“Man! That guy at church is always talking about Hitler and how our country is going down the tubes because of the President. He won’t give it a rest!”
“I’m ready for a night out with the girls! All my husband wants to do is watch docu-dramas and documentaries on TV. B-O-R-I-N-G!”
“Mike, over in accounting, is constantly reminding us why things failed the last time. I don’t understand why he always has to bring that up… It puts a damper on the whole meeting.”
The Context theme looks back at the past.
Strengths: Looking Back for Answers
Have you ever worked with someone who was constantly bringing up the past, and reminding you of what happened, “last time?” Or someone who is extremely interested in looking at politics through the lens of World War II? Or maybe you have an uncle who never has forgotten a single thing you did when you were younger and brings it up at the dinner table every Thanksgiving? You may be encountering someone with the #StrengthsFinder talent theme of #Context.
Context: The Historians of Life
Those who are high in Context are the historians of our lives. They love to think about history, read about history, and they’re always thirsty to learn more about history. They may be voracious readers of historical fiction. Or maybe they are interested in a specific era, generation or time period. They might even be the family genealogist, who has documented the generations back to 1658. They see the world through glasses that link patterns from the past to the present to the future. They have great respect for heros and other brave souls who have gone before us. They always need the back-story and are always asking, “And before that, what happened?” They want to know what brought us to today — this present moment. Their historical references can help us make better decisions because they know what happened before, and can help us discern how to avoid past mistakes, and even how to capitalize on previous successes.
Historical Reference
My friend, Don, is strong in the gift of Context. He’s an excellent financial planner because he gains wisdom through understanding a client’s past investment strategies. It gives him insight into their habits, priorities and interests. By understanding their history, he sees patterns that will help him guide them into an excellent future.
Love Those Who Bring Context
So the next time you hear someone talk about the past, consider that they are illuminating things that YOU didn’t remember. Ask them for more, to go deeper. Give them time in new situations to “ground” themselves with their unique, historical perspective. They will add value to your project, your ideas, and your life. When working with someone who his strong in Context, ask yourself: how can the the past help us in what we’re doing right now and in the future.
Find all your Strengthsfinder resources at http://gallupstrengthscenter.com.
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