Strengths Reflection Essay Draft
Kelly Chisham
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Schools of Graduate & Professional Programs
GM 600 Management Principles
Kristen O’Connell, Ed. D.
April 15, 2015

Contents
Introduction 3
My Five Strengths 3 Achiever 3 Harmony 4 Futuristic 5 Restorative 6 Responsibility 6
How do your Strengths Finder talents support the primary planning, organizing, leading, and controlling activities of a manager? 7
Which Strengths Finder talents would you focus personal development activities on if you would pursue a management position or improve in your management current position? 9
Conclusion 9
References 11

Strengths Reflection Essay Draft
Introduction
Tom Rath’s Strengths Finder …show more content…

By nature, I have always been one to want everyone to get along. I always seek harmony between individuals and groups, which shows that I care and want to improve team relationships. Creating harmony can reduce stress, conflict, and friction (Rath & Conchie, 2008). Using this talent, I like to build a network of people with differing perspectives.
This strength can positively affect managing in a cultural environment. Learning about everyone’s perspectives, valuing their input, and helping them be heard, shows respect to all of those that are part of the team. Managers strive for understanding, empathy, tolerance, and willingness to communicate as an individual strategy when managing in a multicultural environment (Griffin, 2013). Possessing the harmony strength can be a double-edged sword. Conflict resolution can be a challenge in managing. Striving for perfect balance, conflict resolution can be intimidating if a manager does not know how to address it. Conflict is frustrating to me and I feel that I need to improve my resolution talent.
Futuristic
I have always thought of myself as a dreamer. My thoughts mostly include of what could be. Rath (2007) describes the Futuristic talent as one who can inspire others with their visions of the future and the ability to be innovative and an original thinker.
This talent describes me very well. Since I began as staff therapist over 18