A few years ago one of my employers introduced our agency to the StrengthsFinders 2.0 book written by Tom Rath of the Gallup organization. The book asks the simple question, “Do you have the opportunity to do what you do best every day?” The premise of the book and Gallup research is to assess one’s strengths so that you can focus on what you do best and your strongest assets. As an agency we were asked to read the book and take the test with the thought being that we would be more effective as teams if we understood each other’s strengths and used them as complements.
I found the StrengthsFinders 2.0 test to be an eye-opener and an unbelievably accurate assessment. Consciously or unconsciously my five strengths are what I’ve built my entire career on and I continue to look for opportunities to grow in these areas.
My strengths are: Belief, Communications, Connectedness, Context, Learner. (see update below)
For those unfamiliar with the definitions, the StrengthsFinders 2.0 website describes them as follows:
| Belief® | People strong in the Belief theme have certain core values that are unchanging. Out of these values emerges a defined purpose for their life. |
| Communication® | People strong in the Communication theme generally find it easy to put their thoughts into words. They are good conversationalists and presenters |
| Connectedness® | People strong in the Connectedness theme have faith in the links between all things. They believe there are few coincidences and that almost every event has a reason. |
| Context® | People strong in the Context theme enjoy thinking about the past. They understand the present by researching its history. |
| Learner® | People strong in the Learner theme have a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve. In particular, the process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites them. |
UPDATE: Recently I’ve taken the StrenghFinders 2.0 test again (2017) and found that I now have two new strengths to add (while these did replace Connectedness and Learner, they are very similar). My new strengths are:
| Input® | People exceptionally talented in the Input theme have a craving to know more. Often they like to collect and archive all kinds of information. |
| Positivity® | People especially talented in the Positivity theme have contagious enthusiasm. They are upbeat and can get others excited about what they are going to do. |
For more information about StrengthsFinders 2.0 visit their website http://strengths.gallup.com/110440/About-StrengthsFinder-20.aspx
To download my complete resume as a PDF click here: Ken Ohlemeyer Resume