People who are especially talented in the Intellection theme are characterized by their intellectual activity. They are introspective and appreciate intellectual discussions.
Ideas for Action
1. Consider beginning or continuing your studies in philosophy, literature, or psychology. You will always enjoy subjects that stimulate your thinking.
2. List your ideas in a log or diary. These ideas will serve as grist for your mental mill, and they might yield valuable insights.
3. Deliberately build relationships with people you consider to be “big thinkers.” Their example will inspire you to focus your own thinking.
People who are especially talented in the Input theme have a craving to know more. Often they like to collect and archive all kinds of information.
Ideas for Action
1. Look for jobs in which you are charged with acquiring new information each day, such as teaching, research, or journalism.
2. Devise a system to store and easily locate information. This can be as simple as a file for all the articles you have clipped or as sophisticated as a computer database.
3. Partner with someone with dominant Focus or Discipline talents. This persona will help you stay on track when your inquisitiveness leads you down intriguing but distracting avenues.
People who are especially talented in the Individualization theme are intrigued with the unique qualities of each person. They have a gift for figuring out how people who are different can work together productively.
Ideas for Action
1. Select a vocation in which your Individualization talents can be both used and appreciated, such as counseling, supervising, teaching, writing human interest articles, or selling. Your ability to see people as unique individuals is a special talent.
2. Become an expert in describing your own strengths and style. For example, answer questions such as: What is the best praise you ever received? How often do you like to check in with your manager? What is your best method for building relationships? How do you learn best? Then ask your colleagues and friends these same questions. Help them plan their future by starting with their strengths, then designing a future based on what they do best.
3. Help others understand that true diversity can be found in the subtle differences between each individual — regardless of race, sex, or nationality.
People who are especially talented in the Includer theme are accepting of others. They show awareness of those who feel left out, and make an effort to include them.
Ideas for Action
1. Consider roles in which you can take responsibility for representing voices that are not usually heard. You will derive a great deal of satisfaction from being a spokesperson for these people.
2. Look for opportunities to bring together people of diverse cultures and backgrounds. You can be a leader in this area.
3. Help those who are new to an organization or group get to know other people. You will always be adept at quickly making people feel accepted and involved.
People who are especially talented in the Ideation theme are fascinated by ideas. They are able to find connections between seemingly disparate phenomena.
Ideas for Action
1. Seek a career in which you will be given credit for and paid for your ideas, such as marketing, advertising, journalism, design, or new product development.
2. You are likely to get bored quickly, so make some small changes in your work or home life. Experiment. Play mental games with yourself. All of these will help keep you stimulated.
3. Finish your thoughts and ideas before communicating them. Lacking your Ideation talents, others might not be able to “join the dots” of an interesting but incomplete idea and thus might dismiss it.
People who are especially talented in the Harmony theme look for consensus. They don’t enjoy conflict; rather, they seek areas of agreement.
Ideas for Action
1. Use your Harmony talents to build a network of people with differing perspectives. Rely on these people when you need expertise. Your openness to these differing perspectives will help you learn.
2. When two people are arguing, ask others in the group to share their thoughts. By increasing the number of voices in the conversation, you are more likely to find areas where all parties can agree. You can draw people together.
3. Avoid roles that will lead you to confront people on a daily basis. Sales roles based on “cold calls” or roles in highly competitive workplaces, for example, will frustrate or upset you.
People who are especially talented in the Futuristic theme are inspired by the future and what could be. They inspire others with their visions of the future.
Ideas for Action
1. Choose roles in which you can contribute your ideas about the future. For example, you might excel in entrepreneurial or start-up situations.
2. Take time to think about the future. The more time you spend considering your ideas about the future, the more vivid your ideas will become. The more vivid your ideas, the more persuasive you will be.
3. Seek audiences who appreciate your ideas for the future. They will expect you to make these ideas a reality, and these expectations will motivate you.
People who are especially talented in the Focus theme can take a direction, follow through, and make the corrections necessary to stay on track. They prioritize, then act.
Ideas for Action
1. When you set goals, discipline yourself to include timelines and measurements. These will provide regular proof that you are indeed making progress.
2. Seek roles in which you can function independently. With your dominant Focus talents, you will be able to stay on track with little supervision.
3. Your greatest worth as a team member might be helping others set goals. At the end of meetings, take responsibility for summarizing what was decided, for defining when these decisions will be acted on, and for setting a date when the group will reconvene.
