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.
@GlenM
1. What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters please
INFJ-T
2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?
I've done this test previously so I was super curious to see if I got the same result — I did! It's been ages since I've thought about it though, so I got some reminders about the fact of how much I value authenticity and deeper conversations, rather than keeping to the surface. Also was reminded of my tendency to burn out because of perfectionism, which is definitely something I need to work on!
3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.
Creative: INFJs enjoy looking for the best solutions and so use their imaginations to guide them and work out how best to do things
Insightful: INFJs try to look past the surface level appearances to get to the centre of the matter, or of people, or of a situation
Principled: INFJs tend to have really strong beliefs that are very firmly held
@GlitteringNights
I too have taken the test several times and it was all the same except I am older and not more introverted. There is a lot of value in authenticity and deep conversations, deep conversations seem to fill the cup. I love that you are insightful; insightful people are much needed in meetings and such so decisions can be made a bit more quickly.
@GlenM
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 sometimes in many situations even without realizing I tend to follow my heart and emotions than reason and i often become excessive in my concern for others. I'm are much more flexible when it comes to dealing with unexpected challenges and this flexibility helps me seize unexpected opportunities as well.
I always feel the need to do more, to have more, and to be more but i can be caught up in endless thoughts of criticisms, slights, or regrets and this can bog me down or motivate me to do better.
3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.
Strengths:
Thoughtful, I care about others feelings and I tend to adjust my actions if I think that I may have hurt someone even unintentionally.
Open-Minded, I'm tolerant about others peoples beliefs, lifestyle and decisions and I believe that people can live the way they want to live and do whatever they want to do, as long no one is being hurt.
Creative, I often see things from an unconventional perspective and my capacity to make surprising and unexpected connections it’s no wonder that I'm drawn to creative and pursuits to arts.
@KACOSMIC
We are twinsies!! 
Being thoughtful, open-minded and creative are great strenthgs to have. 
@GlenM
What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters please Â
Mediator-INFP-T
What were the main things you learned about yourself?
I have taken this test several times for work or school. I have always gotten E-Extrovert (ENFP), but close points to Introvert. I have not taken this in probably 10 years, and I am a strong introvert this time around; however, the same in all other areas. This is accurate as I like spending time alone and fill my energy recharged spending time alone.
How it described me was pretty accurate and weaknesses I have worked on and still must keep in mind. I avoided criticism and feedback and the last decade I seek constructive criticism and find it helpful. I also avoid conflict but have gotten a lot better at being okay with conflict, most of the time. I think it comes with my job and practice.
“…a career that doesn’t just take care of the bills but also feels fulfilling. They want to spend their days doing something they genuinely love, preferably without too much stress or drama. For these personalities, an ideal professional life should feel like a calling, not just a job.”
This statement really stuck out and I laughed. My current career is one listed on the list of jobs a mediator may find themselves doing. I do love my job, but like it said about mediators, we do not like bureaucracy or a job with drama.
I can say it was accurate, a few minor things that were not, such as “not being a social butterfly at work.” I do appreciate the strengths and weakness, the weakness I can see how being aware of these we can strengthen them.
What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.
Thoughtful-Mediators are thoughtful and kind to others.
Generous-Mediators are big on equality and believe everyone voices and thoughts are heard.
Open-Minded-Mediators give people the benefit of the doubt. We are tolerant of other people’s beliefs, choices, and cultures. “Mediators support others’ right to live as they see fit – as long as no one is being hurt.”
What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters please Â
ISFP-T .
What were the main things you learned about yourself?
I learned that Adventures are great at exploring and experiencing new things and I really think that's true. Also I am a very open person and can act with amazing charity and selflessness but can be a little self-centered as well.
What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.
Charming: likable, relaxed and warm.
Sensitive to others: can easily relate to others’ emotions and help them to establish harmony.
Imaginative: highly aware of others emotions and use insight and creativity to create confident ideas.
@sia1325 That's really cool! I wonder what kind of adventures you've been on?
@sia1325
I`m ISFP-T as well <3
Oh no, I`m INFP-T... well, quite close, right? haha
@sia1325 I have the same personality type!! It's awesome to be honest and I'm sure you're a great person!
@sia1325 your personality type sounds really cool! your top 3 traits must make you a great listener! :)
@sia1325 That's great you seem to have potential to go great things with having both imagination and adventourous nature.
@sia1325
I love how one of your strength is that you can easily relate to others’ emotions and help them to establish harmony! It's something that I want to be good at too! Take care
1. What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters please.
INFJ-A
2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?
I learned that sensitivity and burnout can be triggering for me.
3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.
My strengths are:
Creativity - which is supported by my abilities as an art and yoga therapist!
Insight - to look beyond physical perceptions and target invisible intentions
Devotion - finding the meaning in things and focus on thriving rather than surviving
@thehealingmaat
These strengths are amazing!!!
And you are an arts and yoga therapist 😍 wow I always wanted to learn more abt art therapy ❤️
@thehealingmaat I do relate to the burnouts part tho. But those traits backed up with real life experiences is fantastic
@thehealingmaat hey! you're an infj? when I meet infjs theyre often so sweet plus I like the way you linked one of your strengths in with yourself! an arts and yoga therapist sounds amazing!
@thehealingmaat
This is sounds so awesome, and accurate considering you re pursuing the arts.
I wish you so much success in the field!
@GlenM
My personality type:
Advocate
INFJ-A
What I learned about myself:
I often find it difficult to open up about me and my struggles. I learned that how it can affect my relationships. [I have started on that area already though.] I am a person who likes perfectionist. I used to think that it is a good trait but, I learned that because this trait I can find it hard to appericiate my jobs, relationship, and the situations of my life. It is true that I always get trapped in trying to fix things which always gets me frustrated. The helped me see a clear vision of ths things I have been trying to "fix". And I am looking forward to work on them.
My Top 3 Strengths:
Creativity:
I enjoy finding perfect solution for people. I have a great sense of compassion and imagination.
Open-Mindedness:
I am open to learning new things and discussing about any topic. My open-mindedness gives me a better sense of understanding and judgement.
Principled:
I hold really deep and strong beliefs. Which makes me an inspring communicator and I believe that it makes me stand out.
I truly think people should stand up for what they Believe In to make a different . @Mishi1053
@GlenM
1. What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters please .
INFP-T (Turbulent Mediator)
2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?
I`m an altruist and have a vivid imagination. I`m very creative and my imagination helps me get through certain issues!
3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.
- I`m thoughtful: Mediators care about other`s feelings
- I`m open-minded: I tend to give other people the benefit of the doubt.
- I`m creative: Mediators can often see things from unconventional perspectives.
@Ines1229
It is wonderful that you keep an open mind and creativity is something everyone desires. :)
@GlenM
1. What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters please
My type is INFJ <3
2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?.
Having a sense of idealist but actually taking concert steps towards it not just stopping at daydreaming.Yes, I agree,
3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.
1.Creative – Advocate personalities enjoy finding the perfect solution for the people they care about. To do this, they draw on their vivid imagination and their strong sense of compassion. This can make them excellent counselors and advisors.
2.Insightful – Advocates typically strive to move past appearances and get to the heart of things. This can give them an almost uncanny ability to understand people’s true motivations, feelings, and needs.
3.Altruistic – Advocates generally aim to use their strengths for the greater good – they rarely enjoy succeeding at other people’s expense. They tend to think about how their actions affect others, and their goal is to behave in a way that will help the people around them and make the world a better place.
I think. That will help you go far on cups . Best of luck. @LightofWorld
@LightofWorld
Oh! I am Advocate INFJ too. *high fives* I hope these strengths help you both in your personal and professional journey. All the best.
@GlenM
The test was real fun and gave put interesting results, here are my results :
1. My personality is Advocte INFJ-A
2. I learned that Advocates are rarest personalities of all and that they have a deep sense of idealism and integrity, but they aren’t idle dreamers – they take concrete steps to realize their goals and make a lasting impact.
Advocates stand up for what's right and fight for it
Advocates maybe reserved but they communicate in a way that is warm and sensitive and also that they value deep authentic relationships and make powerful impressions on people around them.
Advocates do not care about the cost of success they are so focussed on their ideas that they do not care much for themselves.
3. Top 3 strenghts:
- Creative: Advocate personalities enjoy finding the perfect solution for the people they care about.
- Insightful: Advocates typically strive to move past appearances and get to the heart of things. This can give them an ability to understand people’s true motivations, feelings, and needs
- Passionate – Advocates can pursue their ideals with a single-mindedness that may catch others off guard.
Some people with Advocate personality were - Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa and Marie Kondo.
@beautifulSeal9714
These are some good strengths to have!
@GlenM
1. What is your personality type? Include your 4 letters please
INFJ-T
2. What were the main things you learned about yourself?
- I am a born leader.
- My energy comes from determination.
- I love intelluctual and philosophical conversations.
3. What are your top 3 strengths or gifts according to this test? Please describe them.
- I have the ability to do great things when I put my mind to it.
- I have a natural understanding of human beings and how they work.
- I am creative and determined.
I have done the test before, but I did it again. Thank you for this lesson.
@MyNameIsNicole
Those are good traits to. Have and I hope you will go far on cups.
@MyNameIsNicole
Thats Great that you I have the ability to do great things when I put my mind to it.
Have you set your mind to anything big lately ?