As part of my studies in Health Care Design and Innovation at the University of Minnesota, I took two assessments: CliftonStrengths assessment and a values assessment from VIA Institute on Character. Overall, authenticity and trust, a genuine interest in understanding what makes individuals unique, and a love of creativity and ideas emerged as my themes.

The results resonate with who I believe myself to be. Along with a genuine disposition, I bring a mix of strategic thinking, research skills, and creative experimentation, along with the ability to follow things through to execution. I’m able to recognize strengths and make room for individuals to use their unique talents for impact, even when I’m not leading a project. And in my work, an element of fun and humor is always mixed in where/when appropriate.

Descriptions are taken from Clifton Strengths Finder.

People with strong Strategic talents can sort through the clutter to find the best route. You can’t teach this skill. It is a distinct way of thinking — a unique perspective on the world at large. This outlook allows them to see patterns where others see complexity. Mindful of these patterns, they envision alternative scenarios, always asking, “What if this happened?” This recurring question helps them see, plan and prepare for future situations. They see a way when others assume there is no way. Armed with this strategy, they move forward.

People with strong Ideation talents are creative and appreciate originality. They relish free-thinking experiences such as brainstorming and discussion groups. They have a natural capacity to consider issues from multiple perspectives. They revel in taking the world we all know and turning it around so people can view it from a strangely enlightening angle. They think outside the box. They are fascinated by new ideas and concepts, which come to them easily. They love ideas because they can be profound, they can be novel, they can be clarifying, they can be contrary, and they can be bizarre. For all of these reasons, they derive a jolt of energy whenever a new idea occurs to them.

Maximizers see talents and strengths in others, usually before anyone else does. Strengths — whether their own or someone else’s — fascinate them. Maximizers love to help others get excited about their potential. They see what people do best and which jobs they will be good at. They can see how people’s talents match the tasks they must complete. Excellence, not average, is their measure and pursuit. They have a quality orientation that leads them to focus on areas of strength for themselves and others and manage weaknesses.

People with strong Futuristic talents love to peer over the horizon. They are fascinated by the future. They anticipate and imagine in detail what tomorrow could or should be. They usually see the future positively. While the details of the picture will depend on their other strengths and interests — a better product, a better team, a better life or a better world — it will always inspire them. This vision energizes themselves and others. They can paint a picture of the future for their team members.

Achievers have a constant need for attainment. They have an internal fire burning inside them. It pushes them to do and achieve more. People with strong Achiever talents feel as if every day starts at zero. By the end of the day, they must accomplish something meaningful to feel good about themselves. And “every day” means every single day: workdays, weekends, holidays and even vacations. If the day passes without some form of achievement, no matter how small, Achievers feel dissatisfied. After finishing a challenging project, they rarely seek with a reward of a rest or an easy assignment. While they appreciate recognition for past achievements, their motivation lies in striving toward the next goal on the horizon.

Descriptions are taken from IA Institute of Character Assessment.

When you are honest, you speak the truth. More broadly, you present yourself in a genuine and sincere way, without pretense, and taking responsibility for your feelings and actions. 

Judgment involves making rational and logical choices, and analytically evaluating ideas, opinions, and facts. 

Simply put, kindness is being nice to others. Kind individuals believe that others are worthy of attention and affirmation for their own sake as human beings, not out of a sense of duty or principle. There are three traits of altruistic personalities: empathy/sympathy, moral reasoning, and social responsibility.

Humor involves the ability to make other people smile or laugh. It also means having a composed and cheerful view on adversity that allows an individual to see its light side and thereby sustain a good mood.

To be curious is to explore and discover, to take an interest in ongoing experience for its own sake. Curiosity is often described as novelty-seeking and being open to experience, and it’s associated with the natural desire to build knowledge.

Fairness is treating people justly, not letting your personal feelings bias your decisions about others. You want to give everyone a fair chance, and believe there should be equal opportunity for all, though you also realize that what is fair for one person might not be fair for another.

Humility means accurately evaluating your accomplishments. Truly humble people think well of themselves and have a good sense of who they are, but they also are aware of their mistakes, gaps in their knowledge, and imperfections.

Creativity is thinking of new ways to do things. It involves producing ideas or behaviors that are original. However, originality is not enough: whatever is created, whether an idea or a product, must also be useful or adaptable. 

Forgiveness means to extend understanding towards those who have wronged or hurt us. It means to let go. In many cases this is the letting go of some or all of the frustration, disappointment, resentment, or other painful feelings associated with an offense. 

Teamwork means that in team situations you are committed to contributing to the team’s success. Teamwork extends to being a good citizen of your community or country, and more broadly to a sense of social responsibility for particular groups of people or even all of humanity.

*Source: CliftonStrengths​​​​​​​

**Source: VIA Institute of Character Assessment