Skip to main content

Futuristic: The Vision-Caster

People exceptionally talented in the Futuristic theme are inspired by the future and what could be. They energize others with their visions of the future.
Clifton StrengthsFinder

People with high Futuristic are fascinated with what will be. They have a mind which forecasts what is to come based on what is going on now. They are naturally dreamers, and can see far into the future. They are the vision-casters; the ones who can see the destination and get the rest of us on that
path. Gallup writes, “As if it were projected on a wall, you see in detail what the future might hold, and this detailed picture keeps pulling you forward until tomorrow.” While some people derive their energy from the present or revel in the past, those with Futuristic are energized about what is to come.


People with high Futuristic, in general, tend to be more hopeful. Dr. Shane Lopez taught our organization so much about the power of hope. Through his research with Gallup, Shane found that hope is simply the energy one has about the future. Therefore, as individuals who are naturally excited about a clear picture in the future, it is logical that Futuristic people would be more hopeful. All of the research and training we do within TeamMates redrives from, and further supports Gallup’s Student Success Model. When we focus on what is naturally right about someone, it leads to an increased sense of hope and increased engagement. This generates greater wellbeing and greater success. The research that Gallup has conducted over many years, show us that hope is the greatest indicator of future success; greater than GPA, socioeconomic status, demographics, etc. 


Whether or not you are one of the 20.0% of mentees or 7.0% of mentors with Futuristic, it is simple to generate hope within your mentoring relationship. To do so, practice “Nexting.” At the end of your mentoring time, ask your mentee what is the next great thing you are looking forward to? The responses could be anywhere from “I am excited about lunch tomorrow because it is peperoni pizza…” to “I am excited to graduate.” Regardless of how you and your mentee aim this question, by simply asking it, you will be instilling hope in your mentee because you are getting them excited about the future. 

-Tess

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Strengths Activity: DBT House

The featured activity this week has become a recent favorite of the TeamMates Strengths Team. I learned of it by attending the Green Hills AEA Conference this past summer. The breakout presenter, Louise El Yafoori, taught on mitigating culturally sensitive trauma. This activity comes from the practice of Dialectical Behavior Therapy. While it can be used in very targeted ways for working with certain groups of kids, we found it a powerful reflective exercise that we all could benefit from. We facilitated this activity at our annual strengths day at the Gallup campus this year and the results of this learning and self reflection were highly impactful. Consider doing this activity with your mentee as a way to deepen the conversation around strengths and talent by incorporating discussions of values, role models, support systems, and more. Activity Instructions:  On a blank piece of paper, sketch out a house. Your house should include: a foundation, walls, windows, a door, roof, ch

Achiever: Fulfillment from Accomplishment

People exceptionally talented in the Achiever theme work hard and possess a great deal of stamina. They take immense satisfaction in being busy and productive. Clifton StrengthsFinder We are excited to hear from Stephanie Pravecek about Achiever this week. Steph is the Events Coordinator for TeamMates and leads with Achiever, Responsibility, Discipline, Consistency, and Relator. People with high Achiever are hard workers, list makers, and doers. It is very difficult for Achievers to take a break when there is a task at hand that needs to be completed.  Once one task is complete it is on to the next and then the next. Achievers set out each day to accomplish at least one task but, there is much more fulfillment when multiple things are crossed off the “to-do” list for the day. This does include weekends and vacations, as REST or RELAX are not words you often hear in the vocabulary of an Achiever. As a guest blogger this week, I am going to put more of a personal ton

Strengths Activity-Strengths Collage

Conversations are a great way to recognize, own, and develop our strengths. But sometimes, I find my mentee and I have the best dialogues when we are doing something kinetic. This week's featured strengths activity is hands on!  In the picture above, you see a great example of this week's activity, a strengths collage! Our own words and descriptions of our strengths are powerful, just like strengths conversations, but sometimes, when we look to other's words, we can help expand our understanding of our talent. In addition, sometimes our words just don't "cut it", and pictures or images might evoke a more accurate feeling regarding your talents. Through this activity, you and your mentee will look to magazines, newspapers, and advertisements in order expand your strengths language as well as practice strengths spotting.  What you will need:  A piece of card stock or journal page Various magazines, newspapers, or advertisements.  Glue Scissors