#CoachHG Collection: Power Of Clustering (Input, Competition, Ideation, Communication & Learner) - StrengthsFinder Singapore
The Power of Clustering is clearly manifested in Kingmaker’s intern, Yong Han.
Yong Han’s talent themes are: Input | Competition | Ideation | Communication | Learner
Yong Han’s Top 5 talent themes show up naturally when he is at home, in school and CCA.
At home: Two of my older brothers studied material science, a very distinct field from my course psychology. They often have conversations about it at home that excludes the layperson. However, due to my Input-Competition-Learner cluster, I have acquired some working knowledge regarding material science such as 3D printing etc. The cluster works together to provide me with a powerful desire to learn and absorb information. Firstly, I love collecting information even when it is not related to my major. Secondly, my older brothers who have completed their doctorates are two of my biggest benchmarks in life. They are both intellectuals who are very well-read in many fields and I aim to surpass that. I must have the broadest knowledge base. Lastly, I simply enjoy the process of sitting in on their conversations to learn more about the latest science trends.
In an academic setting: Essays are bread and butter in social sciences and my Input-Ideation-Communication cluster provides me with an edge over others in it. With Ideation, I consider a few potential essay topics before finally hitting on that one unique idea that stands out from the rest. The topics are often things that no one else would write about such as applying psychological principles to stop lying. Once I decided on the topic, I go into overdrive sorting through the vast repository of information that my Input talent theme has equipped me with. Once I identify the strongest case study possible, I begin the actual process of writing to Communicate my message. I once spent 2 hours on a 250-word introduction looking for the perfect turn of phrase in every sentence.
In a non-academic setting: In Kendo (Japanese sword fighting), my Input-Competition-Learner cluster shines as I always pit myself against stronger opponents during duels to continuously improve. I want to Learn from the best and to collect all their different techniques. My Input talent theme also drives me to listen when stronger opponents give my friends feedback. The feeling of exultation when I score a point against my opponent (Competition) using what I learnt is unparalleled.
Conclusion: Are you able to identify 3 of your Top 5 talent themes that help you to perform or excel in school, family, relationship or career settings?
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#CoachHG Collection: Power Of Clustering (Connectedness, Discipline, Includer, Individualization & Responsibility) - StrengthsFinder Singapore
As a follow up from the Power of Clustering and Gladys’ article on how her talent themes cluster and show up in different aspects of her life, let us take a look at another example from Ho Zhi Hui. Zhi Hui’s talent themes are different from that of Gladys’. From this, we can compare and contrast to see how these completely different talent themes manifest in similar situations.
Zhi hui’s talent themes are: Connectedness | Discipline | Includer | Individualization | Responsibility
I will proceed to ask her how her various talent themes show up.
At home: As the oldest child, I always felt like my Responsibility-Discipline-Connectedness talent themes come hand in hand and show up at home. I am not sure when this came about, but I was always emotionally invested (Responsibility) in emphasising family values and priorities as a role model in the family. It is the norm for us to sit down and have dinner together as a family on a daily basis. In addition, we make it a point to share our day’s happenings throughout the course of our meal. This routine has long been part and parcel of my life, and to me, it never felt like a chore or obligation, but more of a key supporting structure in my life (Discipline). These small yet accumulative actions were, to me an indispensable part of a larger purpose as a family, and I cannot be prouder being part of something so much greater than myself (Connectedness).
In an academic setting: I established a personal study system and followed through it for my entire 2 years in JC – lecture, summary notes, tutorial, quiz (Discipline). Studying to me was not about getting the perfect grades, but more of being able to aid myself in a smoother transition towards my later stages of life (Connectedness). My intellectual curiosity towards how each individual is distinct (Individualization) then led me on to choose psychology as one of my preferred majors in university.
In a non-academic setting: My position as a student leader made me want to foster a more inclusive culture by giving a voice to students of different backgrounds through dialogue sessions (Includer). I strongly believe that no personality type should be deemed as a misfit to the school culture, as each person is unique and hence deserves to be treated with respect (Individualization). I was hence committed to doing my part to integrate these members into the school community in my capacity (Responsibility).
To pursue a possible career: How personalities form, and how characteristics play out in the larger arena, has always been something I sought to understand on a deeper level (Individualization). As different as people may get, an inclusive society has always been part of the Singaporean narrative, and this is also something I strongly advocate for (Includer). Being the catalyst to promote consensus amidst diversity has been my key motivation to pursue a career in people management, personal growth and leadership development in the future. This gives me a larger purpose in life as a youth who has gone through experiences which have shaped who I am today (Connectedness).
Conclusion: More often than not, our talent themes operate in clusters. Hence, do take a step back, and appreciate how much more your talent themes can do for you when they come together. You are so much more than just your individual talent themes!
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#CoachHG Collection: Power Of Clustering (Achiever, Arranger, Input, Intellection & Learner) - StrengthsFinder Singapore
Hi! In my previous article on the Power of Clustering, I had shared about my talent themes and how they cluster naturally. In this article, I will use the case study of my intern to show how her talent themes cluster naturally and show up in different aspects of her life.
Her talent themes are: Achiever | Arranger | Input | Intellection | Learner.
"Hey Gladys, how do your various clusters of talent themes show up in different settings?"
At home: My Achiever-Learner-Input talent themes work together. At home, I’m in charge of most of the housework (Achiever) with great efficiency. I watch different videos off YouTube (Input) to learn about different ways to do household chores more effectively and try these methods out at home (Learner).
In an academic setting: As a student, the talent cluster I use very often is Learner-Input-Intellection. Especially so while preparing for General Paper, I would pay attention to trending topics (Learner) and then source for specific pieces of evidence and data (Input) to back up my learnings. From there, I would internalize different concepts (Intellection) at home before writing about them in my essays.
In a non-academic setting: I use my Arranger-Achiever-Input cluster frequently in church. With my Arranger talent theme, I juggled the various concurrent projects going on in the church. My Achiever talent theme helps me to accomplish as much as I could in a single day efficiently, and my Input talent theme helps to further cut down on the time needed to source for various resources (needed for the projects) since I already have a set of ready-to-use inventory.
Conclusion: A cluster of 3 talent themes frequently work together to empower us to do amazing stuff naturally. Take the next moment to reflect and marvel at how great you are through the power of clustering.
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My 10th Year Wedding Anniversary
I would like to share about my wife's noble character using a Strengths-Lens.
Proverbs 31 Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
Empathy: The most significant good Yvonne brought to me is Empathy. I was raised in a highly dysfunctional family that did not allow feelings to thrive. Every family member must be Man-enough to settle his own life. I learn to fend for myself as a child because no one really cares whether you live or die. Yvonne patiently nurtures my feelings and allows my feelings to flow more naturally; she brings me good!
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
Input: She really brings food from afar! If you have a chance to ask Yvonne, she would tell you that I can have a whole season of my life eating just one type of food for dinner - 宫保鸡丁. She is just my opposite. She can travel afar just to buy any food (a selection of food) she reads about that is highly recommended. Otherwise, I would never bother to taste such good food.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
Consistency: She treats people fairly regardless of their social status. One great example is uncle Aziz, a cleaner in my housing estate. During the festive season, she will remind me to give him a 'gift'. She also intentionally spends time with a young widow and treats her with dignity and love.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
Adaptability: Well, Yvonne does not deal with property, trading and fashion industries. But she is very adaptable. Before she married me, she couldn't cook and she was what we called the 'kuniang' - soft, gentle and fragile. I usually read people very accurately but not this time. The first year she married me, it was a major transition in my life; switching from a career I had for 11 years. Immediately followed by my young baby boy who needed to go for a major operation. Waves after waves of challenging moments through our marriage, she adapted so well and grew stronger and stronger. Now, I may be more 'kuniang' than her - I hope not!
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
Developer: She loves to help the under-privilege 'level up as much as possible; uncle Aziz the cleaner, a widow who stays 2 blocks away, cleaner aunty in her former workplace, guiding kids whose parents were in prison, missionaries she supported for about 15 years, etc. Not forgetting her persistent care for my elder son due to his GDD.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
Restorative + Harmony: Though she did not fix any problems that are related to snow (Singapore is in the equatorial region), she does fix lots of relational problems. She is a natural mediator in the family, in her workplace and in her social circles.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
Responsibility: It is amazing how she gets her energy to take ownership of so many things. Wakes up at 5.30am for her work out, and then settles the family breakfast. For the next 10 hours, stretching herself to ensure her school is running well. Once she returns home, she is always spending meaningful time with the children before she burns midnight oil for her work again. And she occasionally also needs to handle the 'big boy'; me.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
Positivity: I have lived with a life of storm since birth and I am pretty comfortable with it. Before she married me, she hardly went through storms. Then I welcomed her into my 'life of storms'. Wow, she made it! She has put to practice a Sunday School song - With Christ in the Vessel, we can Smile at the Storm.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Belief: She fears the Lord. Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting - btw she is still very pretty. But what makes her more beautiful is her fear for the Lord.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Yes, I am now honouring my beloved wife, Yvonne Lim.
#CoachHG Collection: Power Of Clustering (Self-Assurance, Significance & Communication) - StrengthsFinder Singapore
My earlier articles introduce CliftonStrengths talent themes independently:
Activator / Analytical / Belief / Competition / Developer / Empathy /
Futuristic / Harmony / Ideation / Positivity / Relator / Strategic
I then proceed to show how talent themes actually pair up naturally:
I shall attempt to showcase the 'greater uniqueness' of individuals through the Power of Clustering; when 3 talent themes blend naturally with one another. 3 of my Dominant themes (in my Top 10) are Self-Assurance, Significance & Communication.
Self-Assurance
People with strong Self-Assurance talents can lead the way. Because they deeply trust their own instincts, they can forge ahead confidently, even on risky paths. They can instill confidence in others and show initiative in the midst of turbulence and uncertainty.
Significance
People with strong Significance talents want to be very important in others' eyes. They seems to be willing to die for a cause in order to impact communities, transform culture or leaving behind a legacy.
Communication
People with strong Communication talents bring attention and focus to important messages. They can find words for not only their own thoughts and feelings, but for those of others. This gives them the ability to reach out and connect with others in meaningful ways.
