Strengthsfinders 2.0

James N. Lanza Jr.

Tom Rees

PST 443 

Strength Building

After completing the strength finder test and reading over my signature theme results I initially felt humbled. When I think about them not in a boastful manner I believe they do make up my personality and character. Developer was the first strength revealed in my test, which has to do with the potential I see in others.  I feel that I have grown to know that all things are possible thru Christ and God expects us to apply our faith operating in our abilities. Secondly was belief and I do feel that I have a moral fiber character, believing it is essential, as character is defined as who you are when no one is watching. Having a strong core of value and standard keeps me real and that is essentially all I expect of others is to be true to who they are in Christ. The third signature theme discovered to me was restorative meaning problem solver. I was pleased to see this one shine as I believe I am being called to counseling therefore enjoying the challenge and analyzing symptoms, identifying the problem but most importantly finding a solution speaks to the core of my call and is essential to the previous two, developer and belief. The fourth quality is activator believing action is the best devise for learning. An area I believe for me a balance is needed. If I see an area that I possess the skill to complete the task I am all in but without a balance other things may suffer do to my intensity of wanting to tackle this new task at hand. Lastly responsibility…. My perfectionism is revealed to me. I do like to fix things and want it done correctly. I see there is the right way to get something done and then a wrong way. Excuse’s do bother me I rarely allow myself to give excuse I prefer to take ownership, of “yes I dropped the ball, please forgive me.” Shafting a responsibility will happen I get that, for me I just find it better to take the responsibility either way.   

In Summary as I am sure anyone can, I see good and bad in some of the so called strengths that have been described to define me. The fifth trait for instances can be to a fault if I am hard or rigid in my approach; if it is my way or no way, or if I feel,  I rather do it myself so I know it is done correct, both of these types of attitude are dangerous. Recognizing the difference I know is important and something I need to always be aware of. The same may be said about the strength of, Restorative, again problem solving is great but I  know enabling is closely aligned with saying, “ I am good at problem solving so let me help you……” Many of us learn this the hard way when we are raising our own children, saying no can seem cruel at times or allowing your child to have to learn their mistakes the hard way, when you could have spared them is also difficult but essential to their character building.

 The one I am most satisfied with would have to be developer. Seeing the best in others and helping them see that in them self is lifting to me. Helping someone achieve their full potential blesses me, encouragement comes natural to me as I reflect on the way my mom exemplified this as I was growing up.  Understanding why someone may feel a certain way and helping them to see it for themselves, being a good listener and giving sound advice through encouragement and prayer helps all of us grow in a situation.  I have a heart of genuine care for most people saved and unsaved and I give it to God to put the people in my life that I can help in this area.

In rereading my belief strength result paragraph, I have realized my beliefs have not changed but my maturities in my beliefs have changed and have grown. I continuously work toward a firm belief system by seeking what God has given as an example in his word. I pray and give it to God to use me, “in this or in that situation”, if that would be his will. Settings priorities and being consistent in knowing where I stand but at the same time being open to hear God speaking and allowing him to work in me. Our “doing” should be based on what we believe, what I am doing needs to be meaningful but more importantly it needs to align with my values.

Considering I feel called to pursue Christian Counseling I feel that the five strengths that are now revealed to me are very important. I feel encouraged with the statistics, as they are in a sense, my true gifts. I feel it is helpful to know where my natural bent is and the areas that I need to work on as some did not show up in my top five and yet are important to being well rounded. I believe knowing these signature themes can only help me in my future roles as God will use me and I am excited to see what type of opportunities in leadership will be opened to me.

As I shared my results with my father, wife and step daughter, who I feel cover a range of years of knowing me from childhood to intimacy and then with my step daughter I will say at times a strained relationship. The comments were about the same from all three. While Dad felt he watched the characteristics evolve over time my wife recognized the quality’s and explained to me that these were some of the things that attracted her to me. My step daughter speaking from a teenage perspective was the harshest and seems to make the quality of Activator a negative strength. Go figure this would be the area that I see her lack of maturity and initiative so in speaking with her I tend to challenge her in excelling in life over all. So I can understand why this may buck her. Overall I am satisfied with the results and hope to refine some of the areas as God leads me to.