Strength Based Mentoring

People exceptionally talented in the Consistency theme are keenly aware of the need to treat people the same. They try to treat everyone with equality by setting up clear rules and adhering to them. CliftonStrengths This week our guest blogger is Cathy Hanna. Cathy is the co-coordinator for the TeamMates program at Chase County Schools in Imperial, Nebraska. Her top five strengths are Responsibility, Deliberative, Consistency, Discipline, and Harmony. Here’s what Consistency looks like for Cathy: I am in my third year as Elementary School Counselor and as co-coordinator for our Chase County TeamMates Chapter.  I went to the Strengths Training this last summer so I am in the beginning stages of Strengths spotting.  We introduced Strengths to our mentors in September and to our mentees in November and have had great feedback from those who have been trained.   Consistency is my number three strength and defined by Gallup as being keenly aware o...

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 th...

People exceptionally talented in the Competition theme measure their progress against the performance of others. They strive to win first place and revel in contests. CliftonStrengths This week, our guest blogger is Sarah Waldman. Sarah has been a mentor in the Omaha Public Schools chapter for 12 years. She has served on our program-wide TeamMates Board, and just this year, she took on the role of Executive Director for our organization. Sarah’s top 5 Strengths are Strategic, Maximizer, Achiever, Competition, and Individualization. Here is what Competition looks like for Sarah: I still remember the day I received the results.  It was about 13 years ago during a leadership program for women at Gallup.  I remember thinking, “Competition . . . really, that’s a strength?”  I was proud of my other top strengths and felt an immediate connection to them – I claimed them.  Competition took a while longer to appreciate. As I think back to my younger...

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'm really fortunate to work with and learn from Tess, and let's just put it out there that she's 23 and I am not. What our work relationship and friendship reinforces is that I have much to learn from those around me, particularly those who are different.  Whether those differences are in age, season of life, background; we all have a lot to learn from one another when we open up our minds and hearts. This past year, Tess and I found unplanned strengths conversations often led to some of the most meaningful strengths learning.  Earlier this spring, we decided to share some of that learning from our unique generational perspectives through a video series called “Genn and Millie”.  Every other week, we get together and utilize a strengths exercise while sharing about real life moments.  What often happens is some great strengths spotting and occasionally quite a bit of fun.  Strengths awareness truly comes from everyday moments like this.  I am a fi...

People exceptionally talented in the Belief theme have certain core values that are unchanging. Out of these values emerges a defined purpose for their lives. CliftonStrengths This week, our guest blogger is Annette Woodhead. Annette is the Regional Coordinator for the Western Region (or as she likes to say, “the Wild West”) of TeamMates Mentoring Program. Her top 5 Strengths are Responsibility, Belief, Developer, Positivity, and Achiever. Here is what Belief looks like for Annette: If you possess a strong Belief theme, then you have certain core values that are enduring.  Typically, this belief theme causes a person to be family oriented, relationship oriented, and even spiritual and provides direction to your life.  It also demands that you find work that is meaningful and matters to you….. a purpose. I don’t think until I discovered my “strengths” through TeamMates, several years ago, did I understand how I was wired, how God made me uniquely.  I a...

People exceptionally talented in the Arranger theme can organize, but they also have a flexibility that complements this ability. They like to determine how all of the pieces and resources can be arranged for maximum productivity. CliftonStrengths This week, our guest blogger is Sue Kennedy. Sue is the Regional Coordinator for the northern region of our organization. Sue’s top 5 Strengths are Positivity, Includer, Woo, Arranger, and Futuristic. Here is what Arranger looks like for Sue:                 The executing theme of ARRANGER is number four of my top five.  Before learning more about ARRANGER I really thought this theme was COMPETITION.   At my best when dealing with multiple things , and living in the moment, is when I’m most productive! As a child growing up on a ranch I worked along side my Dad who had an incredibly GREAT work ethic.  There was a driving force when...