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Self-Assurance: Step to the Beat of Your Own Drum

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People who are exceptionally talented in the Self-Assurance theme feel confident in their ability to manage their own lives. They possess an inner compass that gives them confidence that their decisions are right.
Clifton StrengthsFinder

A quote that epitomizes Self-Assurance is from one of my favorite thinkers, Henry David Thoreau. He says, “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.” Those high in Self-Assurance have an inner sense of confidence in themselves and their abilities. This keen sense of awareness allows them to be secure in their decisions. People high in Self-Assurance may often make a decision that seems illogical or is against all advice given; however, what you may not see in their decision was their confidence in it. As a result, people high in Self-Assurance are often risk-taking leaders who pave new paths for exploration.

Self-Assurance is a strength that revolves around an individual, due to the natural talent to have confidence in your own ability. As a result, someone with this talent may have experienced many labels in life, like arrogant, bossy, prideful, etc. We know that at the center of the strengths revolution is the idea that the study of strengths is the study of what is right about people. The confidence that someone with Self-Assurance exudes is actually them at their best. Next time you encounter someone that gets under your skin, take a step back and look at them from a strengths lens, seeing their annoyances as unique strengths. For those high in Self-Assurance, mature your strength to have an outward focus. “Lend” your Self-Assurance to another by instilling in them confidence in their unique talents.

In TeamMates, 2.6% or our mentors and 6.6% of our mentees have Self-Assurance in their Top 5. If you or your mentee lead with this strength, consider developing it through strengths based conversations. Here are some questions, to get you started (questions from Gallup Self-Assurance Discovery Questions and the TeamMates Strengths and Hope Cards):
·         What risks have you taken lately? Tell me about your confidence level in taking them?
·         How does your intuition guide you?
·         What are you sure you can do?
·         Is there a project, task, or role within your organization you are attracted to? Tell me more about that.

-Tess

(Image Credit: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/ae/63/81/ae63814169081421f762d53486bc79ad.jpg) 
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