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.
1. What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters please
My personality type is INFJ-A / INFJ-T. I already knew this, as I took the test several times in the past.
2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?
This fully resonates with me:
Few personality types are as passionate and mysterious as Advocates. As someone with this personality type, your imagination and empathy make you someone who cherishes their integrity and deeply held principles. Unlike many other idealistic types, however, you are also capable of turning those ideals into plans and executing them.
Yet Advocates can be easily tripped up in areas where their idealism and determination are more of a liability than an asset. There are many areas in life where you may face challenges that, at times, can even make you question who you really are. Anything from navigating interpersonal conflicts, confronting unpleasant facts, pursuing self-realization, or finding a career path that aligns well with your inner core can cause internal frustration.
3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.
Creative : I am able to combine a vivid imagination with a strong sense of compassion, and use my creativity to resolve human challenges.
Insightful : I am able to see through dishonesty and disingenuous motives.
Inspiring and Convincing : I have a fluid, inspirational writing style and I can speak with warmth and passion.
@sunflower2480
We should create a group haha!
@sunflower2480
It's nice to hear that it resonanted with you :)
Your strengths are lovely, always remember that
@sunflower2480 these are really great strengths!
@KindMoment86 @glisteningEyes thank you 
You are really wonderful because the character of creation between imagination and reality is considered a special characteristic in solving other people's problems
@CheerfulRose @SoulfullyAButterfly @JennMarie2 @blissart @Theeflash @Aleks2 @AstronomySkies
We all share the same personality type 
Shall we create a group? :D
@sunflower2480 
@sunshineEars619 you could join us too :)
@sunflower2480 yes definitely! 
@sunflower2480 Yes that's nice🤭
@GlenM
Hey! I loved taking the test, it was really reflective.
My personality type is INFJ-A . It's an Advocate personality type.
My Main Personality Traits are Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging. (Judging here means organized!)
According to the 16 personalities results, "The Advocate personality type is very rare, making up less than one percent of the population, but they nonetheless leave their mark on the world. Advocates have an inborn sense of idealism and morality, but what sets them apart is that they are not idle dreamers. These individuals are capable of taking concrete steps to realize their goals and make a lasting positive impact.
People with this personality type tend to see helping others as their purpose in life. Advocates can often be found engaging in rescue efforts and doing charity work. However, their real passion is to get to the heart of the issue so that people need not be rescued at all.
Though soft-spoken, they have very strong opinions and will fight tirelessly for an idea they believe in. They are decisive and strong-willed, but will rarely use that energy for personal gain.
Advocates find it easy to make connections with others. They have a talent for warm, sensitive language, speaking in human terms, rather than with pure logic and fact."
Reading this description, made me realize the accuracy of this test. I discussed my results with my friends and families and they agreed with the results!
Some strengths of mine, gathered from my results and my friends and acquaintances are as follows:
1) Creative – Combining a vivid imagination with a strong sense of compassion, Advocates use their creativity to resolve not technical challenges, but human ones.
2) Insightful- 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.
3) Altruistic – These strengths are used for good. Advocates will not engage in any actions or promote beliefs just to benefit themselves. They have strong beliefs and take the actions that they do because they are trying to advance an idea that they truly believe will make the world a better place.
@sunshineEars619
This is great. I can relate to wanting to rescue or save everyone around me who needs help. I got adventurer but I believe we all have a sense of some traits in the personality types!
@shiningDay80 Hey! 
Yes, I totally agree with you, we all have different ratios of all qualities. Some traits are more dominant than others.
@sunshineEars619
I loved reading this, I like that you discussed it with your friends and family too :)
@glisteningEyes Thank you so much! 
@sunshineEars619
Hey there! sounds awesome, nice to meet a fellow INFJ. i am a INFJ-T.
@GlenM
The test and the program are wonderful! Thank you for this! 🙌
1. What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters, please.
The results say that I have the Protagonist personality type ENFJ-A
2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?
- I always believed that I was more turbulent than assertive but turns out it is the other way round and I think that's great!
- I learned that, with this personality type, I do have natural leadership skills. I will certainly hone them.
- According to the test, I could easily overburden myself, be overly idealistic and be too sensitive. I will work on these.
3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.
The results show that I am
- tolerant; which makes me a good team player and a good listener even when the other person's opinions are contradicting mine.
- reliable; The thought of letting a person down could be very upsetting for me. Thus it makes me easy to count on.
- altruistic. This quality is a binding factor which helps me use the other strengths to do good.
@Grace8402
It was interesting to read what you had learnt :)
Tolerant is such a good trait to have!
@glisteningEyes
Thank you so much!! q(≧▽≦q)
It was interesting 💜
@GlenM
1. What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters please : My personality type is Consul ESFJ-T
2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?: I an outgoing, but I can be self-centred, judgy at times. I am self-centred to protect myself and to get ahead in life. Other than that, I am observant and my goals are important to me. I can be warm to others as well.
3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them: My strengths are as follows according to the site-
Strong Practical Skills – Consuls are excellent managers of day-to-day tasks and routine maintenance, enjoying making sure that those who are close to them are well cared for.
Strong Sense of Duty – People with the Consul personality type have a strong sense of responsibility and strive to meet their obligations, though this may sometimes be more from a sense of social expectations than intrinsic drive.
Very Loyal – Valuing stability and security very highly, Consuls are eager to preserve the status quo, which makes them extremely loyal and trustworthy partners and employees. Consuls are true pillars of any groups they belong to – whether it is their family or a community club, people with this personality type can always be relied upon.
Sensitive and Warm – Helping to ensure that stability, Consul personalities seek harmony and care deeply about other peoples feelings, being careful not to offend or hurt anybody. Consuls are strong team players, and win-win situations are the stuff smiles are made of.
Good at Connecting with Others – These qualities come together to make Consuls social, comfortable and well-liked. Consul personalities have a strong need to belong, and have no problem with small talk or following social cues in order to help them take an active role in their communities.
@azuladragon34
It seems like you really took on this task and gave it your all!
I love that you used diffrent color fonts, that shows your personality as well :)
@glisteningEyes
Thanks Glist. Did you do the personality test as well?. If so, what is your personality?
@azuladragon34
You possess very good traits. I wish you the best in your journey.
I think our personalities must be rare! Just searched the whole thread and finally found you who is also a ESFJ-T personality ! ❤️@azuladragon34
Hi @azuladragon34! I am a Turbulent Defender, ISFJ-T. It seems like we share all the traits except for the introvert / extrovert. It was interesting to read the differences the one letter created in our strengths. Also love how you color coded your post!
@azuladragon34 i get along with ESFJ the best you guys have a strong sense of duty indeed !!
@GlenM
Personality Type: Turbulent Advocate (INFJ-T)
Main things I learned: That I am a private person, I like sincere relationships and that I have a strong sense of equality. Also, that apparently less than 1% of the population is INFJ-T!
Top 3 strengths/gifts:
1- I am insightful ( I like to have meaningful and honest discussions).
2- I am altruistic (I don't like to engage in actions or beliefs that only benefit me and no one else.)
3- I am creative ( I like finding new ways to help people.)
@GlenM
It didn't post all of what I wrote. I also wrote that I learned that although I care and like to help that it is important to take care of myself because I can burn out easily and tend to take on more than I should.
@bookworm274 it seems like we have lots in common
@sunflower2480
We do? That's cool! What personality type are you?
@bookworm274
Those are lovely strengths to have!
Learning how to not burn out is something I struggle with too.
@glisteningEyes
Yes! Definitely something I struggle with, I just want to do everything all at once!
@bookworm274
oh wow we have a lot in common :0 Let's make a INFJ group 😈 *noms all INFJ*
@anonymouslistener23
We do? 
I rarely meet people similar to me! Yay! *noms back*
@bookworm274 Hello fellow INFJ! I think we have a lot in common!! <3 :)
@Readylistener
Hello!
@bookworm274
We have the same personality. Awesome!
@Vintagechoc
Hello, fellow INFJ-T!
1. ANTP Logician/Debator
2. What I learnt?
When I took this test the first time, years ago, I realized finally that there is actually a way to classify people based on their personality and which is accurate too. Over 90% of about-myself, I found it to be true. This also made me realize that this is a rare MBTI type and hence, it made more sense of why I couldn't relate to people around me and why I was spending more time learning variety of stuff.
3. My Key strengths according to both, my MBTI and my personal experience are
a. Creative/Innovative : I have been creative since childhood. I prefer DIY over a handyman. I love creating stuff, real as well as online, to keep my brain occupied and satisfied.
b. Flexible/Adaptible : I can live in surroundings that others find uncomfortable. Of course, that doesn't mean that one should do it, but yes I can be in an out of something without being addicted or dependent on something.
c. Analytical : I analyze everything. I have an excel sheet for almost every important aspect of my life. It's like a hobby. It's rare but it does give me joy. Of course, there are subjective things that are hard to analyze, and for that, we have a science called, Psychology. Being creative and analytical together makes me a High IQ - problem-solver.
I know we had to mention 3, but hey, I am flexible :)
d. Confidence: I keep it last because confidence is the factor that makes me both INTP/ENTP. When I am confident I am latter and vice versa. I feel confident when I am done analyzing something or when I don't feel the need to analyze something. So, yeah. I am not confident all the time, but when I am, I am unbeatable.
@DonaldDraper
I love how you ended your summary and how you described it all, was an interesting read :)
@DonaldDraper I love what you've said about there basically being this process where you analyze/investigate things and then once you're satisfied that you've explored it deeply enough, you have this trust that your results are solid/reliable and worth feeling confident about.
Also got a chuckle out of what you said about analyzing subjective things. There's a spreadsheet for that too! Just have to set it up a little differently ("flexible/adaptable" and "creative/innovative"). 
@DonaldDraper
Thats really detailed and i like how you combined the test and your own experence.
1. What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters please
Meditor (INFP-T)
2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?
I learned that I see the good in people rather than the bad. I also found out that I tend to listen to a lot of people but only talk to a certain amount.
3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.
Passionate and Energetic - When something caputures my imagination, I put all my efforts and time into it. I'm also the first to lend a helping hand to someone who needs it.
Open minded and Flexible - I tend to support others beliefs and ideologies as long as others don't challenge me on my perspective
Seek and Value Harmony - I work hard to make sure every voice and perspective is heard.
@ashlyntheordinary
You have some very lovely strengths
@ashlyntheordinary that looks like we have alot in common 😊 jist that i am more on the assertive end 😊
@ashlyntheordinary
I'm also INFP-T (there seems to be quite a few of us)
passionate & energetic is a lovely strength to have :)
@ashlyntheordinary Yay another Mediator!! I'm also an INFP-T 
~ Lex ☀️ | Take careo and eat oreos 👋🏿❤️🍪
@ashlyntheordinary
I'm INFP-T to
@healingWhisper
Ayyy! This is amazing! :D The army of meditors are growing stronger :P but on a serious level, it's a good personality to have and it shows that you're always there for people when they need you :)
@GlenM
1. What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters, please
INFJ-A, Advocate.
2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?
I learned that this personality type is very rare with comprising less than 1% of the population which means I am a rare species & I am feeling extremely special right now. :P
-Jokes apart, I learned that majority of the things are so accurate in my case. For instance, egalitarianism & karma being attractive ideas. Believing that nothing would help the world so much as using love & compassion to soften the hearts of tyrants.
-Relationships with me are not for the uncommitted or shallow people.
-Quality prevails over quantity for me in everything.
-I seek mental & spiritual connection rather than physical.
3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.
For me, they are:
Inspiring & convincing - Fluid, inspirational writing style that appeals to the inner idealist in their audience. I personally believe that I can convince people and I can inspire them with not only my actions but also with my words. I am convinced that my actions, beliefs, words are that powerful.
Decisive & insightful - I am truly able to follow through my ideas with conviction, willpower & planning wherever necessary to see a complex project through to the end. I can see through dishonesty & disingenuous motives. My in-depth observing trait lets me see the connection between people & events so I use this trait to help me help others with their problems.
Determined & passionate - I pursue my goals with tremendous energy & faith that can catch others off-guard. My passion for the chosen cause is an inseparable part of me and I am proud of my all the strength.
I am working on my weaknesses day & night.
@lyricalAngel70
It's always good to feel special :D
working on your weaknesses is great but don't forget to appreciate your strengths too!
@glisteningEyes
I couldn't agree more! :D
I definitely appreciate my strengths. Thank you for that reminder though.
"working on your weaknesses is great but don't forget to appreciate your strengths too!" That's really important
@lyricalAngel70 I also got INFJ and what you mention about preferring deep, meaningful relationships and quality over quantity definitely resonated for me too.
I read your strengths section and started imagining a superhero. 
Especially the part about being able to write or do things and have that be something incredibly potent that can transform your surroundings. It feels like it makes even small actions super-charged with meaning/significance. (Sort of like Godzilla is so powerful that a sneeze might wipe out a forest.)
@QuietMagic
Hi partner, glad to know that we share so many things in common.
What are the other things in relation to the INFJ personality that was accurate about you?
Hahaha, well, your superhero comment did make me chuckle. 🤭
But you do have a creative mind and ideas which brings me to the very first strenth of INFJ personality & I agree. 😊
The thing is that I have an influencing tendency. My active & positive vibe attracts people. And I am so proud of it cuz I've inspired so many people already by my actions & words.
@lyricalAngel70
Thanks for the kind words. That influencing tendency sounds like something really meaningful and satisfying, to deeply trust that what you do is having a positive effect on the world around you. Is creating that positive vibe something you've always felt you're naturally able to do, or is it something that's developed over time?
Re: what else I relate to in INFJ, I apologize that this is a non-sequitur, but what feels sort of urgent to me right now or where my mind wants to go with that question... is to express how I relate to the idea of "INFJ" as a concept/identity. There are a few different ways I might possibly think about it:
- To say that I am essentially/permanently an INFJ
- To say that I am sometimes an INFJ but sometimes other MBTI types
- To say that I'm not any MBTI type but there are MBTI dimensions (e.g. introversion/extraversion, intuition/sensation, etc.) on which I vary
- To say that there are neither MBTI types nor dimensions, but they are useful ways of describing patterns or one can draw inspiration/benefit from them
- To say that there are neither MBTI types nor dimensions, and I feel happier discarding them in favor of other language
Most of the time, I'm in #4 or #5.
- In #4, reading an INFJ description feels sort of like reading a novel and there being a fictional character that I like and feel attached to. They're fictional, but it could still be extraordinarily helpful to identify with them. Reading about them could help me grow, heal, or understand my own experience.
- In #5, I start reading the novel and it doesn't feel like something I enjoy, so I put it down and read a different novel. Or if I can't find anything I like, I write my own novel and make my own characters that I like.
@WatchingOverYou
Have you taken the test already? If you haven't, you must as this is so interesting! 😍
Please let us all know about your amazing personality. 😎
@lyricalAngel70
I haven't yet, perhaps in the past, a similar kind of test... Nevertheless, I am really eager to take the test, yes!
Sure thing, I'll post the results 😋😎
@WatchingOverYou
Alright, sure, please do!
We are eagerly waiting. ❤
@lyricalAngel70
Brilliant, twinnie! 😀😀😁😁🤩🤩
@WatchingOverYou
PS - Also, you might wanna check on my answers, I just posted it as I'm getting ahead with the LDP.
@lyricalAngel70
Hi5 angel, I too am a fellow infj advocate and can relate a lot 🤭🤭
@GlenM
This is a fun way to start a work day! :)
1. What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters please
Miediator - INFP-T
2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?
Mediators are good listeners, and take on roles that appeal and have "purity of intent" rather than based on recognition and reward. We're creative and strongly desire to understand our purpose in the world. I have to watch how much energy I invest into something - Mediators will focus their attention on just a few people, a single worthy cause – spread too thinly, theyll run out of energy, and even become dejected and overwhelmed by all the bad in the world that they cant fix. This is a sad sight for Mediators friends, who will come to depend on their rosy outlook. I have to watch if I go into "hermit mode". And I look at the world with a view that inspires compassion, kindness and beauty.
3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.
Creative
Idealistic
Dedicated and hard-working; open-minded and flexible
And wow... does the explanation of the turbulent mediator ever strike a chord with me....
Turbulent personality types are typically not comfortable with their current lives. They often use this dissatisfaction to try to become better people. However, when applied to Mediators, this Turbulent quality spins them in a distinct direction. They are likely to use a strongly idealistic filter to assess where and how they need to improve. This drive to correct what they decide are flaws often pushes them to work hard.
But idealism is a demanding standard. Turbulent Mediators are apt to ask too much of themselves and become overwhelmed. When they dont meet their unyielding (perhaps at times unreasonable) goals, they are likely to be hard on themselves. Self-criticism rings true for any Turbulent individual. But, for these personalities, their imaginations and sensitivity may magnify the damage caused by negative self-talk. Even the smallest flaw may seem more significant than it is. They are more likely to see a mistake as a reason to doubt themselves.
Opinions weigh more heavily on Turbulent Mediators. Having concern for what others think is a typical quality in most Turbulent personality types. But Turbulent Mediators may feel this concern more deeply. Combine their Turbulent nature, the sensitivity that is a core feature of their type, and their ever-changing interests, and together, these features leave them always checking in with others. They often seek the views of the people in their lives to quiet or confirm their nagging doubts.
As people-centric individuals with lingering uncertainty, Turbulent Mediators naturally go to others for encouragement and feedback. Since they value opinions, these personalities are also more likely to take note when people speak. Both types of Mediators tend to see themselves as good listeners, but valuing others opinions likely adds to Turbulent Mediators ability to pay attention.
@WonderfulRainbows2862
As a fellow Turbulent Mediator, this really hit home for me as well!
Ivy 🐑
@WonderfulRainbows2862
I'm also an INFP-T
The descriptions of it gave me goosebumps!
Your outlook on it was refreshing to read :)
@WonderfulRainbows2862 As a Turbulent Mediator, I can strongly relate to this. I'm always trying to improve myself. And my interests are never constant. Never ever ever 😂 I also rely too much on what people think of me. It's kinda comforting to see that there are others out there who also feel the same way I do
~ Lex ☀️ | Take careo and eat oreos 👋🏿❤️🍪
@WonderfulRainbows2862 you too twinny 😁
