Tried & Tested: Learning My Strengths

In an attempt to learn more about her leadership style – and intrinsic behaviour in general – LYNETTE BOTHA assessment to the test

I’m an empath. This is something I’m hyper-aware of. I am very in tune with – and affected by – the emotions and moods of those around me. What I didn’t know, though, is that this is my number-one leadership trait too – and that it’s actually a positive characteristic to possess.

How I discovered that this is my main ‘theme’, as it’s referred to, was through the CliftonStrengths® test, a psychometric assessment developed to help people discover their natural areas of motivation and talent. The test, developed in the USA and locally available via Simon and Dee Hurry (human strategy.co.za), measures an individual’s unique ranking of 34 Signature themes. Each theme represents a core motivational drive and associated area of natural talent.

‘Theoretically, no two people have the same rank order for all 34 themes, which is what generates our uniqueness, as it is the interrelationship between each of the Signature themes and the importance we naturally attach to each of them that gives rise to a person’s areas of talent and behaviour,’ says Dee.