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PL 101: Understanding Your Gifts and Strengths from the MBTI (Discussion 2)

GlenM June 29th, 2020

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.

Work Alignment Diagram

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.

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TortueDesBois August 29th, 2020

Logistician ISTJ-A

Mind This trait determines how we interact with our environment. 0% EXTRAVERTED 100% INTROVERTED

Energy This trait shows where we direct our mental energy. 28% INTUITIVE 72% OBSERVANT

Nature This trait determines how we make decisions and cope with emotions. 86% THINKING 14% FEELING

Tactics This trait reflects our approach to work, planning and decision-making. 82% JUDGING 18% PROSPECTING

Identity This trait underpins all others, showing how confident we are in our abilities and decisions. 58% ASSERTIVE 42% TURBULENT


Honest and Direct, Responsible. Calm and Practical

1 reply
rebecca947 September 19th, 2020

@TortueDesBois

Hey, Tort! Wow, 100% introverted! I've not come across someone as that, that's cool.

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Irena0225 August 29th, 2020

Hi! Below are my answers:

1. My personality type is Campaigner(ENFP-A)

2. The main things I learned about myself are that I tend to embrace big ideas and actions that reflect my sense of hope and goodwill towards others. I love making connections with people, with the animals, and with society. These social and emotional connections make me feel better than the sheer excitement and pleasure at the moment.

3. My top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test are excellent communicators, know how to relax and very popular and friendly.

Campaigners like me have strong people skills, they love no matter what kinds of conversations, we are adept at steering conversations towards our desired subjects and in ways that feel natural and unforced.

Know how to relax and have fun sometimes is also really important because nothing is more important than having fun in your lives:-)We know when to shake up and burst our energies.

We are super approachable, interesting and exciting. Also cooperative, friendly and empathetic deposition. We can get along with pretty much everyone:))

1 reply
freshMint9376 September 9th, 2020

@Irena0225

Wow you do sound like a very easy-going person! I could see how you would be friends with just about everyone (:

pro21 October 11th, 2020

@Irena0225

Hi, you have got really nice results..

Mind teaching me how to open up a bit ? ;)

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ahealingEndoftherainbow22 August 31st, 2020

My Personality Type- INFP-T (Mediator)

The thing that I learned about myself- we are true idealists, always looking for the hint of good in even the worst of people and events, searching for ways to make things better. We are led by the purity of their intent, not rewards and punishments.

My 3 strengths according to the test are Idealistic, Very Creative, Open-Minded and Flexible.

Loved taking this test :)

1 reply
lovelyNight9853 September 14th, 2020

@ahealingEndoftherainbow22

I am an idealist too! It's important to stick to the positives.

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Saquib16 September 1st, 2020

@GlenM @Heather225

1. What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters, please?

Answer: My Personality is Advocate- INFJ-T.

2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?

Answer: I am capable of taking concrete steps to realize goals and make a lasting positive impact. I am decisive and strong-willed, but will rarely use that energy for personal gain.

3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.

Answer: My top 3 strengths are-

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 – Seeing through dishonesty and disingenuous motives, Advocates step past manipulation and sales tactics and into a more honest discussion.

3. 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.

2 replies
GentleFlameofCaring September 3rd, 2020

@Saquib16

I love seeing you around the site and it sounds like there are similarities as to how we approach things. it's cool to see.

InvaderStitch September 11th, 2020

@Saquib16

I also got advocate. What I find interesting is that the test says it's very rare, yet there are so many of us in this discussion. I feel like it's because the type of work that we do here just draws in advocate types. What do you think?

1 reply
CintaBali September 15th, 2020

@InvaderStitch

Hi Invader - Thanks for the interesting question - I thought that one more plausible answer might be that people with the advocate personality type type might often avoid taking personality tests - after all, advocate personailites are described as intorverted. This would certainly lead to the statistics which currently exist for MBTI - type tests. I think that it is important to anticipate that the leadership program, just like the listener program, will involve personalities of all types. Congratulations on your result - advocate sounds like a beautiful personality type

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SynSavory September 1st, 2020

My personality is INTJ. I learned that:

1) I am an advocate for others.

2) I think large-scale.

3) I like to help better the world.

My top 3 skills are empathy, kindness and resourcefulness.

1 reply
SynSavory September 9th, 2020

@SynSavory

Empathy - suggesting honest intent towards others and understanding their plight, fostering validation.

Kindness - being polite is the best thing to do, the others may be used to vitriol so they need a safe space from me.

Resourcefulness - I like reading a lot and can draw upon multiple concepts across multiple fields to make sense of a situation.

2 replies
InvaderStitch September 11th, 2020

@SynSavory

Resourcefulness is a great strength to have and I think will give you a lot to offer as a leader!

SophieWX September 13th, 2020

@SynSavory

Those three skills sounds like a wonderful combination to have, they should be very useful.

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Endure777 September 10th, 2020

@SynSavory

Thanks for sharing! Being resourceful in a world that is running short on resource, or where resources lack in certain areas, is a good trait to have. It will definitely assist you in helping others and take you far!

StarlitSky4762 September 12th, 2020

@SynSavory those are some awesome skills to have! You must be really good at helping people!

WynterRose April 6th, 2021

@SynSavory

Good to meet a fellow INTJ and nice summary!

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KACOSMIC September 2nd, 2020

@GlenM

I believe that it is always important and valuable to identify and build our strengths. I definitely loved to take this personality test.

1. What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters please .

My personality type is:

Turbulent Mediator

INFP-T

2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?

I learned that i don't need to change who i am, that i have a brilliant inner flame, even if others dont always notice it – and even if myself don't always appreciate it, that i forget to take care of my needs first than to take care of the others people in my life.
My challenge is: to step beyond mere dreams of good intentions and turn them into reality, also that growth is a balance between staying true to themselves while adapting to the world around me.

3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.

1- Very Creative – I can combine my visionary nature with my open-mindedness that allow me to see things from unconventional perspectives.

2- Passionate and Energetic – When something captures my imagination and speaks to my beliefs, i go all in, dedicating my time, energy, thoughts and emotions to the project.

3- Seek and Value Harmony – I have no interest in having power over others, and dont much care for domineering attitudes at all. I prefer a more democratic approach, and work hard to ensure that every voice and perspective is heard.

1 reply
GentleFlameofCaring September 3rd, 2020

@KACOSMIC

Its cool to see others get the same thing. see the energy and optimism is a contagious thing.

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GentleFlameofCaring September 3rd, 2020

@GlenM

1. What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters please

I am an INFP-T, a Mediator.

2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?

I'm part of 4% who are this type. I am gifted in self expression, and always working to create harmony. The intrigue with fantasy world also strikes a cord as I had a conversation with a friend about where they would ideally live and work.

3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.

Top 3 strengths are:

Idealistic: With the idealism, harmony is a stong partner. I strive to see the world in the best light which involves people working together and getting along with a common goal.

Creative: creativity cames from seeing things and expressing them in unconventional ways, as they feel right. Creativity can often be seen couled with flexibility as rules may be sidelined.

Driven: I use this to combine the passion, energy and dedication. essentially see an opportunity and they will grind the stones to make it happen.

3 replies
freshMint9376 September 9th, 2020

@GentleFlameofCaring

Interesting! One of my traits was 'decisive' and it's coll how that's similar to but also different than 'driven'.

Endure777 September 10th, 2020

@GentleFlameofCaring

Being driven is a great trait to have! It means you are willing ot get things done! I found awesome that you are at one with the fantasy world as that is also important in the adult world where people start to lack in creativity. Anyone can be creative if they try, but being one with the fantasy world definitely takes it up a notch.

CompassionateDreamer8522 September 10th, 2020

@GentleFlameofCaring What an amazing balance you have there! How do you manage to keep those all healthy and happy parts of yourself?

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Daf8 September 9th, 2020

heart Hi! How are you? heart

heart I already knew, but I m a... heart

heart INFJ-T heart

heart Even if I think and know that there s more, my results are 1000% accurate. heart

heart One day, I readed something that made feel not special: with my results, I learned that people like me make up less than the 1% of the population! That and other things about me make me really special. heart

heart In these kind of tests, I always had a mixture of results. I was always in the middle of all the examined virtues. With this test, I learned that I am "an unique combination of traits". Even if I have trouble believing it, I m kind of the ultimate combo. heart

heart According to the test, I am highly altruistic: that means I want the good and only the good thing for everyone. I don t want to benefit myself, I want to benefit the entire world. And I do fight for my best interest: the thing is that my best interest is a good cause. heart

heart I am also an idealist: I have a lot of ideas about how the world should be. I think about everyone s best interest, and I mentally build possible solutions. Basically, I use my brain to solve problems and resolve challenges, but the important thing is that I easily focus on human issues and what to do to work them out. heart

heart The thing is that I am also determined: I do have ideas, but I do take action. This means I ll do whatever I can to actually work it out! Once I figured it out, I ll "rock the boat if I must". And I know I ll do what I have to do for my good cause with passion and joy. heart

heart As I said, there s more! heart

heart Have an amazing (just like you) day! heart

2 replies
freshMint9376 September 9th, 2020

@Daf8

Hey we got the same result! I agree that we are the ultimate combo in a way, but without people of different personalities I don't know where we'd be!

1 reply
Daf8 September 9th, 2020

heart @freshMint9376 heart

heart Thank you for your answer! That's a whole topic to discuss! Fortunately, we have time to explore the diversity heart

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freshMint9376 September 9th, 2020

I am a INFJ.

The main thing I learned is that I am well suited to help others.

My strengths:

Creative - I can imagine new solutions.

Inspiring and Convincing - I can inspire people to join my cause.

Decisive - I act on my insights.

1 reply
rebecca947 September 19th, 2020

@freshMint9376

Hey, Mint! I love that, good thing you found this site then ;) I hope you find a job that works to your personality as well!

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Endure777 September 10th, 2020

@GlenM

1. What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters please

ENFJ-A / ENFJ-T

2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?

I learned that Protagonist's (ENFJ-A/ENFJ-T) are natural born leaders. We love going out of our way to help others, even at our own demise sometimes. We our outgoing and usually the "life of the party" at social events. We tend to over-analyze ourselves and emotions and it can cloud our judgement sometimes, but we are very intuitive people and can relate to just about anyone.

3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.

According to this test, three strengths I have are; tolerant, reliable, and charismatic. Being tolerant means they are team players and open-minded. To be reliable means that people can count on you to be there when you say you will be there, and do what you say you will do. Being charismatic, or having charm, means that we are good talkers and know how to draw a crow, or be the "center of attention".

1 reply
rebecca947 September 19th, 2020

@CognitiveACE

Hiya, Ace! A natural born leader- I'm sure I'll see you around the site then, after this course ;) I love life of the party people, especially for an awkward being like me. :p

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