“My neighbor collects anything to do with Barbie dolls. Seriously, she’s got a massive collection that spills all over her house! And she can tell you anything you’d wanna know about Barbie and her evolution.”
“How long is he gonna keep those files? I mean, good grief! It is the 21st Century! He needs to trash that stuff or get it changed to digital!”
“We have been carting those albums around the country for years! Every time we move, we move those crates. Not a single record has been played since 1985. ‘They’re worth money!’ he says. Give me Sirius radio any day!”
Input: Craving to Know More
Strengths: Thirsty for Information
Are you frustrated by someone in your life who seems hyper-focused on their favorite subject, collection or passion? Are they incessant collectors of pottery, or hummingbirds or antique clocks? Maybe they collect coins or phrases, or something as odd to you as…. irises! Their collections, their files, their archives, their file folders on their computers — whatever it is that they collect, it seems to spill over into YOUR life!
Input: The Serious Collector
Those high in the StrengthsFinder talent theme of Input are serious about collecting things and organizing them into ways that make sense to them and bring order to the information. Mostly, they are collecting information — data, details, stories, and sometimes, tidbits of trivia. And they mostly collect information that they’re interested in, and often, that interest will turn into a full-blown PASSION. That’s when the collection gets massive — their computer runs out of gigabytes, their storage unit gets full or their private stockpile of antique depression glass blows into your space.
They may also have favorite news sources where they seek Input every day. They can quickly scan headlines to see if it’s something they need to save for a rainy day. Someone might need it!
Input: Collectors in areas of passion
It Needs to be Gathered and Saved
My friend, Chris, has the talent theme of Input. He’s an insurance agent who is especially interested in health care options. He’s up on the changes in the law, as well as each difference in policies so that he can meet the needs of his client. Every day, he quickly scans his news sources that are already set up. He uses digital file folders to archive and store the mass quantity of information that is produced in the industry daily. And at the very moment he needs it for a client, he knows exactly where to lay his hands on it!
Love Your Input Lover
The next time you encounter someone who craves and saves information, recognize that the shear width and depth of the information they hold in their heads, files or even their garages, makes them an expert you can depend on in their areas of interest and passion. They will have something akin to a photographic memory when it comes to something they’re excited about and they can be trusted as a valuable resource.
Connecting someone to the information they have stored (either in their heads or in the flesh) gives them a thrill. They will find what you need quickly! Find ways to link them to others in their common areas of interest. If you know of more resources, feed them more information around their areas of passion.
When dealing with someone who has the Strength of Input, ask yourself: What kinds of information do they archive, and where do we need to save and file our information?
Find all your Strengthsfinder resources at http://gallupstrengthscenter.com.
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