[Discover Your Super Powers Part 2 of 4] Discover 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: https://kristinecarey.com/do-you-have-super-powers/
Objectively figuring out your Super Powers means using external assessments. Note that these are not tests (there’s no way you can fail); 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. Your strengths are things like being a Maximizer, where you take something ordinary and turn it into something amazing, or WOO, where you have the power to win others over with your charm; there are 34 strengths in all and you can discover what yours are, in order. 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 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 list, 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 *not* Super Powers) as well as what’s at the top. You can view the results and get and interpretation in the easy-to-read reports you receive; 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 StrengthsFinder expert.
Time: Give yourself about an hour to create an account, take the assessment, and review the results.
Cost: $15 – $89. Includes an e-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 top 5 assessment, and the code can only be used once. If you want to do the all 34 you’ll need to buy the code online.
Myers-Briggs
You may have taken this assessment in college or as part of a job interviewing process – it’s the assessment that has the four letters: Introvert (I) or Extrovert (E), Sensor (S) or Intuitive (N), Thinker (T) or Feeler (F) and Judger (J) or Perceiver (P). Your results come out as a series of the four letters – INFJ, ESTP, or any of the 16 possible combinations.
The assessment is 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 pretty well, yet haven’t had enough life experience to skew the assessment results significantly. 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 you may want 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, with nine types laid out along a circle.
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.
It’s also handy for showing how you 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 are quizzes you can take, people often learn their Enneagram type through personal interactions with those who know the system. Discovering your type is less about answering assessment questions and more about being in relation to another person who is familiar with the Enneagram and can help you uncover your fears and motivations.
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 through reading, with a coach, or via a 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 different and 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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Check out all the articles in this series!
Part 1: Do You Have Super Powers?
Part 2: Discover Your Super Powers Objectively (this is Part 2)
