Embracing a Strengths-Based Approach in My PhD Journey

Competition | Futuristic | Focus | Input | Command

“What excites me about the PhD program?”

When Cate Schlobohm, Outreach and Programming Manager with the WVU Purpose Center asked me this question, to be very honest, it was hard to think of an answer; it was a particularly tough week for me.

I met with Cate for an individual coaching session to discuss my CliftonStrengths results – a talent-based assessment developed using Gallup polling data.

I reflected on the good days (or, sometimes just good hours) in my work. I thought about finishing an especially dense theory reading, telling my latest victim (usually a friend I am texting) the “synopsis for dummies.”

Or how I failed my math placement tests in high school, but now I am coding based on advanced calculus techniques – and making a GitHub repository so others can do it too!

Like some kind of corporate palm reader, Cate told me that of course I like these kinds of research and communication activities, Input is in my top 5 strengths. To me, the world is exciting because it is so complex and novel. I love to learn, and archive information – not just for the sake of learning, but to be able to share, develop, and apply tangible and useful resources that facilitate growth. One such resource that I am currently working on is a LinkedIn data analysis for highly competitive award recipients.

The mention of this project brought our individual coaching session to the topic of my number one strength: Competition

A week prior, I met Cate in a team coaching session with the Comm PhD second-year seminar. I mentioned that people labeled as “competitive” generally have a negative connotation – they are cutthroat, never satisfied, or even narcissistic.

Competition is rooted in comparison. The phrase “comparison is the thief of joy” comes to mind. The desire to always be the best usually carries the subtext “at any cost.”

As I reflected more on this trait, I know I do not align with these undesirable sides of Competition – I work well with others; in fact, I thrive with a good team. Comparison can be a good thing: “a rising tide raises all ships.” The drive for success is unnecessarily burdened by negative stereotypes that high-achievement holds.

But still, I am ambivalent towards this Competition strength because carrying the label of being “competitive” is like carrying the label of being “gifted” – when you don’t “win” it is like, an identity crisis.

Cate prompted me to think about the metrics by which I am measuring success. We specifically talked about my anxieties around publishing my LinkedIn data analysis project on a public platform. I let her know that I am not a person who is “online” and so I do not know what “success” would look like for me in that area – and that makes me nervous. She suggested looking to my peers who are more active online. Cate, who has Developer in her top strengths, also offered to look at my work, help me in any ways that she could, and suggested a university contact who I might want to reach out to about my project.

The take-away is that there are three ways in which I can intentionally support and use my strength, Competition:

1) set clear, measurable metrics for success,

2) seek and surround myself with a team of peers and mentors for unambiguous, (and constructive!) feedback, and

3) position myself in environments which support these values and needs.