goals. Chances are good that you routinely tune in to individuals’ subtle and not-so-subtle
    yearnings to be cheered up, supported, and motivated. You have a knack for inspiring people. They
    sense that you are aware of their feelings, thoughts, and needs. They probably feel better about
    themselves when you are with them.

    Questions
    1. As you read your personalized strengths insights, what words, phrases, or lines stand out to
    you?
    2. Out of all the talents in this insight, what would you like for others to see most in you?
    363275760 (Talal alshammary)
    © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.
    5

    Relator
    Shared Theme Description

    People who are especially talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They
    find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal.

    Your Personalized Strengths Insights
    What makes you stand out?

    Driven by your talents, you are comfortable offering suggestions to people who regularly seek your
    counsel — that is, recommendations about a decision or course of action they are considering. These
    individuals usually feel deep affection for you. You are likely to spend time together socializing as well
    as working or studying. Instinctively, you feel pleased when friends seek your counsel. Being asked
    for guidance uplifts you. It often gives meaning to your life. Chances are good that you embrace life
    more fully when you are surrounded by people whose personal aims or professional ambitions are
    clearly defined. By nature, you are happy to share your perspective on things when asked. You really
    appreciate people who have a gift for beginning discussions or making small talk. These individuals
    usually create a safe environment for you to express your ideas and feelings. It’s very likely that you
    have the ability to instruct, train, or offer suggestions to people who look to you for assistance.

    Questions
    1. As you read your personalized strengths insights, what words, phrases, or lines stand out to
    you?
    2. Out of all the talents in this insight, what would you like for others to see most in you?
    363275760 (Talal alshammary)
    © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.
    6

    Questions

    1. How does this information help you better understand your unique talents?
    2. How can you use this understanding to add value to your role?
    3. How can you apply this knowledge to add value to your team, workgroup, department, or

    division?
    4. How will this understanding help you add value to your organization?
    5. What will you do differently tomorrow as a result of this report?

    363275760 (Talal alshammary)
    © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.
    7

    Section II: Application

    Deliberative
    Ideas for Action:

    You have naturally good judgment, so consider work in which you can provide advice
    and counsel. You might be especially adept at legal work, crafting sound business
    deals, or ensuring compliance to regulations.
    Whatever your role, take responsibility for helping others think through their decisions.
    You can see factors that others may not see. You will soon be sought as a valuable
    sounding board.
    Explain your process of careful decision making — that you highlight risk in order to
    take control and reduce it. You don’t want others to misconstrue your Deliberative
    talents for tentativeness or fear of action.
    You inspire trust because you are cautious and considerate about sensitive topics.
    Use these talents by taking on opportunities to handle delicate issues and conflicts.
    Rather than take foolhardy risks, you are apt to approach a decision cautiously. Trust
    your instincts when you believe that something is too good to be true.
    During times of change, consider the advantages of being conservative in your
    decision making. Be ready to explain these advantages to others.
    Don’t let anyone push you into revealing too much about yourself too soon. Check
    people out carefully before sharing confidential information. You naturally build
    friendships slowly, so take pride in your small circle of good friends.
    Partner with someone with strong Command, Self-Assurance, or Activator talents.
    Together you will make many decisions, and these decisions will be sound.
    Temper the tendency of others to haphazardly move into action by declaring a
    “consideration” period before decisions are made. Your caution can serve to steer
    others away from folly and toward wise conclusions.
    Give yourself permission to withhold your opinion until you get all the facts and have
    an opportunity to ponder your stance. You are not someone who embraces change
    immediately; you are apt to reflect on possible outcomes so that all the angles are
    covered. As a deliberative person, you function as a “brake” for more impulsive types
    who wish to move quickly.

    Questions

    1. Which of these action items speak to you? Highlight the actions that you are most likely to
    take.

    2. How will you commit to taking action? Write your own personalized action item that you will
    take in the next 30 days.

    363275760 (Talal alshammary)
    © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.

    8

    Context
    Ideas for Action:

    Before planning begins on a project, encourage the people involved to study past
    projects. Help them appreciate the statement: “Those who cannot remember the past
    are condemned to repeat it.”
    If you are in a role that requires teaching others, build your lessons around case
    studies. You will enjoy the search for the appropriate case, and your students will
    learn from these precedents. Use your understanding of the past to help others map
    the future.
    At work, help your organization strengthen its culture via folklore. For example, collect
    symbols and stories that represent the best of the past, or suggest naming an award
    after a person who embodied the historical traditions of your organization.
    Partner with someone with strong Futuristic or Strategic talents. This person’s
    fascination with what “could be” will stop you from becoming mired in the past, while
    your deep understanding of context will stop him or her from ignoring the lessons of
    the past. Together you are more likely to create something that lasts.
    Accept change. Remember that your Context talents do not require you to “live in the
    past.” Instead, you can actually become known as an active agent for positive
    change. Your natural sense of context should allow you to identify more clearly than
    most the aspects of the past that can be discarded and those that must be retained to
    build a sustainable future.
    Use fact-based comparisons to prior successes to paint a vivid picture for others of
    “what can be” in the future. The real-life illustrations you create can build confidence
    and emotional engagement.
    You recognize that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. Probe your
    friends and coworkers about actions that might have contributed to their current
    successes so you can help them make better choices in the future. This will help them
    put their decisions into an overall context.
    Read historical novels, non-fiction, or biographies. You will discover many insights
    that will help you understand the present. You will think more clearly.
    Compare historical antecedents and situations to your current challenge. Identifying
    commonalities may lead you to a new perspective or an answer to your problems.
    Seek out mentors who have a sense of history. Listening to their memories is likely to
    spark your thought process.

    Questions
    1. Which of these action items speak to you? Highlight the actions that you are most likely to
    take.
    2. How will you commit to taking action? Write your own personalized action item that you will
    take in the next 30 days.
    363275760 (Talal alshammary)
    © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.

    9

    Woo
    Ideas for Action:

    Choose a job in which you can interact with many people over the course of a day.
    Deliberately build the network of people who know you. Tend to it by checking in with
    each person at least once a month.
    Join local organizations, volunteer for committees, and find out how to get on the
    social lists of the influential people where you live.
    Learn the names of as many people as you can. Create a file of the people you know,
    and add names as you become acquainted. Include a snippet of personal information
    — such as their birthday, favorite color, hobby, or favorite sports team.
    In social situations, take responsibility for helping put reserved people at ease.
    Find the right words to explain that networking is part of your style. If you don’t claim
    this theme, others might mistake it for insincerity and wonder why you are being so
    friendly.
    Partner with someone with dominant Relator or Empathy talents. This person can
    solidify the relationships that you begin.
    Your Woo talents give you the ability to quicken the pulse of your surroundings.
    Recognize the power of your presence and how you open doors for an exchange of
    ideas. By simply starting conversations that engage others and bring talented people
    together, you will take performance up a notch — or several.
    The first moments of any social occasion are crucial to how comfortable people will be
    and how they will remember the event. Whenever possible, be one of the first people
    others meet. Your capacity for meeting and greeting new people will help to quickly
    put them at ease.
    Practice ways to charm and engage others. For example, research people before you
    meet them so you can talk about your common interests.

    Questions
    1. Which of these action items speak to you? Highlight the actions that you are most likely to
    take.
    2. How will you commit to taking action? Write your own personalized action item that you will
    take in the next 30 days.
    363275760 (Talal alshammary)
    © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.
    10

    Positivity
    Ideas for Action:

    You probably will excel in any role in which you are paid to highlight the positive. A
    teaching role, a sales role, an entrepreneurial role, or a leadership role will make the
    most of your ability to make things dramatic.
    You tend to be more enthusiastic and energetic than most people. When others
    become discouraged or are reluctant to take risks, your attitude will provide the
    impetus to keep them moving. Over time, others will start to look to you for this “lift.”
    Plan highlight activities for your friends and colleagues. For example, find ways to turn
    small achievements into events, plan regular celebrations that others can look forward
    to, or capitalize on the year’s holidays and festivals.
    Explain that your enthusiasm is not simple naivety. You know that bad things can
    happen; you simply prefer to focus on the good things.
    You may get your greatest joy by encouraging people. Freely show your appreciation
    of others, and make sure that the praise is not vague. Consistently seek to translate
    your feelings into specific, tangible, and personal expressions of gratitude and
    recognition.
    As you share your Positivity talents, be sure to protect and nurture them. As
    necessary, insulate yourself from chronic whiners and complainers, and intentionally
    spend time in highly positive environments that will invigorate and feed your optimism.
    Don’t pretend that difficulties don’t concern you. Other people need to know that while
    you find the good in virtually every situation, you are not naïve. Recognize challenges,
    and communicate the reasons for your optimism. Your positive approach will be most
    powerful when others realize it is grounded in reality.
    Because people will rely on you to help them rise above their daily frustrations, arm
    yourself with good stories, jokes, and sayings. Never underestimate the effect that
    you can have on people.
    Avoid negative people. They will bring you down. Instead, seek people who find the
    same kind of drama and humor in the world that you do. You will energize each other.
    Deliberately help others see the things that are going well for them. You can keep
    their eyes on the positive.

    Questions
    1. Which of these action items speak to you? Highlight the actions that you are most likely to
    take.
    2. How will you commit to taking action? Write your own personalized action item that you will
    take in the next 30 days.
    363275760 (Talal alshammary)
    © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.

    11

    Relator
    Ideas for Action:

    Find a workplace in which friendships are encouraged. You will not do well in an
    overly formal organization. In job interviews, ask about work styles and company
    culture.
    Deliberately learn as much as you can about the people you meet. You like knowing
    about people, and other people like being known. By doing this, you will act as a
    catalyst for trusting relationships.
    Let it be known that you are more interested in the character and personality of others
    than in their status or job title. This is one of your greatest talents and can serve as a
    model for others.
    Let your caring show. For example, find people in your company to mentor, help your
    colleagues get to know each other better, or extend your relationships beyond the
    office.
    No matter how busy you are, stay in contact with your friends. They are your fuel.
    Be honest with your friends. True caring means helping the other person be
    successful and fulfilled. Giving honest feedback or encouraging your friend to move
    out of a role in which he or she is struggling is a compassionate act.
    You probably prefer to be seen as a person, an equal, or a friend, rather than as a
    function, a superior, or a title. Let people know that they can address you by your first
    name, rather than formally.
    You might tend to withhold the most engaging aspects of your personality until you
    have sensed openness from another person. Remember, building relationships is not
    a one-way street. Proactively “put yourself out there.” Others will quickly see you for
    the genuine individual you are, and you will create many more opportunities to
    cultivate strong, long-lasting connections.
    Make time for family and close friends. You need to spend quality moments with
    those you love in order to “feed” your Relator talents. Schedule activities that allow
    you to get even closer to the people who keep you grounded and happy.
    Make an effort to socialize with your colleagues and team members outside of work. It
    can be as simple as lunch or coffee together. This will help you forge more connected
    relationships at work, which in turn can facilitate more effective teamwork and
    cooperation.

    Questions
    1. Which of these action items speak to you? Highlight the actions that you are most likely to
    take.
    2. How will you commit to taking action? Write your own personalized action item that you will
    take in the next 30 days.
    363275760 (Talal alshammary)
    © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.
    12

    Section III: Achievement

    Look for signs of achievement as you read these real quotes from people who share your top five
    themes.
    Deliberative sounds like this:

    Dick H., film producer: “My whole thing is to reduce the number of variables out there — the fewer the
    variables, the lower the risk. When I am negotiating with directors, I always start by giving in on some
    of the smaller points right away. Then once I have taken the smaller issues out of play, I feel better. I
    can focus. I can control the conversation.”

    Debbie M., project manager: “I am the practical one. When my colleagues are spouting all of these
    wonderful ideas, I am asking questions like, ‘How is this going to work? How is this going to be
    accepted by this group or that group of people?’ I won’t say that I play devil’s advocate, because that
    is too negative, but I do weigh the implications and assess risk. And I think we all make better
    decisions because of my questions.”

    Jamie B., service worker: “I am not a very organized person, but the one thing I do without fail is
    double-check. I don’t do it because I am hyper-responsible or anything. I do it to feel secure. With
    relationships, with performance, with anything, I am out there on a limb, and I need to know that the
    particular branch I am standing on is solid.”

    Brian B., school administrator: “I am putting together a safe-schools plan. I am going to conferences,
    and we have eight committees working. We have a district-wide review board, but I am still not
    comfortable with the basic model. My boss asks, ‘When can I see the plan?’ And I say, ‘Not yet. I am
    not comfortable.’ With a big smile on her face, she says, ‘Gee, Brian, I don’t want it to be perfect, I just
    want a plan.’ But she lets me be because she knows that the care I take now pays big dividends.
    Because of this pre-work, once the decision is made, it stays made. It doesn’t unravel.”

    363275760 (Talal alshammary)
    © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.

    13

    Context sounds like this:

    Adam Y., software designer: “I tell my people, ‘Let’s avoid vuja de.’ And they say, ‘Isn’t that the wrong
    word? Shouldn’t it be déjà vu?’ And I say, ‘No, vuja de means that we’re bound to repeat the mistakes
    of our past. We must avoid this. We must look to our past, see what led to our mistakes, and then not
    make them again.’ It sounds obvious, but most people don’t look to their past or don’t trust that it was
    valid or something. And so for them, it’s vuja de all over again.”

    Jesse K., media analyst: “I have very little empathy, so I don’t relate to people through their present
    emotional state. Instead, I relate to them through their past. In fact, I can’t even begin to understand
    people until I have found out where they grew up, what their parents were like, and what they studied
    in college.”

    Gregg H., accounting manager: “I recently moved the whole office to a new accounting system, and
    the only reason it worked was that I honored their past. When people build an accounting system, it’s
    their blood, sweat, and tears; it’s them. They are personally identified with it. So if I come in and
    blandly tell them that I’m going to change it, it’s like me saying I am going to take your baby away.
    That’s the level of emotion I was dealing with. I had to respect this connection, this history, or they
    would have rejected me out of hand.”

    363275760 (Talal alshammary)
    © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.

    14

    Woo sounds like this:

    Deborah C., publishing executive: “I have made best friends out of people that I have met passing in
    the doorway. I mean, it’s awful, but wooing is part of who I am. All my taxi drivers propose to me.”

    Marilyn K., college president: “I don’t believe I’m looking for friends, but people call me a friend. I call
    people and say, ‘I love you,’ and I mean it because I love people easily. But friends? I don’t have
    many friends. I don’t think I am looking for friends. I am looking for connections. And I am really good
    at that because I know how to achieve common ground with people.”

    Anna G., nurse: “I think I am a little shy sometimes. Usually I won’t make the first step out. But I do
    know how to put people at ease. A lot of my job is just humor. If the patient is not very receptive, my
    role becomes that of a stand-up comedian. I’ll say to an eighty-year-old patient, ‘Hi, you handsome
    guy. Sit up. Let me get your shirt off. That’s good. Take your shirt off. Whoa, what a chest on this
    man!’ With kids, you have to start very slowly and say something like, ‘How old are you?’ If they say,
    ‘Ten,’ then I say, ‘Really? When I was your age, I was eleven’ — silly stuff like that to break the ice.”

    363275760 (Talal alshammary)
    © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.

    15

    Positivity sounds like this:

    Gerry L., flight attendant: “There are so many people on an airplane that I have made it a point over
    the years to single out one or two on a flight and make it something special for them. Certainly, I will
    be courteous to everybody and extend to them the kind of professionalism that I would like given to
    me, but over and above that, I try to make one person or family or small group of people feel
    particularly special, with jokes and conversation and little games that I play.”

    Andy B., Internet marketing executive: “I am one of those people who loves creating buzz. I read
    magazines all the time, and if I find something fun — some new store, new lip gloss, whatever — I will
    charge around telling everyone about it. ‘Oh, you just have to try this store. It is so-o-o cool. Look at
    these pictures. Check them out.’ I am so passionate when I talk about something that people just
    have to do what I say. It’s not that I am a great salesperson. I’m not. In fact, I hate asking for the
    close; I hate bothering people. It’s just that my passion about what I say makes people think, ‘Gosh, it
    must be true.’”

    Sunny G., communications manager: “I think the world is plagued with enough negative people. We
    need more positive people — people who like to zero in on what is right with the world. Negative
    people just make me feel heavy. In my last job, there was a guy who came into my office every
    morning just to unload on me. I would purposely dodge him. I’d see him coming, and I’d run to the
    bathroom or go some other place. He made me feel as if the world was a miserable place, and I hated
    that.”

    363275760 (Talal alshammary)
    © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.

    16

    Relator sounds like this:

    Gavin T., flight attendant: “I have many wonderful acquaintances, but as for true friends that I hold
    dear, not very many. And I’m real okay with that. My best times are spent with the people I’m tightest
    with, like my family. We are a very tight-knit Irish Catholic family, and we get together every chance
    we can. It’s a large family — I have five brothers and sisters and ten nieces and nephews — but we
    all get together about once a month and yuk it up. I’m the catalyst. When I’m back in Chicago, even if
    there is no birthday or anniversary or whatever, I become the excuse for getting together and hanging
    out for three or four days. We really enjoy one another’s company.”

    Tony D., pilot: “I used to fly in the Marines, and, boy, you had better be comfortable with the word
    ‘friend’ in the Marines. You had better feel good about trusting someone else. I can’t tell you how
    many times I put my life in someone else’s hands. I was flying off my friend’s wing, and I’d be dead if
    he couldn’t get me back safely.”

    Jamie T., entrepreneur: “I’m definitely selective about my relationships. When I first meet people, I
    don’t want to give them very much of my time. I don’t know them; they don’t know me — so let’s just
    be pleasant and leave it at that. But if circumstances make it so that we get to know each other better,
    it seems like a threshold is reached where I suddenly start wanting to invest more. I’ll share more of
    myself, put myself out for them, do things for them that will bring us a little closer, and show that I
    care. It’s funny because I am not looking for any more friends in my life. I have enough. And yet with
    each new person I meet, as soon as that threshold is reached, I feel compelled to go deeper and
    deeper. Now I have ten people working for me, and I would call each of them my very good friend.”

    363275760 (Talal alshammary)
    © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.

    17

    Questions

    1. Talk to friends or coworkers to hear how they have used their talents to achieve.

    2. How will you use your talents to achieve?

    363275760 (Talal alshammary)
    © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.

    18

    • Strengths Insight and Action-Planning Guide SURVEY COMPLETION DATE: 10-31-2012
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