Look at your top five Signature themes. Using the Outhouse Penthouse Table below, input the descriptions of each theme and answer the following questions using your workbook, or download the word or PDF version (you may need five copies), or simply write your answers in a journal or diary. Remember, you will grow your knowledge and understanding by handwriting your answers. Answer as little or as much detail as you feel worthy.
Outhouse and Raw Description:
Describe a time you were using this theme from the outhouse. What were your thought processes, how did you feel and how did those around you respond?
Imagine, how will you manage this situation differently in the future?
Describe how the outcome will be better?
Penthouse and Mature Description:
Describe a time you were using this theme from the penthouse. What were your thought processes, how did you feel and how did those around you respond?
Imagine, how you will intentionally lead from the penthouse?
Remember to repeat this for each of your top five talent themes.
Outhouse to Penthouse Table
Using the descriptions of each talent theme below, use the words and phrases that resonate most with you and input them into the answers above. Notice the slight differences in language and how each theme can be used (and seen by others). Note: The different colours represent the different domains. Purple: Executing, Yellow: Influencing, Blue: Relationship Building, Red: Strategic Thinking.
I find it difficult to say no. I overcommit and feel compelled to burn the candle at both ends, often to meet unrealistic deadlines. I am often concentrate too much on work. I must keep busy doing anything.
I work hard and possess a great deal of stamina. I take immense satisfaction in being busy and productive. I lead by example and I produce needed results.
I can be a loose cannon with a ‘ready-fire-aim’ approach. I’m may be impatient and speak before thinking. I feel frustrated when others can’t keep up. I push impulsively, impatiently & indiscriminately.
I’m a fearless self-starter who has the energy to make things happen. I turn thoughts into action. I push intentionally, urgently & relevantly.
I can sometimes be directionless, indecisive, inconclusive and whimsical. My attention span may be short.
I tend to go with the flow. I am flexible, comfortable in times of change and easy to get along with. My intense, real-time awareness helps me to respond with immediacy.
I can be critical and skeptical. I may often ask too many confronting or inappropriate questions in a quest to find answers. I am rarely satisfied with answers.
I am able to see the patterns of truth and can sort through factors that may effect a situation. I’m comfortable with numbers, charts and figures and apply a logical, thorough thought process. I make meaningful sense of complex realities.
I have a lack of structure or may be too flexible. I may not follow existing rules or procedures. I can be difficult to follow because of my constantly changing priorities. I often shakes things up when I’m bored.
I am flexible, an organiser and a juggler who aligns and realigns tasks to find the most productive configuration possible. I can be an efficient conductor. I productively and simultaneously manage multiple processes, activities and people.
I can be stubborn and set in my ways. I am an elitist, unaccepting of other people’s ideas, and an opinionated, goody-two-shoes. I move away from or push against others with differing values.
I have a lack of structure or may be too flexible. I may not follow existing rules or procedures. I can be difficult to follow because of my constantly changing priorities. I often shakes things up when I’m bored.
I am passionate, a steadfast and others know where I stand. I am altruistic, family oriented, ethical, and responsible. I move toward and engage with those who have differing values.
I appear bossy, domineering, rude, abrupt, short, strong-willed, inflexible and stubborn. I tend to resists external authority and control.
I use charisma to be direct and driven. I can be inspirational, easy to follow, clear, and concise to support myself and others. I exert authority and control in situations where others maybe are lacking.
I am often a poor listener. I chatter continually and need constant attention. I tend to show-off or be self-absorbed. I have often been in trouble for talking too much.
I am a storyteller who is easy to talk to, energising and entertaining. I have charisma and presence. My words build understanding, relationships & inspiration. Talking through ideas allows me to solidify my thoughts.
I want to compete even when there no one else competing. I can be self-centred and put others down. I may have ‘Dummy spits’ after a loss. I despise losing, and feel shattered after a loss. I loathe people who defeat me.
I aspire to be the best and inspire those around me to achieve their highest levels of performance. Even though losing is painful, I respect those who defeat me because I can use the feeling as a source of motivation for doing better next time.
I can be be passive, naïve, and overly idealistic. I may sense connections where there aren’t any. I have an awareness of something beyond the physical.
I tend to go with the flow. I am flexible, comfortable in times of change and easy to get along with. My intense, real-time awareness helps me to respond with immediacy.
I can sometimes be a little too much “by the book”, inflexible, and unwilling to customise/individualise. I enjoy unchanging predictable environments. I follow the letter of the law.
I am a problem-solver and policy maker who builds upon a platform where everyone is entitled to the same treatment. I demand fairness for people & efficiency of performance. I follow the spirit of the law.
I maybe slow to move or react to change. I can be closed-minded, and tend to live in the past. My love of yesterday can keep me from moving forward.
I have a robust historical frame of reference, and love to learn lessons from the past. I know how things came to be, and can leverage knowledge of the past. My memory insures that the best of the past will be preserved.
I can be standoffish, aloof, cautious, slow, introverted, and afraid to act. I am sensitive to the scary, risky nature of the world. I can be too cautious because I scare easily.
I have good judgment, and can identify risk. I make solid decisions and can plan for the unexpected. I use careful vigilance that protects and prevents danger and problems. I am cautious because I care deeply.
I may spectate rather than contributes or may pressure people into doing things they don’t feel comfortable doing or is not within their strength. I often invest too much time trying to help people who do not want to (or can not) be helped. All potential is equally important and the key to growth is my investment.
I enjoy helping others succeed and recognise the innate potential in others. I’m often a teacher or coach who nurtures that potential in others by recognising and encouraging improvement. I understand the key to growth is someone else’s potential and carefully choose who to invest time in so resources are used productively.
I may be overbearing, rigid, mechanised, and I can’t handle change. If my world is out of order, I am a mess.
I provide a high level of productivity and accuracy. I have an ability to create structure by breaking what’s complex into manageable steps. I’m a great planner who promotes efficiency. I can help restore order when someone else’s world is a mess, .
I can be moody and find it difficult to separate the emotion from a situation. I often focus on negative emotions and have difficulty shutting off from the emotions of others. Tears express my own sadness, anger and joy.
I create trust, bring healing and know what to say and do for others. I usually customise my approach to the person. I cry with those who cry and cheer with those who cheer
I am often overly absorbed in a tasks. I sometimes find it tough to relax and can be intense and stressed. My concentration leads to social & intellectual isolation.
I am disciplined, purposeful and have laser-like precision. I identify important areas quickly. I set goals and regularly achieve them. I am intentional about important priorities.
My attention wanders while dreaming about what may be. My ideas may not be practical. I often escape reality by living in a dream world. I tend to use my imagination to escape the prison of today.
I am inspired by the potential of what could be. I energise others with visions of the future. I am imaginative, creative and a visionary. I create a better world by transforming dreams into reality. I use my imagination to cast a vision of a better tomorrow.
I can be indecisive and reluctant to share my feelings and opinions. I need peace.
I have a natural capacity for practicality and enhancing collaboration. I bring peace.
I may offer impractical ideas and create more work for others. My good ideas may remain as good ideas and not be acted upon. I can become lost in the ideas of daydreams. I am fascinated by a world of fantasy. I may become frustrated if my ideas are not heard.
I am able to improve on what currently exists. I learn quickly and have an agile mind. I use my ability to imagine and innovate to make a reality better. When my ideas are turned down or overlooked, I create better ones.
I am generous to a fault. I can be indiscriminate and invite too many people into a situation. I dislike segregation.
I invite others into a group. I’m caring and know how to engage with others because I am sensitive, tolerant and like to ensure everyone is considered. I promote and facilitate integration.
I focus on the individual, often at the expense of the group. I may not follow generalised guidelines and take a long time to make a decision that affects people. I’m intrigued by a person, but oblivious to the group.
I appreciate the differences in others and fascinated by their distinctive abilities. I see the uniqueness in all individuals and intuitively know that “one size doesn’t fit all”. I help people stand out within a group.
I know a lot of vague ideas and am surrounded by clutter (physical and psychological). I can be seen as a boring conversationalist. I collect things.
I recognise great resources because I have a mind for detail and an effective memory. I collect interesting things and therefore may be an excellent conversationalist. I collect things that are useful & I share them with those who might benefit from that use.
I can be a loner, slow to act and lose time thinking too much. I’m often isolated and prefer not to work with others. My need for introspection keeps me from interaction.
I am an excellent thinker, enjoy musing, and capable of deep and philosophical thought. I am able to work alone. My deep self-reflection is a prelude to deep conversation.
I tend to be more focused on the learning than producing anything with what has been learnt. I ask a lot of questions but rarely focus on results. I maybe a know it all and often my curiosity dissolves into boredom.
I find life intriguing and am interested in many things. I seek continuous improvement and often understand quickly. The process of learning, excites me more than the outcome. I’ll fully explore something new in order to explain it clearly to someone.
I am a perfectionist, and often very picky. Always reworking things because they’re never good enough. Impatient with weakness & critical of those who are weak.
I will take things to the next level, and strive for excellence. I offer an environment for those around me to achieve mastery, success and excellence. I work with the best and show people how they can be their best. I am a guardian and curator of that which is strong.
I often appear superficial and naïve, especially if a positive approach seems unrealistic. Unhappy people make me unhappy, so I avoid them.
I have a contagious enthusiasm that people gravitate toward. I encourage people to be hopeful and productive. I tend to be lighthearted, optimistic, energetic, and generous with praise. I make unhappy people happy.
I am very selective and often play favourites. I may find it difficult to start relationships and may be prone to build cliques. I’m most comfortable with my friends.
I enjoy close relationships with others. I find a deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a common goal. I am most able to comfort my friends.
I find it challenging to let others take charge and tend to micromanage them. I over commit and can be obsessive about getting it ‘right’. I feel continuous external pressure to do the right thing.
I am conscientious and true to my word and I always fulfil my promises. I accept ownership of my thoughts, emotions and actions. I feel internal pleasure when I am doing the right thing.
I may be perceived as negative because I continually looks for problems. I have an eye for what is wrong, but lack the effort or solution to fix it.
I am seen as a problem solver and troubleshooter who finds improvements and solutions. I see the beauty in brokenness and enjoy contributing to healing.
I can be arrogant, self-righteous, over confident, and stubborn. I may be wrong, but I doubt it.
I am self-confident and my strong inner compass allows me to feel comfortable being a risk-taker. I have a certainty that is open to being made more certain.
I often seek attention as well as credit for what has been done. I may have an active ego and need the attention of others. I feel good when I am seen & heard.
I have high standards and are very independent. I look for outstanding performance and do things of importance. I do good by gaining attention for a cause.
I am often quick to criticise existing processes. Find it difficult to make a decision. At times can jump to quick decisions, be difficult to understand and thought processes seem closed-minded. The pursuit of the best path delays the start of the journey.
I anticipate alternatives and intuitively see multiple paths. I apply imagination and a creative persistence to finding the best path. I give broad consideration, rapid elimination and real initiation.
I often give the impression of being fake and shallow. I don’t seem to care about deep relationships. I have social courage without reason or cause.
I am outgoing, people-oriented, networked, and a rapport-builder. I offer intentional social initiative to build a supportive social infrastructure.
Let’s now look at each of your individual themes and answer questions directed at common areas of your life and work. Use your workbook, download the word or PDF version, or simply write your answers in a journal or diary. You will need five copies if you are downloading the paper version. Remember, you will achieve more success and grow your knowledge and understanding by handwriting your answers. Answer as little or as much detail as you feel worthy.
How can I direct this theme in my career?
How can I direct this theme in my leadership?
How can I direct this theme in my relationships?
How can I direct this theme in my teamwork?
How can I direct this theme in my personal well-being?
How can I direct this theme in my professional growth?
How can I direct this theme in my problem-solving?
How can I direct this theme in my communication?
How can you combine your talents to gain a greater understanding of yourself?
This exercise provides the opportunity to play with “strengths dynamics” or “strengths partnerships”. Pairing together two of your top five talent themes.
Use your workbook, download the word or PDF version, or simply write your answers in a journal or diary. You will need five copies if you are downloading the paper version. Remember, you will achieve more success and grow your knowledge and understanding by handwriting your answers. Answer as little or as much detail as you feel worthy.
Using the Strengths Combination Table below combine your talents and select one theme Combination Description (adjective) and pair it with one theme Characteristic (noun) to provide you an empowering phrase for two of your strengths. Each description and characteristic may remain consistent throughout your answers or may vary depending on the pairing. You may adapt the descriptive word (adjective) to become a verb, eg initiator (description) organiser (characteristic) may become ‘initiating organiser’.
Then write four empowering statements relating to each talent theme.
Once you have completed the first table for strength 1, move onto the next table for strength 2. For the example below, Theme 2 would be Connectedness and the Combination Themes become Maximiser, Ideation, Activator and Futuristic.
Example
Top 5 – 1. Maximiser, 2. Connectedness, 3. Ideation, 4. Activator, 5. Futuristic
Combination Table
Driven, Persistent, Productive, Hardworking
Worker, Producer, Performer, Driver
Energetic, Initiator, Dynamic, Driven, action orientated
Initiator, Catalyst, Energiser, Starter
Flexible, Present, Responsive, Easygoing
Adapter, Responder, Improviser, Accommodator
Logical, Data-driven, Critical, Objective
Thinker, Researcher, Examiner, Critic
Flexible, Coordinated, Efficient, Organiser
Organiser, Coordinator, Planner, Adjuster
Purposeful, Values-driven, Grounded, Ethical
Advocate, Moralist, Guide, Visionary
Confident, Decisive, Bold, Authoritative
Leader, Director, Decision-maker, Influencer
Expressive, Storyteller, Engaging, Clarifier
Messenger, Storyteller, Spokesperson, Presenter
Driven, Winning-focused, Benchmarking, Determined
Contender, Challenger, Performer, Benchmark
Holistic, Perceptive, Purposeful, Unifying
Unifier, Philosopher, Linker, Harmoniser
Fair, Just, Equitable, Methodical
Equaliser, Standard-bearer, Mediator, Stabiliser
Historical, Retrospective, Grounded, Perspective-giver
Historian, Storyteller, Archivist, Interpreter
Careful, Private, Cautious, Risk-aware
Evaluator, Guardian, Analyser, Planner
Historical, Retrospective, Grounded, Perspective-giver
Mentor, Coach, Nurturer, Teacher
Organised, Structured, Precise, Detail-oriented
Perfectionist, Organiser, Scheduler, Regulator
Emotionally-aware, Compassionate, Intuitive, Relational
Listener, Relator, Counselor, Supporter
Concentrated, Goal-oriented, Directed, Determined
Goal-setter, Prioritiser, Executor, Finisher
Visionary, Forward-thinking, Imaginative, Dreamer
Visionary, Dreamer, Innovator, Planner
Consensus-seeking, Mediator, Cooperative, Peaceful
Mediator, Peacemaker, Negotiator, Collaborator
Creative, Innovative, Conceptual, Brainstormer
Brainstormer, Innovator, Creator, Conceptualiser
Welcoming, Accepting, Integrating, Inclusive
Welcomer, Integrator, Connector, Bridge
Customising, Perceptive, Observant, Tailored
Customiser, Observer, Tailor, Interpreter
Collecting, Resourceful, Inquisitive, Curious
Collector, Gatherer, Curator, Researcher
Reflective, Intellectual, Deep-thinker, Philosophical
Philosopher, Thinker, Debater, Analyser
Curious, Knowledge-seeking, Studious, Growth-focused
Student, Researcher, Explorer, Seeker
Excellence-seeking, Perfectionist, Quality-focused, Refiner
Refiner, Optimiser, Quality-seeker, Improver, Leader
Optimistic, Energetic, Enthusiastic, Uplifting
Cheerleader, Optimist, Motivator, Encourager
Loyal, Trustworthy, Intimate, Relationship-focused
Confidant, Partner, Ally, Friend
Dependable, Accountable, Conscientious, Loyal
Caretaker, Steward, Executor, Trustkeeper
Problem-solver, Fixer, Analytical, Resilient
Fixer, Problem-solver, Repairer, Healer
Confident, Decisive, Independent, Self-reliant
Confidant, Leader, Influencer, Decision-maker
Purposeful, Aspirational, Performance-driven, Recognised
Performer, Trailblazer, Role-model, Visionary
Visionary, Planner, Insightful, Problem-solver
Planner, Visionary, Mapper, Problem-solver
Charismatic, Outgoing, Social, Engaging
Connector, Networker, Influencer, Charmer
Early in this process you read about mapping for success and identified certain outcomes you wanted to achieve. It’s now time to revisit those outcomes and refine and add to them. Have they changed? Are they more specific? How confident are you that you will achieve them? Answer the following questions using all the tools you have learnt throughout this process.
Use your workbook, download the word or PDF version, or simply write your answers in a journal or diary. You will need five copies if you are downloading the paper version. Remember, you will achieve more success and grow your knowledge and understanding by handwriting your answers. Answer as little or as much detail as you feel worthy.
What would I like to achieve? Why is this important to me? (Determine specific destination, measurability, and timeframe)
How can I measure my progress? Identify points of progress and stay on track – test and measure (Recognise Progress Markers)
Does how you feel, impact your performance? How can you use what you have learnt over the past weeks to develop a continuous pattern of performance? How will you commit to creating a habit for success?
How will I know when I am successful? (Make adjustments and alignments)
What am I focusing on now? (Be resourceful)
What helps me believe in myself? (Celebrate Success)
Use your workbook, download the word or PDF version, or simply write your answers in a journal or diary. You will need five copies if you are downloading the paper version. Remember, you will achieve more success and grow your knowledge and understanding by handwriting your answers. Answer as little or as much detail as you feel worthy.
What Big Ass Achievement will give me fulfilment and happiness and create success in my life?
Why do I want to achieve my BAA?
What two leads measures do I need to set?
Which talent will best connect me to my BAA and why?
How can I use this talent to achieve my BAA?
How have I used this strength successfully in the past?
How will I know I’m applying this talent resourcefully?
What other talents can I combine to achieve my BAA and why?
How will I know I have achieved my BAA?
What will success look like?
What will success sound like?
What will success feel like?
What will happen when I achieve my BAA?
What won’t happen when I achieve my BAA?
What will happen if I don’t achieve my BAA?
What won’t happen if I don’t achieve my BAA?
Let’s now look at each of your individual themes and answer similar questions more specifically. For example, answer each question five times relating to each theme using your workbook, or download the word or PDF version, or simply write your answers in a journal or diary. Remember, you will grow your knowledge and understanding by handwriting your answers. Answer as little or as much detail as you feel worthy.
Each question in this exercise relates to one of the four domains: executing, influencing, relationship building, and strategic thinking. The goal is to help you understand how you can use your strengths to support each domain. For example, you might use your relationship-building strengths to help with execution. This approach encourages you to lean into your strengths instead of relying on weaker areas from other domains. Does that make sense?
How does this theme help me get things done (executing)?
How do I inspire others using this theme (influencing)?
How does this theme help me develop stronger relationships (relationship building)?
How does this theme help me think and plan (strategic thinking)?