• Home
  • Training
  • Coaching
  • Tool Box
    • Tools
    • Working Remote Resources
  • Events
    • Webinars
  • About
    • Join Our Team
  • Contact
    • 317 (983-2459)

October 19, 2018 by Drew Kincius Leave a Comment

Embracing Assessments for Authentic Self-Discovery

self-discovery

10.19.18 | Kendrea Williams | 

As many of you may (or may not) know, I consider myself a novice in navigating the tech ecosystem. From learning to code to discovering how to manage and deliver software products, this past year provided an immersive experience in personal discovery. By unpacking how to overcome these new career challenges through exploring new ways of doing business, I am identifying a new me.

Now, when I say that I am “discovering a new me,” I am referring to the realization of my underlying strengths and weaknesses since I embarked on this new journey. I’ve taken a plethora of assessments as part of this adventure, including DISC Assessments, Kolbe Evaluations, and Clifton Strengths,  in addition to employer-provided skill assessments apps such as Agile Onion and Pocket Prof.

I can wholeheartedly confess that I’ve improved my ability to define my personal and professional strengths and weaknesses accurately. It’s been instrumental in my transition from the not-for-profit sector into a career in technology.

Digging In

So what did these assessments reveal? Plenty; a plethora of new things about me personally and professionally. My initial takeaway was beginning to understand my values and what guided me in my professional work. Don’t get me wrong – we are all raised with a particular set of values, whether good or bad, which guide us into our adult years. However, we are rarely directed about professional values.  “Ideal” professional ideologies should come naturally from our “ideal” personal values, well, at least they are supposed to be, right?

According to Gallup, the most dynamic people are those who truly and deeply understand their strengths and behaviors. This recognition of the skills you have acquired throughout your career can provide you with an underlying sense of your current abilities, as well as an accurate perspective regarding your natural talents. All of which offers a keen insight regarding your professional “why.”

It’s essential for an individual to find out where their work values lie.  When we value our contributions, we increase the chances of being satisfied in our careers.  Though not every job will fulfill our every move, knowing what we appreciate upfront is essential to determining if that outstanding job offer is from a company whose culture and values are somewhat in alignment with ours.

The Big Reveal

Here’s what I discovered from these assessments regarding my strengths:

  • Contextual: Looking back to the past to understand the present.  I like to ask questions and allow the blueprints to emerge.
  • Restorative: Enjoy the challenge of solving problems by analyzing the solution.  I like to bring things back to life.
  • Strategic: (my favorite and most likely most dominate trait) It is not a skill that can be taught. I am always playing out scenarios and asking, “what if this happened.”
  • Developer: Ability to see the potential in others.  In my view, everyone is a work in progress, and I enjoy helping them discover their potential.
  • Input: Collecting and holding onto things of interest. It’s true, while I would not consider myself a hoarder, I can pride myself on my impressive home library…i.e., book collection.

Moving Forward

Empowered with this information, I have found areas of weakness where I could use additional training, as well as rediscovering areas of strength.

Diving in with these assessments has been incredibly valuable in helping me know the real me. I challenge you to take the time to invest in yourself and empower your authentic identity.

Let’s connect. 
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | www.beLithe.com

Filed Under: Blog, Branding Yourself, Inspiration, Leadership, People, Uncategorized, women in technology

July 3, 2018 by Chris Daily Leave a Comment

Andrew: First Post on becoming an Xtern

Coming into this spring semester, I wasn’t very optimistic at landing a summer internship. I had been so busy with academics, football, and my extra curriculars that I had virtually no time to even look for an internship.

Ironically, I work for Wabash College’s Career Services department. I received an email from one of my employers at school letting me know about the final day to apply for the TechPoint Xtern internship. I’m nowhere near being a tech guy, so I was reluctant to apply for a marketing position knowing that I didn’t have any tech experience. Understanding that it was the last day to apply, I wasn’t expecting to receive any response at all.  My thinking was that they had already selected the candidates. Surprisingly I received an email saying that I had advanced to the next round.

In this next round, I was tasked with creating a press release to showcase my capabilities as a marketing intern. This assignment that took me nearly 6 hours to complete. Perhaps that was too much time to put into it, but I’m naturally thorough when I work on projects that interest me.  Also, I’m a huge overthinker which made me think twice about every word I wrote. This was nothing more than the perfectionist in me, a helpful yet problematic flaw. Despite my own self-doubt I received another email letting me know I would be moving on in the hiring process. At this point I was confident that I would be selected because I figured that once given an interview I can convince anyone that I am a good asset to their team, after all I am a Rhetoric major. And I did.

I was contacted by Christopher Daily of just to have a casual conversation about beLithe as a company. I wanted to know what agile training was first and foremost but also how to become apart of the company. Sure enough one conversation turned into another and sprouted into a summer position doing research and marketing. I was elated to have an internship at all after searching for the better part of the spring semester.   It never actually hit me as to how important being an Xtern was until one of my superiors at work (Roland Morin) explained to me that only two Wabash students were selected to participate in this entire program. Hours before, I found out I would’ve been happy with any internship and knowing that I got something that very few people have is still sinking in for me. Knowing that I am one of two students selected I made it a personal goal to represent Wabash well. I expect to be challenged and I am looking forward to the uncomfortable parts of this summer that will help me grow.  I’ve been given the opportunity to work in a unique space with a unique company and make unique connections which I’ve been able to realize on my first day of work this summer.

Andrew

Andrew Tandy is a Junior Trainer plying his wares at beLithe.  Andrew will start his senior year at Wabash College this fall.

 

Filed Under: Andrew Tandy, People, xtern

UPCOMING EVENTS

Jan
26
Jan 26 : 08:36pm EST - Jan 26 : 08:36pm EST
Learn More
Jan
26
Jan 26 : 08:36pm EST - Jan 26 : 08:36pm EST
Learn More
Jan
26
Jan 26 : 08:36pm EST - Jan 26 : 08:36pm EST
Learn More
Jan
26
Jan 26 : 08:36pm EST - Jan 26 : 08:36pm EST
Learn More
Jan
26
Jan 26 : 08:36pm EST - Jan 26 : 08:36pm EST
Learn More

Call Us:

(317) 983-2459

#SLINKYTHINK:
DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX

We love Agile. We're obsessed with delivering value to you.

Sign up for insightful thought leadership on people, culture, and Agile. It's what we do.

Footer Form

© COPYRIGHT 2015-2020 BELITHE, LLC · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy