Super Powers Part 2: Discovering Your Super Powers Objectively

 

Let’s take for granted you have Super Powers. How do you discover them? There are plenty of ways, and in this article we’ll explore three that offer an objective perspective.

 

(If you’d like a refresher on what Super Powers are and all the good things they do for you, refer to Part 1 of this four-part series here.)

 

Objectively figuring out your Super Powers means using external assessments (outside yourself looking in). Note that these are not tests, they are assessments, designed to help you discover what your default mode of operating is, and what your strengths and preferences are.

 

There are plenty of assessments out there; here are three of my favorites.

 

StrengthsFinder 2.0

The StrengthsFinder 2.0 book hit a nerve when it was released in 2007, starting a conversation about focusing on what’s right with you and playing to your strengths, rather than fixing your weaknesses. The assessment is easy and straightforward to use: it’s an online assessment, where you answer a series of questions along a five-part continuum from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Each question is timed and the questions don’t have black or white answers, which helps to best assess your innate response. You’ll receive an in-depth report of your Top 5 strengths, personalized for you, as well as ideas for using your strengths more and for the better.

 

Resource: www.gallupstrengthscenter.com

I highly recommend going for the full 34 strengths, rather than just the top 5, as there is a lot of value in knowing what’s at the bottom of your strengths list (aka your weaknesses) as well as what’s at the top. You can view the results and grasp their meaning easily enough; for a deeper analysis of what your strengths mean, how to use them, and how they apply to your work and business I recommend talking with a professional.

Time: Give yourself about an hour to create an account, take the assessment, and review the results.

Cost: $15 – $89. Includes a copy of the book, StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath.

A quick note that if you choose to buy a print edition of the book only buy a *new* copy. Each book contains a unique code to access the assessment, and the code can only be used once.

 

Myers-Briggs

You may have taken this assessment in college or as part of a job interviewing process. It’s a series of questions you answer from the perspective of your 25-year-old self, which helps make sure you get an accurate picture of your type. (The assumption is that at 25 you know yourself well enough, yet haven’t had enough life experience to skew the assessment results too much). To take the assessment, you need to work with a certified Myers-Briggs professional (coach / counselor / consultant). As a quick and easy way to get started, you can often get a feel for your type by reading a book or playing around with free online assessment. Note these are not the “official” assessments, and it’s best to talk with a professional to take the real deal and get an in-depth review of your results.

 

Resources

Book: Type Talk: The 16 Personality Types That Determine How We Live, Love, and Work by Otto Kroeger and Janet M. Thuesen

Time: The amount of time it takes you to read one book, 304 pages. You won’t need to read every page.

Cost: $13 on amazon

 

Online: www.16personalities.com/

Gives you a short assessment, then walks you through an explanation of the results.

Time: About 30 minutes to take the assessment and review the results.

Cost: Free. You can purchase an upgraded report if you want more in-depth information, yet the free version has enough good stuff to get you started.

 

Coach / Counselor / Consultant: Ask for a referral to a certified Myers-Briggs professional.

Time: ½ hour to take the assessment + hour long meeting to interpret the results.

Cost: $275 and up for the assessment and interpretation.

 

Enneagram

The Enneagram is a different type of assessment. While no one knows for sure, it’s thought the assessment has its origins in ancient spiritual traditions. This assessment is handy for getting a broad picture of yourself, what your basic fear is, what motivates you, and how you act as a result of this fear and motivation. I’ve also found it handy for uncovering your stress response and how to better handle stress, as well as laying out a path for continued personal development. Again, you’ll want to think of yourself when you were 25, and while there is a quiz you can take, people most often learn this through personal interactions with those who know the system. It’s less about answering assessment questions and more about being in relation to another person who is familiar with the Enneagram.

 

Resource: http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/

The assessment offered on the website with give you a broad picture of what your type might be. From there you’ll want to do additional exploration with a coach or group to determine your exact type. While the assessment is handy, the Enneagram is best learned experientially, in conversations with experts, workshops, and viewing panels of the various types.

Time: 15 minutes for the online assessment

Cost: Free or paid. The free version will give you plenty of information to get started, and from there I recommend working with a coach and/or attending a workshop to make sure you’ve typed yourself correctly and learn more about your type.

 

As you can see, each of these three assessments offers a powerful way for you to get to know your Super Powers. All three offer free or low cost versions to get you started, and from there it’s highly recommended you engage a professional. Remember, you want to use your Super Powers for good rather than evil!  Here’s to discovering your Super Powers and taking a meaningful step toward making your work, and life, easier and more satisfying.

 

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This is Part 2 in a four-part series. In Part 1 we look at what Super Powers are and why they matter; Part 3 looks at how to discover your Super Powers subjectively, and Part 4 explores how to use your Super Powers in your life and business.

You can read all four parts here: (urls updated as the posts are published)
Part 1: https://kristinecarey.com/do-you-have-super-powers/
Part 2: https://kristinecarey.com/discovering-your-super-powers-objectively/