Communi- cation: What it really means
StrengthsFinder Theme/CliftonStrengths Theme: COMMUNICATION
What Is the COMMUNICATION Theme
Those with the strength of Communication are the naturally engaging people in our lives who can fluently express the intricacies of life and the world. Perhaps it’s through words—a traditional speech, a presentation, or casual conversation. Maybe it’s through a painting or a poem. Or, it might even be through movement and body language. Whatever the case, they make the complicated, clear; the invisible, visible; and the unsaid, sayable. They have the gift of being able to shed light on a given topic so that it is more fully expressed, more correctly understood, and more acutely felt. People with Communication are always striving to externalize their own inner-world or that of others—whether that be with language, art, fashion, music, writing, social media presence, home or elsewhere. For them, it’s not about simply getting the point across; it’s about being seen and felt authentically. They intuitively identify the essence of things—the true core—and then bring it to the surface in a way that others can grasp and follow. Think: The right words at the right time and in the right order. And, they are generally willing to labor in order to embody their point truly and fully. They may spend hours re-working a few sentences or take extra care in choosing the perfect outfit for an occasion. It is essential to them to cultivate an outward expression that is accurate to who they are, how they think, and what they are feeling at that particular point in time. Pure expression is central to their world view and to have their uniqueness seen, heard, and felt by others is key. They remind us that we are each inimitable and that our individual voices and experiences matter, and we all win when we are all seen.
Why Should We Care
Because they are skilled at defining, refining, and expressing their own perception and viewpoint, they can generally help others do the same—this includes helping an entire organization find its voice or define its brand. People with Communication are the ones who can give clarity to those faced with complex situations and issues. Others might notice and comment on their intelligence, creativity, or clarity in addition to their overall authenticity, confidence, and originality. People with this strength can process and synthesize great amounts of information—sorting out the nuances and complexities when necessary, or honing in on the broad strokes, generalities, and overlap of big ideas. They help us whittle down what is necessary, so that there are no ‘extra parts’ when it comes to communicating a point. In their presence we often feel uplifted and more clearheaded, they help us articulate parts of ourselves, our lives, and the world when things feel confusing, endarkened, or overwhelming. In that way, Communication people shed light on the truths within us and help wake us up to new dimensions of ourselves.
Ten Things to Know About People with COMMUNICATION
1. Refining. While they are expressive, they are also concise. People with the strength of Communication are always looking for better, more refined ways of bringing their ideas and projects to light. Always improving is often a completely natural way of life for them.
2. Aliveness. Living in their fullest expression means marching to their own drummer. They are often self-assured, competent, and somewhat eccentric. They also have a tendency to explain or share in words spontaneously what they are thinking, feeling, or doing in a given moment.
3. Claustrophobia. Being asked or demanded to ‘tone it down’ is likely to be insulting to them. It’s like asking them to hide who they are, be someone else, or make themselves small. It can be hurtful, even damaging.
4. Figurative Language. They know that speaking directly on a topic may not always work. So, they usually have a knack for reinventing ideas and descriptions through analogies and metaphor. Don’t be surprised if they perpetually illuminate one idea by comparing it to another.
5. Extrovert/Introvert. The emphasis is on being who they are and for some that means telling the world. For others, it means waking up and being comfortable in their own skin, in their own local circles. Whatever the case, people with Communication can not be lumped, generally, into a introvert or extrovert camps.
6. Always ON. They are constantly looking for newer and better ways of saying things and expressing things. Refining and revisiting over and over again.
7. Improv vs. preparation. The key for them is finding the clearest and truest way to express ideas, feelings, and thoughts. For some, this means careful preparation and drafting; for others, this means relaxing and tapping into their creative spontaneity (aka shooting from the hip). One way is not better or worse than the other.
8. Words Matter. Finding the perfect way to deliver a message or make a point can be a sacred act for them—they know how powerful it can be and what an impact it can make. For that reason, they may be hyper-sensitive to instances when others may use persuasive power to manipulate or scam others.
9. Precise and Articulate. Complex but not complicated may be a perfect motto for them, as they do not shy away from multifaceted, byzantine concepts. In fact, they have a tendency to lean toward them, enjoying the challenge of finding the best and most precise way of expressing and sharing them.
10. Love. They will likely feel and experience love from others who support them in their ever- deepening pursuit of self-expression. It is, in fact, a need. Being visible is important to them and having their voice heard is essential, so spaciousness and unconditional acceptance is the foundation of their deepest connections.