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A Look at Communication

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People exceptionally talented in the Communication theme generally find it easy to put their thoughts into words. They are good conversationalists and presenters.
CliftonStrengths

This week, our guest blogger is Beth Roberts. Beth is the Regional Manager as well as the Regional Coordinator for the central region of our organization. Beth’s top 5 Strengths are Empathy, Woo, Developer, Includer, and Communication. Here is what Communication looks like for Beth:



                Award-winning film composer John Powell states “people may hear your words, but they feel your attitude.”  I love this updated language of “actions speak louder than words.”  Communication is one of my top five strengths and one that I use everywhere I am.

            Communication is simple how I convey my own thoughts, ideas, and beliefs to the world.  I can communicate with my best friend over a three-hour phone call or embrace my son in pure love with no words at all.  Email, social media, texting, talking, reflecting… no matter what I am doing from day to day, I am conveying a message.  One I hope always has purpose.

            As a child, I was frequently known as the girl who talked too much; who couldn’t turn the cheerleader off.  In high school I learned to hate these qualities and only shared them with those closest to me.  Entering my college years, my strength of Communication got a second chance.  I could surround myself with positive and purposeful people that raised me up instead of silencing.  I walked across the graduation stage a young woman who traveled the world meeting new people and gained more leadership experience than I could have ever imagined.

            Today, I get to interact with my TeamMates mentee using my strength of Communication to listen.  She often points out that she knows when I’m listening because I’m sitting on my hands (a sign that I’m a true “hands talker”).  I’ve taught her that it is okay to voice her thoughts and passions.  In turn, she’s reminded me of a valuable lesson in listening to understand and learn.

            When combined with my other top five strengths- Empathy, Developer, WOO, and Includer- my Communication can be a powerful tool.  I’m often described as a social butterfly (WOO, Includer, Communication), a motivator (Developer & Communication), and a listening ear whenever, wherever (Empathy & Communication).  Although, when I reflect on my strength of Communication, I know that I’m just me; someone I’ve loved getting to know for the last 30ish years.
-Beth


If you are interested in guest blogging about one of your Top 5 StrengthsFinder themes this school year, please email Tess at tstarman@teammates.org
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