Week 5 Discussion: Initial Post StrengthsFinder Assessment

Week 5 Discussion: Initial Post StrengthsFinder Assessment Upon Completi

Week 5 Discussion: Initial Post StrengthsFinder Assessment Upon completion of the Strengths Finder Assessment, this online tool concluded that my top five themes are Achiever, Woo, Restorative, Learner, and Positivity. I felt these results accurately described me, as I have always been one to want to go above and beyond, win people over, solve problems, learn, and create a positive and inclusive environment.

Two Core Values Based on the strengths that describe me, it is essential to assess these themes and understand core values I should incorporate into my daily routine to balance me out. The first core value I aim to adopt is recognition. Achievers often focus on being busy and forget to recognize when they have completed a task. According to Tom Rath, achievers should “Attach timelines and measurement to goals so that effort leads to defined progress and tangible outcomes” (2007). He says that achievers need to recognize and celebrate their victories instead of immediately moving on to their next task. The second core value I intend to adopt is realism. Some individuals may misinterpret my positive attitude as naivety. For this reason, I must communicate that I understand unfortunate events can occur; however, I prefer to focus on the good rather than the bad. Showing people my realistic view on life can better help them understand my enthusiasm, and hopefully inspire them also to incorporate more positivity into their lives.

Two Strengths For me, I feel I need to work on being more deliberative. I am not one to always look at all my options and assess all the risks. I find myself just doing things rather than planning or anticipating what may go wrong. I feel I can strengthen this characteristic by teaming up with someone who is more cautious and analytical when it comes to decision-making. I also feel I need to work on being more of a commander. I find myself too passive, in that, I do not like being in charge of big decisions. Instead, I lean on my teammates and work towards an agreement between all individuals to reach a conclusion. I also find myself avoiding confrontation at all times because I do not like conflict. According to Marshall and Broome, firm leaders can resolve a dispute when necessary (2017). I strive to add command to my list of strengths as an advanced practice registered nurse.

Two Characteristics Some characteristics I aim to improve on are my active listening skills and appreciating individualization. As someone who works in a fast-paced environment, I tend to have a selective hearing to pick out important things that people say; however, I tend to tune out the finer details that I do not need to know immediately. While this may be good for working in the emergency department where nurses do focused assessments and work quickly, it is not something that I am proud of. As a family nurse practitioner (FNP), I understand that gathering the full picture from patients will be necessary to appropriately assess and treat them. McKenna et al. note, “Effective listening, as a quality of effective communication has been promoted by the nursing profession as a way of demonstrating care to patients and their families” (2020). I also strive to become more appreciative of individualization. It is easy to get fixated on wanting to work with others who are like me with the drive to finish tasks while maintaining a positive attitude and solving problems along the way. For this reason, it can be hard for me to work with individuals who procrastinate, have a negative attitude, or ignore details. Rath explains that those who appreciate individualization can figure out what their team members do best and capitalize on their talents, skills, or knowledge (2007). I aim to incorporate this into my practice.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding one's strengths and areas for growth is essential in both personal and professional development, especially within the healthcare field where leadership, communication, and self-awareness directly impact patient outcomes and team dynamics. The StrengthsFinder assessment provides valuable insights into individual traits, enabling nurses and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to align their core values and behaviors with their professional roles. This paper explores the implications of the top five themes identified—Achiever, Woo, Restorative, Learner, and Positivity—and how they shape my approach to nursing practice, leadership, and interpersonal relationships.

Identified Strengths and Core Values

My Top Five Themes highlight qualities that are fundamental to effective nursing practice. The Achiever theme signifies a strong drive to accomplish tasks efficiently and diligently, often leading to high productivity and perseverance. However, the challenge lies in recognizing and celebrating these achievements to maintain motivation and avoid burnout. Rath (2007) emphasizes the importance of attaching measurable goals and timelines to foster a sense of progress. In my routine, adopting the core value of recognition will help me acknowledge my accomplishments, which in turn can boost morale and reinforce positive behaviors.

The Woo theme suggests that I thrive in social situations, eager to win others over and establish rapport quickly. While this trait facilitates teamwork and patient interactions, it also underscores the need for balance. The core value of realism complements this by grounding my positivity in an understanding of life's setbacks. As Rath (2007) notes, conveying a realistic outlook helps in establishing credibility and trust with colleagues and patients alike. Demonstrating that I acknowledge the challenges while maintaining an optimistic perspective can foster a more resilient and supportive work environment.

Areas for Growth and Development

Despite my strengths, there are areas requiring further development. One such area is deliberative decision-making. My tendency to act spontaneously can sometimes lead to overlooking potential risks, which is less than ideal in clinical settings where thorough assessment is critical. To address this, I plan to collaborate with more cautious colleagues who excel at analyzing options and identifying pitfalls. Incorporating their perspective can enhance my decision-making process, leading to more informed and safe patient care outcomes.

Another aspect I wish to improve is my leadership capacity—specifically, my ability to adopt a more commanding presence when necessary. My current preference to avoid confrontations and defer to team consensus can diminish my effectiveness as a leader in high-stakes situations. Marshall and Broome (2017) highlight that effective leaders are capable of resolving conflicts decisively when required. Developing a commanding style of communication and exercising assertiveness will enable me to lead more confidently during emergency or critical moments while maintaining collaborative team relations.

Improving Personal Characteristics

Active listening and appreciating individualization are pivotal traits that influence patient care and team dynamics. In a fast-paced environment like the emergency department, I tend to focus on immediate, essential information and may unintentionally tune out details that seem less urgent. McKenna et al. (2020) affirm that effective listening is a core component of compassionate nursing care. As a future Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), heightened active listening skills are vital for understanding the complete patient history, concerns, and context, thereby facilitating accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans.

Moreover, valuing individualization—recognizing the unique talents and preferences of colleagues—can foster a more cohesive and motivated team. Rath (2007) emphasizes that appreciating individual differences allows leaders to leverage team members’ strengths effectively. Moving forward, I aim to cultivate a deeper appreciation for diversity in work styles, attitudes, and skills to enhance collaboration, morale, and ultimately, patient outcomes.

Conclusion

Reflecting on my StrengthsFinder results has provided valuable insights into my professional identity as an nurse and APRN. By focusing on integrating core values like recognition and realism, I can enhance my emotional intelligence and resilience. Simultaneously, working to develop weaker traits like deliberation and assertiveness will empower me to become a more balanced and effective leader. Enhancing active listening and personalized care will improve both patient relationships and team dynamics. Ultimately, ongoing self-assessment and targeted growth strategies are essential for fostering excellence in nursing practice and leadership.

References

• Marshall, E., & Broome, M. (2017). Transformational leadership in nursing: From expert clinician to influential leader (2nd ed.). Springer.
• Mckenna, L., Brown, T., Williams, B., & Lau, R. (2020). Empathic and listening styles of first-year undergraduate nursing students: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Professional Nursing.
• Rath, T. (2007). StrengthsFinder 2.0. Gallup Press.
• Tom Rath. (2007). StrengthsFinder 2.0. Gallup Press.
• Marshall, E., & Broome, M. (2017). Transformational leadership in nursing: From expert clinician to influential leader (2nd ed.). Springer.
• McKenna, L., Brown, T., Williams, B., & Lau, R. (2020). Empathic and listening styles of first year undergraduate nursing students: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Professional Nursing.
• Rath, T. (2007). StrengthsFinder 2.0. Gallup Press.
• Marshall, E., & Broome, M. (2017). Transformational leadership in nursing: From expert clinician to influential leader. Springer.
• McKenna, L., Brown, T., Williams, B., & Lau, R. (2020). Empathic and listening styles of first year undergraduate nursing students: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Professional Nursing.
• Rath, T. (2007). StrengthsFinder 2.0. Gallup Press.