What you Should know about the StrengthsFinder Theme of Communication®
Have you ever known someone who searches for the perfect expression? Or someone who expresses and re-expresses himself until he feels understood? Or maybe you know someone who comes to work every day with a new hairstyle, accessory, or fashion appliqué?
These people may have the StrengthsFinder Theme of Communication®.
Definition of the StrengthsFinder Theme of Communication®
People with the Strength of Communication® are people who feel they must express themselves, and this expression can take many forms – verbally, artistically, musically, through writing or composition, how one dresses, teaches or even how one tell stories. No matter what the form, Communication®, whether verbal or non-verbal, is about how someone uniquely expresses who they are. It is about how they are feeling and how they are connecting to people all around them. People with the Strength of Communication® want to express themselves in any form and are not afraid to create new and unique ways to do so.
A person with the Strength of Communication® has a profound knack to put thoughts and feelings into words, images, or any variety of expressions. In fact, people with Communication® search for new and concise ways to express the most complex thoughts, ideas, actions, or emotions. Some people with Communication® can do this perfect expression on the spot, while others need time to create it. Either way, this unique ability is a natural and instinctive way of communicating, thinking, and processing.
How Communication® is Generative
People with the Strength of Communication® are generative when they put words to the thoughts and feelings others struggle to express. People with generative Communication® usually take time to listen to others, ask meaningful questions, and give the time needed for others to fully express themselves. In so doing, they are able to gather together all that is heard and restate or reframe those thoughts into a concise, simple, or highly personalized manner that helps people understand and make sense of what is going on.
The ability to help others express themselves might be the most generative expression of Communication®. The ability to bring words of life to others in need tends to form relationships that are deep, meaningful, and bonded over time.
Examples of Communication®
There is a gentleman we know who has the StrengthsFinder Theme of Communication. He can describe a process in as many different ways as needed until you understand. “Is that clear? What about this way? Is this what you mean?” Often he would use many analogies or metaphors to help you better understand. He uses sports analogies, art analogies, or metaphors from nature or childhood. At the core, he must be understood and he wants you to be heard and understood, too.
One woman tried to describe the 7 reasons she didn’t have Communication® as a Strength because she “wasn’t a public speaker.” Her expressing herself in those 7 ways is her Strength of Communication®. Most obvious was how her Communication® Strength came through her choice of bright clothing, changing hair colors, and how she expresses herself through music.
Your Communication®
Do you have the StrengthsFinder Theme of Communication®, or know someone who does? What other behaviors do you see in them?
