PL 101: Understanding Your Gifts and Strengths from the MBTI (Discussion 2)
Please note: In order to successfully complete Course 1, you must respond to this post. Your comment/response should answer the questions/shows that you completed the given activity (if any). Read the post carefully and follow the instructions given. Save your responses to a document that you can later refer to. You will need to copy/paste your response in the course evaluation form at the end of each course to show that you have done the work and to refresh your memory.
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Hello Leadership Crew!
I have just gone through the introduction thread and read about all of you. If you havent yet introduced yourself, then please stop by and share a little about yourself so we can get to know you. Im encouraged by all the great people that have joined. This should be a fun and enriching program!
Let me first zoom back and talk more broadly about your career and how we can help. When you become a leader on 7 Cups, we want you to find the work fulfilling. Fulfilling work means that it is:
a) work you are good at;
b) work that is interesting to you; and
c) work that solves an important problem or meets an important goal (Thiel, 2015).
The sweet spot is that blue area in the middle below.
If you do work that you are good at, but not interested in, then you wont do a great job. If you do work that you are interested in, but not particularly good at, then it wont be great work. If you do work that you are good at and interested in, but it isnt helping to solve an important problem, then we wont be a good fit for you. We need alignment on all 3 things. We work very hard at the beginning of your work with us to match your inherent strengths and interests with needs we have so that we can work together to solve problems that we all care about.
You have strengths â things that you are just really good at when compared with others. Operating out of your strengths feels good, is personally fulfilling, and enables you to hit flow states. As a result, you are much more effective and productive. Operating out of weaknesses is a drain. If you have to do work that you are not good at, then you wont be as effective. Doubling down on your strengths enables you to level up much faster and it helps 7 Cups make much more progress. Â
The next step becomes helping you find ways to identify your strengths, gifts or natural talents. You can learn some of this through self-observation - what do you seem especially good at? Are there things that just come natural to you that are more challenging for others? My wife, for example, is really good at writing; it just comes natural to her. Im pretty good at public speaking, whereas others find it more challenging.
Another way is to ask people you trust. You can say: What do you think Im good at? Or: what do you think are my top 1-3 strengths? Things that stand out to you about me? Note: only ask people you trust because sometimes people can give you feedback in a harmful rather than helpful way especially if they are not trustworthy.
For the purposes of this course, we are going to use personality tests to help you identify your strengths. Some of these are better than others; they are more reliable and have more research behind them. Broadly, we are using them here to help you begin to map out your strengths and to help you find ways where you can naturally excel here on 7 Cups, in your personal life, and in whatever career your are in or choose further down the road.
To start:
Go to this site here and take the test: https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test
Next, in the thread below, answer the following questions:
1. What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters please Â
2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?
3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.
Last, when people interact with one another, it makes the course more enriching and it allows us to learn more about one another. In addition to posting in the thread, please also be sure to respond in a helpful and positive way to at least 3 other comments in this thread.
You can also ask any questions in this thread and well respond to them as well.
Very excited to kick this off with all of you!
After fulfilling the requirements of this post, please check out the next post here! You must take part in the brainstorming/activities given in all of these posts to successfully complete the program.
This post is brought to you by the Leadership Development Program Team, find out more information about the program here.
My personality type is ISFP-T/ Turbulent Adventurer
Main things Ive learned about myself is that I am not good at long-term planning, which is true. I tend to let my significant other do the long-term planning, which he does. I got a laugh out of that! I have an artistic mind and love to visualize things. I am an introvert but am lively around loved ones. Sometimes, I have to recharge when I spend a lot of time with others. I like jobs where I can have freedom and be creative. When I become a therapist, I will do just that, within the code of ethics of course.
My top Strengths:
-Charming, Im relaxed and warm, making me likable and popular.
-Sensitive to others, I easily relate to others emotions
-Imaginative, I use creativity and insight to create ideas that can help me in a lot of ways.
@shiningDay80
I love that you got a laugh out of it :D
Your descrpition was lovely to read too, Charming is a lovely strength to have!
@shiningDay80
Hey! Those are some very lovely strengths to have
Infj-t :3
@Robin7cups
What was your 3 strengths & what did you learn from it? :)
@GlenM
Oooh, I remember taking this test all throughout my years in high school! I never can remember what I am, though :P
1. What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters, please!
ESFP-T (The Entertainer)
2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?
Not necessarily new- but I dedicate a lot of time to others (encouraging, entertaining, etc) and that time is extremely well spent
Celebrities with the same personality type:
Marilyn Monroe
Elton John
Steve Irwin
Adam Levine
Adele
3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.
Strengths:
Bold – Entertainers arent known for holding back. Wanting to experience everything there is to experience, people with the Entertainer personality type dont mind stepping out of their comfort zones when no one else is willing.
Original – Traditions and expectations are secondary to Entertainers if a consideration at all. Entertainer personalities love to experiment with new styles, and constantly find new ways to stick out in the crowd.
Excellent People Skills – More so than things though, Entertainers love to pay attention to people. They are talkative, witty, and almost never run out of things to discuss. For people with this personality type, happiness, and satisfaction stem from the time they spend with the people they enjoy being with.
Weaknesses:
Sensitive – Entertainers (especially Turbulent ones) are strongly emotional and very vulnerable to criticism – they can feel like theyve been backed into a corner, sometimes reacting badly. This is probably Entertainers greatest weakness because it makes it so hard to address any other weaknesses brought to light.
Easily Bored – Without constant excitement, Entertainers find ways to create it themselves. Risky behavior, self-indulgence, and the pleasures of the moment over long-term plans are all things Entertainers get into a little too often.
Unfocused – Anything that requires long-term dedication and focus is a particular challenge for Entertainers. In academics, dense, unchanging subjects like Classic Literature are much more difficult than more dynamic, relatable subjects like psychology. The trick for Entertainers is to find day-to-day joy in broader goals and to tough it out with those tedious things that must be done.
This was super interesting! I wouldn't agree with some of the strengths and weaknesses, but I think the whole test is super interesting!
@smolecho
I like that you added in the celebrities with the same personality type! :)
If you feel like some of it wasn't accurate the maybe take the test again and see if you get the same or a different result?
@smolecho
I feel I have similar personality traits but I'm ENFP-T.
Interesting!!
@smolecho Hey Echo! Wow, July 2020... I have gone through this thread to find anybody with the same personality type as me and you were the latest I found... Crazy! It's nice to find someone with the same personality type, though.
@GlenM
1. What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters please
Turbulent Advocate INFJ-T
2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?
I have learned so many things about myself and this type of personality, including how rare it is! As mentioned, I tend to search for deeper connections with the people close to me, and I am able to connect with people on an emotional level.
3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.
Strengths:
Creative – Combining a vivid imagination with a strong sense of compassion, Advocates use their creativity to resolve not technical challenges, but human ones. People with the Advocate personality type enjoy finding the perfect solution for someone they care about. This strength makes them excellent counselors and advisors.
Insightful – Seeing through dishonesty and disingenuous motives, Advocates step past manipulation and sales tactics and into a more honest discussion. Advocate personalities see how people and events are connected. They are then able to use that insight to get to the heart of the matter.
Inspiring and Convincing – Speaking in human terms, not technical, Advocates have a fluid, inspirational writing style that appeals to the inner idealist in their audience. Advocates can even be astonishingly good orators, speaking with warmth and passion. This is especially true if they are proud of what they are speaking for.
Weaknesses:
Sensitive – When someone challenges or criticizes Advocates principles or values, they are likely to receive an alarmingly strong response. People with the Advocate personality type are highly vulnerable to criticism and conflict. Questioning their motives is the quickest way to their bad side.
Extremely Private – Advocates tend to present themselves as the culmination of an idea. This is partly because they believe in this idea, but also because Advocates are extremely private when it comes to their personal lives. They use this image to keep themselves from having to truly open up, even to close friends. Trusting a new friend can be even more challenging for Advocates.
Perfectionistic – Advocate personalities are all but defined by their pursuit of ideals. While this is a wonderful quality in many ways, an ideal situation is not always possible – in politics, in business, in romance. Advocates, especially Turbulent ones, too often drop or ignore healthy and productive situations and relationships, always believing there might be a better option down the road.
This was honestly a really great experience! I took this test a while back but I didn't read through the results much. Now that I have read, and learned many new things about me, I can definitely understand myself and purpose better.
@anonymouslistener23 I really love that you listed your weakness too. This was really well written!
@anonymouslistener23
Learning about ourselves can be a challange but it's also rewarding!
Your description was lovely though, listing your weaknesses takes strength to do, so if you think about it, weakness shows us our strength too :)
@anonymouslistener23 Anonyyy!! I'm a Turbulent Mediator (INFP-T) so we have a bunch in common but not everything. I guess I know you a bit better now 😁
~ Lex ☀️ | Take careo and eat oreos 👋🏿❤️🍪
@LexIris
That is a great personality type! :0 I think I know you a bit better too now :0 let's nom everyone 😈 *noms INFP-T people* 😌
@GlenM
Hey everyone so it is time for me to answer
1. What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters please
So I am an Advocate INFJ-A / INFJ-T
2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?
I learned that the creative part of me is because of my personality because in my jobs they always comment on how creative I am.
As a teacher I guess I am fulfilling that part by helping others. At the same time I am sensitive to what others say. In my workplace I find that I get along with everyone and a quiet personality like when I am comfortable I end up talking a lot. I know that feeling like after a busy day of classes and being around people all day wanting to have some ME time.
I remember when I was 19 years old (I'm 33 now), my goal was to study Spanish and visit South America. Spanish and Latin American culture has always been my passion. My last boss said I was the only one he knew in his life who followed their dreams. These last 6 years have gone by quickly (actually I also joined 7cups in 2014 as well), after arriving Ecuador in 2014 I'm still here. I do hope to share about my experiences when I get back to New Zealand.
3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.
So my top three strengths are
Creative: that is something that my workplaces often comment about how always I'm coming up with new ideas especially as a teacher. I lke to find solutions to things about people and concepts I care about. I did start out studying Psychology but my passion was Anthropology and Languages, kind of the same I guess!
Insightful : So I see through the intentions of others easily and believe in honest discussions. I do often connect different things together that is what makes me good at Art, Language, Sport, Science..too many things that I had to choose from.
Inspiring and Convincing: I do hope to do that with my students they definitely had a good year with me. I do like to speak about things I'm passionate for funny enough before my biggest fear was speaking in public so when I started Toastmasters all my ideas really inspired others yet, again all were about Latin America. So, was happy to earn a trophy of being the most improved public speaker in Wellington.
@MonicaQu
I really loved reading this! Following your dreams is awesome :D
Toastmasters was something I was looking into doing, what has your experience with them been like?
@GlenM
1. What is your personality type?
My personality type is ENFJ-T
2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?
I was really surprised that there was such little difference between my percentage of extrovert and introvert!! I know that in the past, I used to be the bookworm and more on the quiet side, so I can find myself often relating to introverts. However, I've been extroverted for quite a while, so I expected to rank more as an extrovert. This is the main surprise!
3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test?
My top 3 strengths are that I am reliable, altruistic, and natural leader. These are the ones I most strongly identify with, and I'm honestly surprised that the website was able to be so accurate!
One of my strengths is perseverance - my desire to fulfill the hopes and expectations of others and to not give up no matter what. As a result, I can generally be considered a reliable person.
I've never thought of myself as altruistic before, but I guess it makes sense. I love creating new things, small 'products' and 'gadgets' that solve problems, and finding solutions for problems that affect a lot of people - and (cliche alert) seeing their positive reactions to those solutions - is amazing. On another subject, I tend to put others before me, as I want others to feel that positivity and happiness that I find within myself. I'm not sure if I'm completely altruistic, but perhaps, I am, just a bit at least.
The last strength is being a natural leader. Now, I probably sound really egoistic and over-confident, but it was the one that I could relate to a bit. I don't think I'm a better leader than others, because I know many others who are amazing leaders and public speakers. But I do use the phrase "Be brave for a minute". I have stage fright, and a fear of disappointing others, so 'leading' others can be scary and frightening. But when I remember that phrase, I push myself slightly out of my comfort zone and I do my best. Coupled with my perseverance, I guess I can be more of a 'natural leader' at times.
[I don't know if anybody read this, since there's over 2 pages of comments already?! But if you did, thanks for reading, and I sincerely hope that you have an amazing day! 💕 💕 ]
@WarriorPrincess16
I really love your strengths and how you explained them!! Have an amazing day too!
@WarriorPrincess16
Perserverence is a wondeful strength to have!
I'm the opposite of you & I'm 'too' altruistic haha
I like the 'be brave for a minute' I may have to rememeber that one :)
@WarriorPrincess16
I really like how you have described your strengths. I hope you have a great day as well!
@WarriorPrincess16 That sounds amazing that you're able to create those gadgets/solutions, have that be something that you naturally enjoy doing, and it also happens to be really helpful or enjoyable for other people as well. Everybody wins.
That makes a lot of sense what you've described about being a natural leader. There's this situation that's scary where there's a risk of disappointing others, but you're able to push yourself and persist in that pressure--and not everyone is able to do that.
1. What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters please
Logician INTP-T
2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?
I learned that I can be extremley "high-strung" and intoverted in new social situations. I learned that while I always have a messy desk, I like followings things in order, doing them right, and making sure it is done well. I also learned that the Logician type is very rare! It makes up 3% of the population. The final thing I learned was that I like exploring new ideas, and a lot of times all the ideas/thoughts in my head can make my good ideas turn into a kind of jumble, that can make my idea difficult to execute well.
3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.
Enthusiastic: I am a reserved person, but when I find something that peaks my intrest, and somebody who shares that intrest, I can be a very excitable person, who, although can finds themselves relying on somebody else to lead conversations, can easily have one about something that piques my intrest.
Honest and Straightforward: I believe that truth is very important to get to the objective.
Open-Minded: I am very open to other ideas and theories, as long as they are supported by logic.
@cocoakrispies121
Another INFP-T :D
Those strengths are awesome strengths to have! even though we are the same personality type, we all have different strengths and gifts :)
Just realised I misread your personality type 🤦♀️
You are an INTP-T :P
@glisteningEyes tehehe it's okay :)
@cocoakrispies121
Finally, another INTP. :)
@DonaldDraper
I know right!!
@cocoakrispies121
I feel like one of the kitties in your pic :D
@DonaldDraper Awww yes haha
@GlenM
1. What is your personality type?
INFP-T
2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?
I learnt that one of my strengths is that I'm idealstic and one of my weaknesses is that i'm too idealistic which reminds me that a strength can be a weakness.
I also learnt that I have some valuable strengths and that my weaknesses aren't really weaknesses but more of a reminder to be more self aware.
3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test?
Idealistic means I believe people are inherntly good and that I always try to find the good in a bad situation.
Seek and value harmony means that I have no interest in having power over others and work hard to ensure that every perspective is heard.
Open midned and flexible means I have a live and let live attitude and dislike being constrained by rules (Although I do like to follow rules...) and that I give the benefit of the doubt.
@glisteningEyes
I'm INFP-T too
@healingWhisper
Nice, welcome to the 4-5% :P
@glisteningEyes
And I like yours :)
@glisteningEyes hello twinny 😁
@glisteningEyes
We have similar personalities, I am an INFJ instead of an INFP. I think the strenghts/gifts you mentioned are really great to have!
@GlenM
1. What is your personality type? Mediator - INFP-T
2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?
I learned that I love to get to know new people and listen to them as well as helping them in any way I can.
3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test?
Seeking harmony and peace so every voice is heard
Open-minded: hearing and accepting all people
Hard-workingi when there is a sense of purpose in that work
@healingWhisper
Feel free to talk to me about this seeing as we have the same personality type it might mean we can understand each other :)
Being an INFP-T is awesome, don't forget that :)
@glisteningEyes @healingWhisper
I'm an INFP-T too! *hugs*
@healingWhisper INFP same here :)
@GlenM
I took this test a few months ago!
Personality type: INFP-T "The Mediator"
What I have learned: It says that Mediators enjoy contemplation and expression. And that every Mediator's dream is to become an author. How did they know?! That's so accurate! It says that we are "led by the purity of intent". It's so great to know this!
Strengths:
Passionate and energetic - Mediators dedicate their time and pour their heart and soul into what interests them.
Very creative - Mediators can see things from different perspectives, and many are authors. I really hope I become a published author one day!
Seek value and harmony - Mediators want to make sure every voice is heard. Yes, I do feel uncomfortable when there are arguments nearby.
Reviewing my test results made me see what I can accomplish and do to better myself <3 What a great test!
@MagicSky28202 same here 😊
@MagicSky28202
That's awesome to see your perspective on this!
I also want to be an author :)