My strengths

MAXIMIZER

Excellence, not average, is my measure. Taking something from below average to slightly above average is not very rewarding. Transforming something strong (even if it holds only hidden strengths right now) into something superb takes just as much effort as slightly above average but is much more thrilling. Strengths, whether yours or someone else's, fascinate me. Like a diver after pearls, I search them out, watching for the telltale signs of a strength. Having found a strength, I feel compelled to nurture it, refine it, and stretch it toward excellence. I am attracted to others who seem to have found and cultivated their own strengths. I tend to avoid those who want to fix you and make you well rounded and don't want to spend your life bemoaning what you lack. Rather, I want to capitalize on the gifts with which you are blessed. It's more fun. It's more productive. 

As such, I am looking for roles that with help other people succeed such as managing, teaching, or mentoring.  I want to use my own strengths on a daily basis as work and make them even more excellent.  I also love to spend time learning from or about others who have maximized their strengths and created excellence.

I am Mr. Incredible (from Disney/Pixar "The Incredibles")


LEARNER
I love to learn. I will always be drawn to the process of learning. The process, more than the content or the result, is especially exciting. I am energized by the steady and deliberate journey from ignorance to competence. The thrill of the first few facts, the early efforts to recite or practice what you have learned, the growing confidence of a skill mastered -- this is the process that entices.  It enables me to thrive in dynamic work environments when asked to take on short project assignments and are expected to learn a lot about the new subject matter in a short period of time and then move on to the next one.LEARNER
As I learner, I can be a catalyst for change. Others might be intimidated by new rules, new skills, or new circumstances. My ability to immerse myself in this "newness" can calm their fears and spur them to engage. 
I am a Russell (from Disney's "Up")


CONNECTEDNESS

Things happen for a reason. In my soul I know that we are all connected. Yes, we are individuals, responsible for our own judgments and in possession of our own free will, but nonetheless we are part of something larger.  This feeling of Connectedness implies certain responsibilities. If we are all part of a larger picture, then we must not harm others because we will be harming ourselves. My awareness of these responsibilities creates my value system.  As such I am considerate, caring, and accepting. Certain of the unity of humankind, I can be a bridge builder for people of different cultures. I can give others comfort that there is a purpose beyond our humdrum lives. 

I can work well in roles that cause for listening, coaching and counseling, helping others see purpose in their actions.  I also can build and lead connected teams and help all members feel important as a part of the larger picture.

I am Jiminy Cricket (from Disney's "Pinnochio"),or alternately in a female character I am Pocahontas.

                                           

. POSITIVITIY I am generous with praise, quick to smile, and always on the lookout for the positive in the situation.  People want to be around it. Their world looks better because enthusiasm is contagious. I like to inject fun and drama into every project.  I love to celebrate every achievement. I look for ways to make everything more exciting and more vital. Cynicism in others does not hinder my underlying feeling that it is good to be alive, that work can be fun, and that no matter what the setbacks, one must never lose one's sense of humor. I thrive in roles such as teaching and sales, always looking to the positive.  I love to plan celebrations and recognition for milestones and achievements and am filled with praise and encouragement for others. I am Mater (from Disney/Pixar "Cars") BELIEF I have certain core values that are enduring. This includes being family-oriented, altruistic, even spiritual, and to value responsibility and high ethics -- both in myself and others. They give my life meaning and satisfaction; success is more than money and prestige. They provide me with direction, avoiding distractions and helping me focus my energy toward a consistent set of priorities. This consistency is the foundation for all my relationships. My friends know I am dependable.  Belief makes me easy to trust but also demands that I find work that meshes with my values for helping others. My work must be meaningful; it must matter to me.  I am Buzz Lightyear (from Disney/Pixar "Toy Story")

Toys!

My son Gideon has been such a revelation to me.  My two girls are smart and articulate, opinionated, passionate and charming.  They talked early and often and win people's attention all the time.
Gideon was different.  He didn't point and make eye contact in the same ways as a baby.  He didn't really start talking clearly until almost age four.  He's not very adaptable.
He also surprises us all the time.  Our girls like to learn things from people and show off what they have learned.  Gideon likes to learn on his own time and doesn't feel the need to necessarily show it off at all.  We "accidentally" discovered he could read the entire alphabet at age two (a time when we understood very little of his speech).  He had played alphabet games online and taught himself!
My son has auditory processing disorder.  I grew up in classes with words like "gifted" and "talented" so I didn't come with an innate understanding of special needs.  It's easy for me to see his limitless potential.  He's good at so many things I know the sky is the limit for him.  But I am learning how to have reasonable expectations.  Just because my oldest daughter can understand certain links between cause and effect, action and consequences, it doesn't mean my son will...even if I only try harder.  Some things have to happen in their right time.
So, that is my long introduction to a few proud Dad moments I had in Disneyland last week.  The first was Gideon volunteering and getting picked to "wake up" the animatronic Jose in the Enchanted Tiki Room.  He listened to ALL the directions and said his line loud and clear in front of the whole room.  My wife and I almost cried because it was so special to see him, almost five, doing things we were not sure he would ever be ready for just one short year ago.  I think recognizing and celebrating milestones or landmarks in your life should happen a lot more than it does.  I feel that way as a boss and a teacher too, but especially in my family.

He only wanted a "backside" photo!

And then we discovered Vinylmation.  First my oldest girl got three.  Then the fairness card came out, and Gideon got three as well.  He loves "guys".  If nothing else is available, marker caps make the best "guys".  I have untold number of dried up markers that have lost their caps to imaginative play.  No day is complete without his little bit of solitude where his play men can put on pretend game shows, obstacles course, or just act out his day.  It's a little way he connects with his thoughts and experiences and its very personal to him.  Most of the time he doesn't want anyone to play along with him and his guys.
I think that its part of his emotional learning time, when he can reflect and deal with his experiences much like he taught himself the alphabet.  As a parent I can't necessarily "teach" him during those moments.  I can only give him tools.
Sometimes those tools are vinyl Muppets and monsters so he can sit at the dinner table and have his bit of "routine" even when he is away from the comforts of home.  I love new experiences so it is easy for me to forget how important the little comforts of "normal" are to others sometimes; those controlled, ordinary moments can make his whole day better.  The little guy is starting kindergarten tomorrow (and my oldest is going into fifth grade, which is perhaps the ONLY thing in my life that makes me feel a bit old).  Letting him grow up is hard because I love him so much and I love the time I have had with him, and never want to let it go.  I know that there are many more good new memories to come, but childhood is so special to me.
So...we ended up with thirteen vinylmation characters this trip.  The baby wanted to play like the big kids' toys so Gideon very maturely asked to help buy her one too.  Of course, about an hour later he adopted it himself, but its the thought that counts when you are four, right?  We traded characters, we discovered something new, and we had fun together.
And I have been reflecting on how I can give other tools based on their needs so that they can be successful and thus not as dependent on me.  I love to read, so I love to train employees by passing on articles; but there are some of my staff members that do not reap the benefits from that at all.  Therefore, peer observations is a new tool we are implementing as part of our ongoing staff development.  My recent read "Disney U" has inspired me to review my business training programs.
My son, though, has taught me not just to believe in people, not just encourage them, but to see their needs and provide for them.  And to be surprised because sometimes things you never see coming, a moment of growth, may just pop up and make you cry.
Oh, and I learned that toys are fun.  Never leave home without them!!

Management is an art

I am grateful for every lesson I have learned through every day of experience.

Perseverance pays off

So....I cry at the opening of "Up" every time. But I still love it.

Limitless

Thirty

One of the most revolutionary books I ever read was Malcolm Gladwell's "Outliers".  I am a big fan of all of his books, but this one is most significant to me.

I was reminded it of again recently when I listened to a very interesting TED talk (I am telling you, I love my TED talk app on my cell phone!).  Because I just turned thirty the title caught my eye quickly: "Why 30 is not the new 20"

To summarize the talk in my own words, life is cumulative.  As Bernstein said, to accomplish anything great we must have great ideas and not quite enough time.  There is no time to waste.

Thirty isn't when life begins, it is when it can take off.

Malcolm Gladwell says the same thing: that early advantages are advantages for life.  The more experiences, the more skills, the more "identity capital" (Meg Jay's term) you can gain early on, the more it will propel you forward.

This is really important to me with my kids.  It has led me to do all sorts of reading and pondering on parenting style (yes, I even read "Battle Hymn of a Tiger Mom").  I want a solid lifelong relationship with my children, but I also want to prepare them for the best life they can have.  No amount of money can do for them what their experiences will.  My goal is to show my children a lot of grace, but also propel them always forward.

It is also important to me with myself.  I gained a lot of "identify capital" in my twenties:

Finishing my university degree at age 18

Getting married at 19 (ten years and going strong!)

Having my first child at 20

Buying a house and starting a business at 21

and the list goes on.

 I am so grateful for my in-laws and the travel experiences I have had with them, which otherwise I probably would not have gotten to do until I was older. 

Some experiences take perseverance, like building a successful school with hundreds of students.  It has taken seven years.  My twenties made me feel pretty richly prepared for my thirties.  That doesn't mean I have peaked yet, though.  All of that was just the foundation for what is coming next.

In addition to my career move, I am returning to finish an MBA.  I am excited to build on my practical experience building my business and learn even more, gaining more "capital".  Working with the Pixar company is a chance to accomplish another something great.  I am moving forward believing there is not quite enough time to accomplish it all.  So let's go!