Blonde MBADocumenting the life of a blonde MBA student in sunny California. Maybe some blondes DO have brains!

A couple of days ago, I mentioned the personality test I had to take by Gallup’s Strengths Quest. Usually the tests put you as simply introvert or extrovert (i.e. thanks for nothing, what do I do with that?), but this one shoots out your top 5 personality themes and gives you action items both as a student and a professional to best use your characteristics to your advantage.

Much as a horoscope that tells you what other signs you are best aligned with, this tells you what other “personalities” work best with you, especially for the multitude of team projects inherent in the MBA program. Plus, only 1 in 33 million should have your same 5 top personality themes, so I guess you are unique in this one!

Here’s a sampling of who I am, according to the Gallup Strengths Quest personality test: 

1. Futuristic - I’m enthusiastic about the future and what I could be, in addition to inspiring others towards their own vision. I accomplish more when I set goals for myself and like to question/challenge the status quo. By applying my logical MBA skills to these visions of the future, I can set the groundwork for accomplishing these goals. 
2. Input - I have a craving to know more, and like to hold onto items and information in case I might need them later on and like to know everything that is going on. While I should be good at jobs that include aquiring new information, I need to find ways to leverage this information into viable actions.
3. Individualization - I am able to see the unique qualities of individuals, and sense their moods or feelings to know how best to respond or listen to them. I can use this talent to build and encourage effective teams where each individual can do what they do best.
4. Responsibility - I take ownership of what I say I will do and value honesty and loyalty, no matter how painstaking it may be. I should align myself with others characterized by responsibility, as I know they will share this commitment to get things done. I should, however, be selective in what duties I take on, and perhaps partner with someone with more discipline to help keep me narrow my focus.
5. Includer - Pretty obvious, but I like to include and accept others into the group so no one is left out. This goes along with the individualization characteristic, I think, as I would be more able to bring together a diverse group of people. 

I think these traits describe me fairly well, but don’t necessarily agree with every part of each of them…as I team up with my classmates, maybe I’ll have more insight as to how these traits (34 of them altogether) come into play.

In the meantime, what personality tests have you taken? Do you find them to be helpful/useful, or simply a way to put you into a set box with other personalities?

In watching the Beijing Olympic games these last few days, most individuals are there in pursuit of their own medal, but also have to work with the rest of the team within their sport for preliminaries, relays, and overall country dominance in the games. Most often there is a leader, someone who has most likely been through the games before and has some senior experience or word of advice, but in the case of the men’s USA gymnastics team, there were many rookies and just as many leaders. As they showed the team in a huddle, each proclaiming their own words of motivation, I wondered who could actually listen as they all seemed to be talking at once?

I’ve often been party to this in the boardroom, when there are too many ‘cooks in the kitchen,’ all trying to lead and effectively not accomplishing anything. In pursuing a MBA in a competitive program, you must assume that everyone is as accomplished, ambitious, competitive, and smart as you, and is working to hone their leadership skills…why else would they be there? I’m about to take a personality test as required for my first day of orientation and I wonder what I will find out about myself, my strengths and weaknesses? I’m obviously there to work on my leadership skills, but there must be a balance between leading and listening to others on your team.

I’ll let you know my personality test results when I’m done and I’m sure my observations on the team environment in the MBA program. In the meantime, check out the blog of Steve Churm, President of Churm Media here in Orange County, on ocmetrobusiness.com…he’s at the Beijing Olympic games right now and blogging about the awesome experience!

Enjoy! ~ Blonde MBA leader
(P.S. below are some pics of my first trip to Beijing, about 9 years ago…the Beijing Olympic games are bringing back some of the memories, but not the skinny high school body *sigh*!)

Great Wall of China, circa 1999

Temple of Heaven, Beijing