For today, just read and review the DFQ comments left by other leadership trainees for the past week.
DFQ #11: Read and review these DFQ comments for Lessons 6 to 10:
DFQ#06 – http://www.schoolofthinking.org/about/training/10-dfq/l-mhg-06-what-are-your-strengths/>
DFQ#07 – http://www.schoolofthinking.org/about/training/10-dfq/l-mhg-07-tell-us-a-story/
DFQ#08 – http://www.schoolofthinking.org/about/training/10-dfq/l-mhg-07-tell-us-another-story/
DFQ#09 – http://www.schoolofthinking.org/about/training/10-dfq/l-mhg-09-build-on-your-strength/
DFQ#10 – http://www.schoolofthinking.org/about/training/10-dfq/l-mhg-10-build-on-another-strength/
There are a lot of good suggestions relating to various strengths posted which can be used straight away to improve my strengths.
It does increase my thinking capacity by just reading and thinking along.
Interestings:
We are quite diverse and based on a simple to 5 the possible combinations are many. Its important to capitalise on ones strengths and work on the vulnerabilities.
One observer here noted that most people find it difficult (including myself) to post an authentic and consice story about themselves. I would like to change that about myself.
Through the strengths exercises I considered a few things, none of which I can identify as the most interesting:
:: I noted that strengths have a flipside. Persistence, for example, can sometimes cross a fuzzy line into stubbornness.
:: Despite exploring those strengths, I still managed to have a confidence crisis at work this week.
:: Strengths are not given and cannot be assumed. They require work, discipline and awareness.
:: If strengths can be identified and developed as practices, then perhaps that is a pathway to virtuosity.
Before doing the strength test I would never have thought “curiosity” could be seen as a “strength”. After going further into it with this training I realize without it I would not have done the things I’ve done nor achieved what I have. Now knowing the strength I can now ask myself, “why am I so curious about this?” Focus my attention on it to learn the most I can and experience the most I can from that initial curiosity. In essence it’s “intuition” leading me in the right direction.
I also noticed how we all have different strength’s and how in a few quick questions, developed those strength’s just by realizing them and understanding them at a deeper level. It shows the importance of self-awareness.
It seems that we all have a story to tell and memories of decisions we have had to make. Although I am happy with the strengths I came up with I’m sure we all would have liked a bit of the others. I’m an artist and struck out on creativity and persistance. Perhaps that is why I’m not making a living from being an artist.
I found it interesting when you said it is more productive to work on your strengths. Whats more important is to really know what your strengths are so you are not building on a weakness that you think is a strength.
But are weaknesses really a weakness or, strengths that we would like to use more but don’t tend to do so naturally, due to lack of success or past experience.
The most interesting thing is the realization that my training and study in maintaining a positive attitude during challenges, and my inability to ever quit is the reason I enjoy my Life and look forward to each day as a new adventure rather than peep out from the covers with trepidation of what today will hold. Many in my family have problems with depression and allow it to control their perceptions. I saw the end result of depression and have utilized Wisdom from so many sources to not allow it a toehold in my Life. My desire to learn and an open mind for Wisdom to structure my Life has been my greatest strength and my greatest gain. With the wrong attitude my Life ezperiences would have a different effect on the Life I now lead, the path would be dark and gloomy.
Quite clearly the message is that knowing yourself is very important. Know your strengths, and realize that it takes clear goals and actions to build and develop them further. Doing that daily is what made them and what will keep them as strengths.
The DFQ#9 and DFQ#10 were the most interesting one, after knowing ur strength, you really dont know how to use them at the proper time. to the 9 and the 10 lessons were very useful to enrich our strenghts…
One interesting thing is that most people either don’t read directions or can’t tell a story in 100 words or less. More interesting, however, is that people seem divided between those who like to build themselves up in others’ eyes and those who feel shy about saying anything about their strengths and talents. By this point in my life, I know I have both aspects in my character, both arrogance and false modesty. Neither is really useful and neither is based on true understanding of myself and how life actually works. I began working on this last year in the wake of a serious personal crisis and now think I may be able to gain some authentic understanding if I keep at it and don’t get discouraged!
Identifying my strengths has made me aware of the risk inherent at them (story in two version). This has made me aware of the importance of focusing on strengths and “pipeline” the steps I make for my projects. Focusing on strengths prevents slipping.