Understanding [Grace's] Strengths
- gracewagner03
- Dec 10, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 21
I took CliftonStrengths for the first time in high school after a psychology class got me hyper-fixated on self-discovery. Fast forward to now, and retook it for work and saw how much I’ve evolved since my first time taking it in 2018. Learning about your strengths is like looking at a highlight reel of your brain—what you naturally excel at, what drains you, and where you’ve got room to grow.
Below are my top strengths, broken down. It's very rare to have the same top five as someone else, so I am always excited to compare with others
1. Empathy
The gift of feeling all the things. It means I don’t just hear you—I get you. If you’re sad, I’ll probably feel it too. If you’re excited, I’m matching your energy. Friend crying over a breakup? I’ll bring the tissues and the ice cream. Business screwed by a digital provider in the past and struggling to to grow? I feel for them and do everything to build up their confidence in marketing.
Reality Check: Empathy is both a blessing and a really, really heavy backpack. Without boundaries, it’s easy to absorb everyone else’s emotions and forget that, oh yeah, I’ve got my own stuff to carry.
2. Achiever
Ah, the sweet satisfaction of crossing things off a to-do list. If you give me a goal, I will chase it down with Olympic-level determination. Productivity fuels me, and the more I accomplish, the happier I am.
Reality Check: Achievers often teeter on the edge of “doing too much.” and often have history with burnout.
3. Individualization
I’m all about noticing the little things that make people unique. It’s like having a superpower that helps me understand what makes someone shine. In marketing, this translates to tailoring every strategy and campaign to fit a client’s distinct personality and goals.
Reality Check: Sometimes, I overanalyze, and I have to remind myself not to get too caught up in decoding everything around me.
4. Developer
I see potential everywhere. Whether it’s a person, a brand, or an idea, I love helping it grow. Seeing something go from “meh” to “wow” gives me a ridiculous amount of joy. I’m like a proud parent watching their kid crush it at their first soccer game.
Reality Check: Not everyone wants to grow at the pace I think they’re capable of, and that’s okay. (It’s also mildly frustrating, but hey, personal growth is about patience, right?)
5. Arranger
Here’s where I really thrive: chaos management. You know that scene in movies where the main character takes charge of a high-pressure situation and everything magically falls into place? That’s me, but with marketing campaigns, website designs, and advertising strategies. I thrive on organizing all the moving pieces to create something seamless and effective.
Reality Check: Just because I can take on a ton of responsibility doesn’t mean I always need to. I’ve learned the power of no (still working on the whole “asking for help” thing, but progress is progress).
Why Do Strengths Even Matter?
Understanding your strengths isn’t about slapping a label on yourself and calling it a day. It’s about knowing what you naturally excel at and using that to your advantage. It’s also about not wasting energy pretending to be something you’re not. (For example: I’m not the most charismatic salesperson, and that’s okay. My strengths lie in building, strategizing, and making magic happen behind the scenes.)
For me, it’s been a game-changer to better understand why I am the way I am. I know I thrive in creative, people-focused environments where purpose drives everything. On the flip side, I know I struggle in settings that lack connection or clarity. This self-awareness helps me focus on what I’m good at and allows me to bring my best self to the table.
Learning about your strengths isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional—knowing what you’re great at and focusing on that instead of trying to force yourself into a mold that doesn’t fit. I’ve leaned into creativity, strategy, and connection while letting go of the pressure to be everything at once.
If you haven’t explored your strengths yet, I highly recommend it. There are tons of free tools online, and Chat GPT can help you dive deeper into them. It’s a chance to figure out what makes you you and how to use that to make an impact and feel fulfilled.
Clifton $
The OG for understanding your top strengths. This one’s a bit of an investment but 100% worth it if you’re serious about digging deep.
A free alternative to CliftonStrengths that gives you insight into your top five strengths—quick, easy, and insightful.
A science-based personality test that breaks you down into five traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism
A free and super popular personality test that gives you insight into how you work, think, and interact with the world. (I’m an INFJ-T)
Whether it’s for relationships, friendships, or just figuring out how you show appreciation, this quiz is a classic. Plus, they have mini versions, so it doesn't have to be time-consuming.
Find out your core motivations, fears, and growth areas. It’s great for understanding yourself and how you relate to others. This was one of my first-ever favorites! (I've consistently stayed a 9w1).
A straightforward tool to understand your communication style and how you approach tasks and relationships. I took this one for work and was placed on a wheel of strengths. I ranked highest as a supporter.
