People exceptionally talented in
the Connectedness theme have faith in the links among things. They believe
there are few coincidences and that almost every event has meaning.
CliftonStrengths
This week we have the opportunity to learn about the strength of Connectedness through the eyes of Maurie Deines. Maurie is the Co-Coordinator of TeamMates of Scotts Bluff County and is a mentor. Maurie leads with Connectedness, Belief, Responsibility, Learner, and Arranger. Here’s what Connectedness looks like for Maurie:
I lead with “Connectedness”. My second strength is “Belief”. I think that both of those strengths work
well together. Gallup states that “people
with Connectedness believe that there are few coincidences and that almost every
event has a reason”. Although “Connectedness”
is my lead strength, it is undergirded by my “Belief” which is my foundation.
Connectedness
to me means that I often use relationships between people to benefit the common
good of mankind. I have always enjoyed
getting to better know people. In fact,
in a group of people I am usually the one asking where they are from, what they
do for a living, or where they now live.
In fact, sometimes my inquiry becomes deep enough that I can make a
connection with them or someone I already know.
I’m sure I probably go too far with my inquisition as when our time is
“up”, I know quite a bit about them but I have not given them a chance to find
out about me. So, when my top strength was
identified and defined as “Connectedness”, I knew that was definitely defining
me. It certainly quickly validated the
Strengths Finder program for me.
As the
Co-Coordinator of our TeamMates chapter my day is filled with “Connectedness”. I start each day with quiet meditation and
Bible study. So, I connect with my Maker
at the dawn of each day. The expectation
of finding mentors, working with school counselors and administrators for finding
mentees, to best match the new mentors and mentees embodies the use of
connecting people as resources. Even the
closure of a match means still connecting the two in a respectful and humane
way and often includes re-matching. In
addition, a big part of my job requires that I connect with consistent and new
funding sources. My other strengths are
“Arranger”, “Learner”, and “Responsibility”.
To develop and maintain a strong TeamMates chapter requires the
embodiment of stakeholders including school administrators, counselors,
parents, mentors, mentees, and donors.
As a youth
growing up in a small Nebraska town of 700 people required that it took a
significant percentage of people to keep the community viable. This included teaching the young people their
responsibility also. So, as a youth I
was expected to participate in many activities:
sports, music, church, and Scouting.
Boy Scouting played an important part in my life as I attained the rank
of Eagle Scout. And, as an adult and as
our own family grew, there was tug at my heart to make sure that I passed on
the Scouting program to my family and my adult community. So, I have been a Scoutmaster and continue to
give back to youth through the Scouting movement.
Our chapter has
been a Strengths Based chapter for over 5 years. As such, my wife and I had the pleasure of
believing and growing in “Strengths” with Allyson Horne from its inception in
TeamMates. Unfortunately, Peg, passed
away in 2014 at the age of 67. Ally has
mentioned that Peg and I had a “Strengths based” marriage. I would agree wholeheartedly. In fact, from
East to West, I feel that Nebraska is truly a “small community” when one looks
at it through a “Strengths based” lens.
TeamMates and Strengths are keeping it just that way………….and, I am
grateful for just that.
-Maurie
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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