BIZ102-Understanding People and Organizations

Assessment: Reflective Journal 2: Clifton Strengths Finder by Gallup

7/11/2021

Student name: Minh Quang Nguyen

Student ID: A00031860
Teacher: Wesley Leake
Word count: 712
Self-assessment is considered a method to help us recognize our strengths and weaknesses,
thereby improving and promoting. Through my Clifton Strengths Survey, I realized that each of
us is different and this difference is the basis for distinguishing us from others. Therefore, I
suppose it is extremely necessary to find out your strengths since it provides us with a holistic
view of talents that considered our strengths and helps us to be more conscious of any "blind
spots" caused by our talents.

Figure 1: CliftonStrengths Assessment Results.

https://torrensanz.gallup.com/signin/default.aspx

According to the Clifton Strengths Assessment, I have learned to identify and promote my
strengths through realizing my talents and unremitting efforts. Sindell & Sindell (2015, p. 9)
stated that natural strengths are a combination of talents, the knowledge required, skills, where
talents play a key role in determining the strong points. Through the survey, I also learned that
only acquiring more knowledge and practicing hard can only help me turn from being good to
being excellent in my fields of talent, thus helping me shape and promoting my own strength.
Besides, I also learned that it is very helpful if I know where my weaknesses are, to know which
areas need improvement because weaknesses are what hinder success. As Matson and
Robinson (2017) claimed that, "perceiving a weakness helps them avoid obstacles".
When contrasted the Clifton Strengths Assessment's analysis of my talents with my self-
awareness. I completely agree with these analysis results about my talents such as
Responsibility, Deliberative, Individualization, and Relator. However, I was surprised that
Harmony is evaluated as a talent of mine. I am a person who does not like to be dragged into
conflicts, frictions, or arguments, but I usually must face them in my work and relationships.
Most of the conflicts occur due to disagreements and views between the two sides and the
failure to give a common voice. At that time, I will proactively come up with the most beneficial
solution for both parties and for the majority. Because I simply think that I do not like arguing
with people, it does not bring me satisfaction, my life will be easier without conflicts and friction,
and I supposed this as it is obvious that anyone can do it and do not think it is evaluated as my
talent.

In my relatives’ eyes, I was resonated as a person with responsibility, to me is not only a talent,
but it is also a part of the strength that effectively supports me in life. For me, responsibility is an
indispensable element to make our lives more complete. When I am assigned for any job, I
always try to complete it perfectly and on time. Moreover, I always try to give the best care and
attention to my family and close ones. Observing, asking, encouraging, and assisting are the
things I think are best when I show my responsibility to everyone.

Clifton Strengths assessment helped me to identify my top talents, and the specific analysis will
help me choose the right orientation positions for my future career. With the knowledge, skills,
and hard training, will help me turn my talents into my strengths to help me reach out and
advance in work and life. According to Vicki Tkachuck stated that: "The neat thing about my
Strengths is that I've actually been able to use my Strengths to even create my position. It was a
position that didn't exist before I came and so I've been able to customize it and tailor it to fit my
Strengths, which has been great” (CliftonStrenght, 3:35).

In the future, I think the biggest challenge for my career is how to build strong and reliable
relationships with many people. Management job requires me to approach, learn types of
people, to make appropriate decisions. Therefore, I think that the Individualization talent theme
will be the most effective assistant to support me in my future career. As a manager, this talent
will help me see the unique qualities of each person, thereby selecting and appointing them to
the right jobs, helping to grow my business.

In conclusion, capturing your talents and turning them into strengths is extremely important to
achieving success in your career. Although the future career has many difficulties and
challenges, but knowing how to use your talents and strengths, you will overcome those
obstacles easily.

Reference:

CliftonStrengths. (2017). How CliftonStrengths Development Helps People Improve

Careers. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6BhSqyz0CQ
Milo Sindell, & Thuy Sindell. (2015). Hidden Strengths : Unleashing the Crucial
Leadership Skills You Already Have. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
http://search.ebscohost.com.torrens.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=941361&site=ehost-live
Matson, T., & Robinson, J. (2017). The Rewarding Work of Turning Talents Into
Strengths. Gallup.Com. https://news.gallup.com/businessjournal/202526/hard-
work-turning-talents-strengths.aspx?
g_source=CLIFTON_STRENGTHS&g_medium=topic&g_campaign=tiles
Gallup, Inc. (2021). CliftonStrengths Assessment Results [Image].

https://torrensanz.gallup.com/home/default.aspx