Kristyn Thielbar

In Honors 201, we were expected to take the Clifton Strengths Finder inventory assessment to understand more about how we can develop our leadership competency. Categories for within the StrengthsFinder assessment include relationship building, executing, strategic thinking, and influencing.

 

This assessment helped me learn and understand where my leadership styles come from. I learned my personal leadership top 5 themes come from the categories of relationship building and executing. I was not surprised by these two categories being my strengths, because I find myself trying to build relationships with everyone I meet. I am also goal-oriented toward completing tasks and staying organized. I was a little surprised when I did not have other categories in my top 5, but I also know that the results show I still have qualities within the other columns of influencing and strategic thinking. I believe there is always room for improvement, and one should always work on the leadership styles that are not in the top 5 themes. I also believe that in the world we live in, areas of relationship building and executing are crucial in the business world.

 

The results showed scoring in themes of Achiever, Relator, Arranger, Includer, and Connectedness. I believe these qualities have helped me in various contexts. As a captain in high school sports, I listened in a time of misunderstanding or disagreement. During the IBE program, I was a better teammate because I encourage and want to do my best for my team. When coaching young golfers, I relate to them by talking about experiences to show them the different aspects of the game are not solely reliant on the physical ability, but also on the mental aspect of the game.

 

Now that I took the Strengths Finder, I hope to do more within the community. Some examples of volunteering would be through Feed my Starving Children, participating within a learning community, and coaching golf within my hometown. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and I know in my heart that the best thing that I can do for others is to communicate effectively and help them through situations that he or she is going through. I hope that reflecting on these leadership traits will bring countless opportunities to help lead by example by using my strengths within the community.