SPEAKER_00 0:02

You're listening to the Enneagram MVA podcast, a show of the understanding people at work, including yourself, usually talking about the Enneagram, sometimes talking about other resources and methods, but always bringing value and having fun along the way. I'm your host, Sarah Wallace, certified Enneagram coach, speaker, and workshop facilitator. And I cannot wait to see you inside. Welcome back to another episode here on the Enneagram MBA podcast. We are in the middle of a really fun series looking at different types of self-awareness tools and resources outside of just the Enneagram to expand our knowledge about ourselves and then also to understand how those other tools and assessments actually complement or can complement what we are learning about ourselves with the Enneagram. And so today we're going to take a focus. Um, we're going to take the focus on the Clifton Strengths. And so I am joined here by a certified Clifton Strengths instructor consultant and also a manager of organizational development and learning for a corporation in the pharmacy industry called Well Dine. And then she also has her own um business and she also speaks on women leadership confidence and personality topics. So please welcome Melissa or Missy. Okay. Missy usually Missy. Okay, Missy more to the show. Welcome. Hi. Thank you, Sarah. I'm really excited to be here. I should also add that Missy identifies as an Enneagram type three wing two. So we're going to just touch on that a little bit as well. But anything else that you would like to add to the work that you are doing, the things that you're excited that you are working on that I missed in that intro?

SPEAKER_01 1:59

No, not at all. I'm super excited to be here today. I think that the Enneagram has driven a lot of my team development coaching lately. And together with Clifton Strengths, I just feel like I'm really honored to be asked to be here and that those two tools work uh perfectly in tandem with each other as you continue your personal and workplace development.

SPEAKER_00 2:20

Yeah, and we're we're lucky because Missy is not only certified in Clifton Strengths, but also the Enneagram and then DISC. So she's very well versed in all these other assessments. So I thought she'd be great to have a conversation about this. So before we get in, because I I'm looking forward to learning more myself about Clifton Strengths. And we have actually my results pulled up from the assessment I took. I had, I don't know, seven years ago or something like that. Um, so that'll be fun to get into. But before we do, I always like to just to kind of get a sense for where um or what resonates with you most on the Enneagram with that type three energy.

SPEAKER_01 3:02

You know, it's one of those things that I had that moment with Clifton Strengths where I saw my results and I was like, that's why this totally resonates with me. This is who I am. And it was, it was this resounding self-affirmation moment that kind of helped to validate some things that previously I might have been thinking, like, maybe I'm too much here, maybe I'm a little too direct. But now I kind of see those things as just being typical of my core type and basically a manifestation of the core motivation, right? And that is to be valuable to others, um, to influence, develop others, excite others, get them excited about their life. And I think that that's played heavily into uh my career aspirations and the things that I've gotten involved in.

SPEAKER_00 3:49

Absolutely. Um, and then I know that you resonate a lot with that type to wing. What makes you feel more drawn to that energy versus the four? I love people.

SPEAKER_01 4:03

I've taught people ages three to 80. I absolutely love people. And I think that um while my wings I like to think are balanced most of the time, I think that I take most of my energy and my behaviors manifest themselves through the two because I like to serve people. I like making people happy. I kind of have a tendency in some ways, unfortunately, to avoid conflict. I don't really like getting into that, you know, nitty-gritty and talking about that much in a way that maybe an eight would. So I identify with that, but now I kind of look at the three-winged two as being a friendly version of someone who likes to achieve, someone who might be direct at times, but now I know that and I can kind of harness it into a way that can motivate other people and make them feel the energy that I'm feeling.

SPEAKER_00 4:51

Oh, I love that. Okay, so I'm gonna ask you, just because threes sometimes get dubbed as like the workaholic on the Enneagram, which we all can fall into that, right? Just kind of hustle harder, working all the time. Um, how do you, because now, you know, it sounds like you have your your day job and then you're doing some speaking, and then you also have your own business that you're getting up and going and taking clients in in your quote unquote free time. How have you like any best practices or words of wisdom that you would have to kind of help somebody else unwind what have you learned about, you know, finding the that free time, being productive, but also being a human being and not just always a human doing.

SPEAKER_01 5:44

I love how you say that a human being versus a human doing. And I think that that kind of sums up my type, right? That's quite the essential of it is the human doing. And I feel like I draw a lot of my energy from doing. But back to your question, I really feel like two tips I could give you, and that would be focusing on three main priorities to get done a day. I actually have an agenda with me here that I got off Amazon for I think under 20 bucks. And it forces me to write down what I need to get done throughout the day, but not only that, but have those three priorities listed, which I absolutely love. And I learned from my previous boss to time block. We work with Microsoft Outlook a lot. And so instead of just keeping meetings and things like appointments on my calendar, I make an effort to kind of look at the next two weeks or so, maybe a month ahead. And I try to pencil in or block off time on my calendar digitally so that I can budget the hours that I need to spend per week on a specific project to hit the deadline.

SPEAKER_00 6:42

I love that. Okay. Time blocking. I'm a huge fan of that as well. Could could use some some work in that area, but we don't feel yet. Um it's not always easy. Yeah, yeah. Um, I feel that. So, and then last question on this with the Enneagram. Um, just out of curiosity, threes tend to be excellent goal setters. Um, always have the next thing that they're working on. Would you be willing to share something you're excited about, a goal that you have that um you're excited to be working on?

SPEAKER_01 7:12

You know, I'm really excited to have gotten certified in Clifton Strengths because I'm such a huge believer in getting to know people is the first step in focusing in that leadership and managerial development training that I do a lot of in my organization. And so I love the idea of getting to really know not only the what makes people tick on an individual basis, but what that unique DNA looks like, right inside of a team and how to parlay that umce you know it through Enneagram, how to parlay it through the strengths that you have and almost focus it or how we call it in Clifton, aim that. And so what I'm excited about is opening up a world on the side where I can help people. And I really want to focus on helping transitioning teachers who want to go from um working in schools to maybe exploring other opportunities in the corporate environment. So I'm really excited to maybe um get some virtual or maybe in person cross our fingers workshops centered around getting teachers maybe prepared for what lies ahead and um understanding a career transition opportunity like one to corporate and getting my business kind of off the ground in doing that one-on-one in team development coaching as a consultant for Clifton Strengths.

SPEAKER_00 8:29

Such a great niche. Oh my gosh, such a great niche. I feel like a lot of teachers feeling that burnout, looking at other alternatives. So perfect timing and what a great, what a great way to help. Um, I do have kind of before we transition into Clifton Strengths, just while you're here, I want to maybe tap into some of this expertise that you have. So, you know, you you obviously are an expert in delivering these trainings. I was looking at your LinkedIn profile earlier and you have experience in creating curriculum, delivering that training. And I know that a lot of companies, whether it's a company of five or a company of 50, um, will bring in, you know, different people to train. They might even bring in the Enneagram or uh, you know, Strength Finder, whatever it might be, or no, sorry, Clifton Strengths. Um, but what do you see as maybe a mistake or maybe a challenge that they might run into that that they miss to get the full effectiveness and it not just be, you know, information thrown at them. Um, I'm just kind of curious. And you're not gonna be able to do that.

SPEAKER_01 9:36

Yeah, no, that's a wonderful question. And that's not the first time I've gotten that question before. And I think that it all comes down to follow-up and ensuring that one has the tangible strategies needed to implement these right away. Because as we all know, in terms of learning, uh our memory kind of depreciates over time, right? If we don't have those constant reminders of the core knowledge that we've, you know, listened to and we want to learn and commit it to long-term memory from short-term memory, we have to consistently revisit. And I think the mistake a lot of people make, particularly with um the personality type of realm that we're talking here, is that they frame it in a way of, oh, this is a cool team bonding thing. Let's, you know, one and done. And they fail to follow up and actually adopt that into their culture. Because if they did, you would see on a you know, constant basis that reinforcement and it kind of trickles over into building that company morale that you really want to see.

SPEAKER_00 10:34

Okay, so good. Yeah, and that's kind of like with anything, reading a book, um, absolutely anything that follow-up. Okay, so I want to get into Clifton Strengths, and I have called it Strength Finder. Apologies. I think it used to be called that, and now it's Clifton Strengths. Would you share for those of us who maybe that that's brand new to us, what is Clifton Strengths and then what makes it unique?

SPEAKER_01 11:01

Absolutely. So I think what makes it unique is that this is first of all, my teacher had told me that this is the only assessment of its kind that has the reliability that of the testing. It's the only one of its kind that can be taken. I think you said from age 14 until the day you pass, and the results will be similar, if not the same, within a few. And so no other research that's been done on these other assessments can claim the same amount of reliability there. So that's one big differentiator. Gallup has been uh performing research for over 50 years to make sure that these are um accurate and applicable, right? And a lot of it was centered around workplace development, personal relationship development, overall health was a part of our training as well. And I think all those facets, this is just a system that works very well with all of those. And it also cooperates really well with things like the Enneagram, I think, because there's something to be said about getting a full picture of someone, right? And so Clifton Strengths is a research-based system that essentially capitalizes on people's strengths and the good things about people, right? It bundles their talents, things that they do naturally, things that fill their bucket, and it it bunches them up into themes, right? And so these themes, these bunches are called strengths. And there's 34 of them. And so when you take the assessment, you can either take one where you get just the top five, which is going to be the strengths that are going to be present in your everyday interactions. These are the things that you tend to be good at and that fill your bucket, right? And the top 10 are going to be things very similar to that. Maybe every couple of days you use these in interactions. Your middle amount of strengths that come in from your assessment are going to be what we call floor strengths. And those are strengths that they're there, they're always on the floor, and we can pick them up, dust them off, and use them, but we don't want to do them in our everyday line of work because that might drain us, right? And so the very last ones aren't necessarily going to be weaknesses, which is an idea a lot of people have, but it's a myth. They are things that aren't going to fill that person's bucket. They're not weaknesses, they're things that aren't going to come natural as a reaction to any sort of situation. You're not going to see them using those tools, right? Those strengths in a situation because they are not comfortable with them. So they will never be or almost never be present in their daily interactions.

SPEAKER_00 13:45

I like how you I like how you describe the quote unquote weakness as just not doesn't come natural. Um I know that there's four categories that these strengths can fall into. Can we just get a quick overview of each of those four categories? Or and maybe category is not the right word, but tell me what, tell me what is that.

SPEAKER_01 14:06

Yeah, they're actually called domains. Domains, okay. They are domains in the four strategic thinking, relationship building, executing, and influencing. Okay. So when you get your results, it almost looks like a DNA helix, which I'm sure you saw with yours. And it has your top 10 and they're color-coded. So you can kind of see visually where you know the majority of your strengths lie within those domains. So we like to say you, you know, you're leading with, and in your case, you're leading with your relationship building, right? And I believe you're also leading with your strategic thinking. Okay, yes. Yeah, those are the domains as kind of how we bunch them, what family those strengths fall under. And so they fall under one of those four domains.

SPEAKER_00 14:57

Okay. Okay. Yeah. Let's okay, if we can. And just out of curiosity, if you're willing, would you share with us your top strength? Yeah, absolutely. My top strength is futuristic. Okay.

SPEAKER_01 15:11

Which I believe you and I share.

SPEAKER_00 15:12

It's your second one. It is, yeah. So, how do you see that showing up for you personally at work?

SPEAKER_01 15:21

Well, like you, I really like motivating people, right? And so I like the idea of influencing people and not to be manipulative, but to get them excited about the possibilities. And that is essentially what futuristic means is there's a talent or a string of talents related to the fact that you're able to just have a way with words to describe what the possibilities are in the future. You can see far more possibilities of what things could be. And the idea here is it's in a positive manner. You can see the different possibilities, whereas other people might have a block seeing them. And so getting people excited for seeing what could happen. Um, in terms of my own role and teaching, I want to get them excited in after you learn these. How are you going to apply them? How is this going to change your life essentially? How is this going to help your team?

unknown 16:17

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 16:17

Okay. So this is interesting. And I want to talk about this at the end a little bit more. But um I feel like the, and maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm misinterpreting the meaning. So you correct me, but the the threes and the sevens and also the eights are kind of in that category on the Enneagram where they're future focused, kind of that fast, far, idealistic, kind of the same thing, wanting to know it to motivate others. And so that's really interesting, kind of how that overlaps. Um, here the Enneagram is overlapping with the Clifton strength. So um, okay, I have developer as my first one. What does what does that mean?

SPEAKER_01 16:59

Developer means that you get energy from finding and culminating talent within people who are not yet proficient, but whom you think that you can groom to be proficient in something. And so what fills your bucket is kind of getting them excited about themselves and kind of polishing up their skills and um developing them much in the way that a mentor would. And so that didn't surprise me when I saw a few of them. I actually highlighted that on my little sticky here. I said, okay, so Sarah's a seven, and her top five are developer, futuristic, activator, positivity, and input. And then I highlighted developer, futuristic, and positivity. And I thought these are so in line, right, with her Enneagram seven, because as we know, our Enneagram seven is really good at that influential factor. Um, much like threes, we have that in common, right? We like talking to people, we're energetic, we like helping people out. Um, and I think that's where my two-wing also comes. And I can see that you get pleasure from that as well, from finding people um and talking to them and having that aha moment with them. And that's a lot of what that developer uh looks like for you.

SPEAKER_00 18:15

Yeah, it's so interesting. I I feel you so much on the um like the possibilities, uh, which is very seven, but you know, also some three energy energy. So it's like, oh my gosh, you could do so much. You could be on any podcast, you could write a book, you could, you know, do this job. So that that is that's really exciting, but it's interesting to note that, like, that's you know, not everybody gets excited about that.

SPEAKER_01 18:40

So right, right. And that's a talent that you have. And instead of um, you know, that's a great thing about Clifted and Enneagram, is now that you know that about your Enneagram core type, it's not something to, you know, self-doubt, it's something that should be celebrated. That is a strength that you have, and now you know how rare that is. And so capitalizing on that is something you owe yourself. And what's great about Clifton is that we don't focus on weakness, we only focus on strength because it's been statistically proven that it's counterproductive to focus on weakness.

SPEAKER_00 19:13

Yeah, yeah. I think Gary V has I've he's been talking a lot about that over the years, like yeah, quit focusing on quit trying to get better at your weaknesses. Exactly. Would you would you be willing to share your your top five? I know you mentioned futuristic. I'm just curious.

SPEAKER_01 19:28

Absolutely, yeah. Um, futuristic is my number one, my number two is strategic, my number three is learner, no surprise there. Okay, right. My number four is activator, and my number five is achiever, which right the achiever, Enneagram three. And so, right, that's that's another one of those things. You say workaholic, and I'm over here, like, don't let my husband he's yes, I uh I'm uh cheating on him with my work. I feel I feel that, yes.

SPEAKER_00 20:01

Uh, was there any that surprised you when you got these back? Or like you I know you had mentioned you were like, oh, that's why I do it with why I do what I do.

SPEAKER_01 20:11

None of them did surprise me. And that's kind of what I like about coaching people, is that I I ask them invariably every time, right? Did anything surprise you? The only thing that surprises people is if they misidentify what a strength really means, such as, um, for instance, you have input as your number five. I've talked to people who might think, since the stereotypical, you know, definition of input on the page is just uh collecting things, people tend to think of that in terms of you know collecting products, collecting tangibles, whatnot. And really, it can also mean different things like collecting information, archiving ideas, and that could look like different things to different people.

SPEAKER_00 20:57

I definitely so I absolutely identify with that one because like books, I'm like a collector. I just I want to know, I want to know about about everything type five energy a little bit, I guess. But um, yeah, that's that's really interesting. So would you I just out of curiosity, I think um, I want to just take a step back and go through like what does executing mean? Like if you're heavy in the executing domain, what does that mean?

SPEAKER_01 21:26

Executing has to do with getting things done.

unknown 21:29

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 21:29

It's the it's the domain that has to do with the ability to get going, accomplish goals, stay kind of methodical, on task, focus, that sort of thing. Um, so it's imperative to have on a team. It's definitely something worth looking into. And that's one of the things that we take a look at when we do team development workshops is we build a team grid, it's called, and we kind of overlay everybody's top five strengths, um, and maybe in some cases top 10, and we try to see uh where the common Lie, you know, how heavy is the team in the executing, how heavy are they in the influencing, right? Which is, you know, kind of what the three and sevens, you know, have in common, which is the ability to motivate and influence others and get them excited and energetic about a topic. And uh relationship building, of course, is going to be things that you almost you think of a two, right? When you think of your relationship building, or maybe a nine on the Enneagram when you think of your relationship building capabilities. And so you see that coming out in the warmth, in the relationship building strengths that people have. And the last one's going to be strategic thinking. And those are things like being strategic and thinking about uh pathways. So the idea behind um strategic is kind of understanding like context is one of them. So the past and what the whole situation is. Uh, we talked about input, input's one of them, which is the uh collecting and archiving of things or ideas with maybe not the intention of using them immediately, but the idea that they could be helpful in any situation later. It's like being a collector and an archiver, right? And fives have that a lot too. Uh, you actually find a lot of the strategic and analytical in Enneagram fives, which is interesting because those traits are reciprocal, right?

SPEAKER_00 23:23

Absolutely. I'm looking at mine, it's like, wow, I'm as far as like getting things done, I have zero of my top, no top five in the executing. Don't you go focusing on the negative? Okay, I know. Like, so what does that mean? Like, is that something to be concerned about?

SPEAKER_01 23:41

Or no, and that's actually part of the coaching process that we're taught is to, you know, a lot of people go to, okay, what's my bottom one? What's my you know, bottom 10, or I'm I'm missing a lot here. You know, um, there's there's even people who are in leadership positions who think having empathy is a bad thing to have it at the top. And and people have all these preconceived notions of, you know, the way things are structured in our society and you know, stereotypes and of that nature, but we're taught to just kind of have people discover about themselves and affirm times where they used their strengths to do the thing that they're worried about not having in that domain. So if you're worried about not having uh what did you say, executing? Yeah. Then you take a look at your top five or your top 10, and you you ask yourself, so how do I use these top five or how do I use these top 10 to get things done? Because that's what it boils down to, right? That executing is your ability to get things done, and you're very successful. And so obviously you've put um executing in some capacity, right? It's subjective because it's you, it's uniquely you, but it's not something to be ashamed of. It's something to say, okay, so maybe I do it in a different way. Maybe I do it in my own, you know, seven brand, right? My own Sarah way of doing it. And so ask yourself how mainly you use those top five strengths to get things done, to um follow through with people, to communicate, to uh accomplish your tasks, accomplish your goals every day and long term.

SPEAKER_00 25:18

Okay, okay. Yeah, that's funny. Immediately I was like, gosh, I don't have any. I don't have any of my top five in there. What are we gonna do? It's okay. That's totally normal. So I want to ask, I I know that you do one-on-one coaching, and then I know that you also use this, as you mentioned, in team environments. Um, I would love to know, like from at an individual level, what type of insight or how could somebody use these results in their career? Whether it's, I don't know, finding the right job or maybe, you know, leaving a job because it doesn't align, or how do you see your clients mostly using this on an individual level?

SPEAKER_01 25:59

So advice I'd give people who are maybe considering a career change, for example, would be take a look at your top five. Think to yourself how they're being met. How are they being met in the workplace? Are you meeting your top five? Because if you're not, when you ask yourself those self-reflective questions, you're gonna realize which ones you're actually using every day and which ones you might not be using. And it's funny because when you get to thinking about it, those things tend to pop up in your personal life, right? Um, so for instance, I was talking to someone who um thought that he didn't have influencing and he was in sales and that might be concerning. And you know, similar to your situation, it's like, okay, well, what do what do you do? You know what I mean, to focus on it. And um, I think that really kind of taking ownership of it, adding it into your LinkedIn profile when people, you know, are talking about uh what can you bring to the table? I think maybe sometimes in cover letters I've seen people explain each of their five and how that shows up for them in their job. What a great idea. If your bucket isn't being filled at work, you take a look and you see how it pops up now with that person I was telling you about restorative was on his top five and it wasn't being met at work. He no longer had the opportunity to do that um problem solving that that's what restorative means in Clifton Strengths. And so it was popping up in the ability to play, you know, strategic games outside of work. So in your personal life, it's like you subconsciously want to have those, and your body kind of seeks those experiences. And if you're not getting them in the workplace, you might need to either look for opportunity, you know, ask your upline for opportunity, seek it yourself to be a self-starter, maybe work on um anything that you want to focus on and see where your bucket isn't being filled. And if it's not, then maybe considering um a new career path that might fill those buckets for you, or at least ways that you can do something as a hobby to kind of get that satisfied and scratch your itch.

SPEAKER_00 28:10

Yeah, I it sounds like what you're saying is that these strengths are kind of that whole like zone of genius idea. And then also I've heard of this idea called like the zone of joy, where it's like you're good at it and you love it. I I didn't really think about it like, oh my gosh, this is like kind of a need in addition to a strength. Um, so like actively seeking those opportunities out. I also can see this being really helpful with um, because we have a it's a it's a kind of a mixed bag. We have um, you know, people navigating a career um looking for satisfaction and success. And then we also have um entrepreneurs looking to build offers and different marketing strategies and just understanding, you know, your strengths can also, I can see like being really eye-opening and how you stand out and what you might think is like a really crowded marketplace. It's like, well, I'm a health coach, but look at these five unique strengths that I'm bringing.

SPEAKER_01 29:13

It's absolutely important in differentiating yourself because even the statistics tell you that the chances of you having the same top five in the exact same order is one in 33 million. And that alone should tell you how unique your own personal DNA of strengths is. And if you combine that with seeing the full picture of yourself through the Enneagram lens as well, you not only understand your core motivations and then through your wing, right, how that behavior manifests, but you can parlay those into okay, what do I want in life? Right? What's gonna make me happy? Okay, so now you have the tools, and that's what Clifton is is okay, let's put those tools in your toolbox and let's make it intentional. Let's really put those to use. How can we work those in and you know maneuver them in our own MacGyver way to get to the end game?

SPEAKER_00 30:07

Yeah, so good. How do you see? And we've touched about on this just a little bit, but anything else you want to add? I would I would love to hear. Um, it is so interesting that you work with both the Enneagram professionally and this. And then I know also Disc. Um, how do you work? I guess, like how in your coaching or in your team workshops, are you bringing both of them together or like how does that dynamic work? Because that would be just so much great insight, kind of just more well-rounded. But I'm just curious how they overlap or how you use both of them together.

SPEAKER_01 30:48

Absolutely. It's interesting because um typically people will approach training asking for solutions for team development, sometimes um team rapport. And really, it comes down to talking to them to see what the core need is. And if they don't know their team members, right, um, then finding out their Enneagram type is usually how I would start. And I do a 90-minute Enneagram for team efficiency and improved communication. So I do a session with them and I have them uh complete their assessment prior to coming in, but they don't know anything about it other than what you know the results typically say. But then once they come in, I kind of break down each type and talk about how they uh their buckets are drained at work and how their buckets are filled at work and what you can do to support them. And then we have a conversation about how each type uh deals with conflict, how each type manifests its communication strategies. And then I think the best part of these is that, you know, here's that aha moment, right? That aha moment of just finding out, like, wow, I really did notice that so-and-so during that meeting does these things. Or, you know, I really thought when they sent that really straightforward email that that was hurtful, but no, no, they're just an eight, or they're just a this. I heard so many people say things like that. And it was like having that aha moment of wow, like really getting to know people makes the idea a little bit more, I don't know, it solidifies the idea for you that there are unique perspectives because it's easy just to say to someone, well, not everybody thinks like you. Well, okay, give me an example, right? Enneagram provides that framework for you. So getting to know each other on that that basic level and then having that dialogue for me is really where you get some of those great aha moments and that self-awareness. And then then we kind of turn it into uh validating each other's you know, uh confirm like confirming their strengths in a Clifton strength setting after we go through Enneagram. So we go through kind of an Enneagram first to get to know each other, and then um as we need to kind of move forward in that team development and grow to a different stage and work together and trust each other, we now get specific about how each of us bring those top five strengths to the table. We talk in terms of team grids. I meet with managers first to talk about how their strengths manifest and how they've uh come to present themselves when they deal with their team members and how they manage their teams. And I think that working Enneagram into there helps them to cater their management style, much in the same way that Clifton does. With Clifton, we can aim it by helping the managers to realize what they're good at and ignore, like we said before, the domains that they're not strong at and then ask the right questions. Okay, so if you're leading with developer, how can you use developer in the next three months, right? In the next 30, 60, 90 days, and use those SMART goal strategies and aim it towards something tangible. And so, you know, Enneagram, I feel like is a good basis that I recommend for getting to know teams. And then Clifton helps um kick off kind of that we're getting to know each other more so, and we're validating each other's contributions, right, in a specific setting and giving them the context of that. And that in turn starts to develop that confidence in the other teammates and also that vulnerability that I see them get during the Enneagram sessions as well, when they laugh and they see, yeah, that's my tendency. You're right, you're right. I don't add emojis to emails, that just isn't me. So you see those types of things and having a good laugh and building that rapport is all part of the recipe in team development. So it all comes together. But I really do think that there's something to be said about using both in tandem.

SPEAKER_00 35:05

Yeah. So any so obviously we have a lot of Enneagram enthusiasts listening to this podcast that might be ready for Clifton Strengths assessment. Where is a good place to start, or how do we get started with that process?

SPEAKER_01 35:20

So you would just go to the Gallup website, and that is going to be Gallup.com. And when you're in Gallup.com, you can either redeem a code if you buy a book online at Amazon or some other place. I've done it that way a couple of years ago, and you would just get a hardcovers uh copy of the book, and then in the back, you rip out a code, you go on here, you enter the code, or you can go to the store and it's under shop at the gallop.com website. And then you can either buy your top five strengths a and it's the same assessment if you want to reveal all 34 in order. Okay. So you can either get it's the same exact assessment, but you can either get the results of your top five or all 34 in order. But if you get all 34 in order, you get an individualized that's unique to you, and they've only been doing this for the past couple of years, explanation of your top five and how they specifically come together for you. And that's based on research. So I think that that's just such a pearl. I mean, for me and for the people that I've coached.

SPEAKER_00 36:34

Yeah. And then where do you come in to the process?

SPEAKER_01 36:39

And so I actually give out these access codes. If someone wants to go through me, I have a discount where I can get some money off either assessment for you. And then when you take it, you get the results. I get the results, and then you set up at your leisure a time to have a discovery call, I call it, with me for an hour where we kind of decode and talk through your strengths and we set up a plan for you. And so you can either have the one session or you can set up um a different cadence of sessions with me. Uh, three, six are common, and we can go through on a one-on-one basis and focus on the goals that you have short and long term. And I work with you to capitalize on those strengths and to make them produce results for you.

SPEAKER_00 37:32

Yeah, I think anytime if you have the opportunity and the and the resources to be able to, just having a guide kind of help you interpret those results can be so helpful. Um, whether it's the Enneagram, Clifton Strengths, you know. Um, so that that I love that you do that and like so helpful and just kind of getting a personalized take on those results and and and then also how to actually use them. So information and application. Um, I have one kind of left field question before we get into um some rapid fire questions here at the end. And I want to know how we can learn more about you and connect with you on social media. But I know also you had mentioned that you do some speaking for or on different women's topics. And um, one of those um challenges, I guess, for for women is that idea around confidence. So you had kind of mentioned confidence and how this can help. What other topics or or how do you kind of help women with specific um issues, challenges that we face using some of your expertise and experience in these tools? Sure.

SPEAKER_01 38:49

I think that with women, a lot of the times we're afraid to speak up. I know that's not for every woman, but I know speaking from my own experience and a lot of people that I know, finding my voice and and kind of owning that has been essential in becoming assertive and putting my ideas out into the world. And so for me, a key tool in doing those things was the Enneagram and Clipton's strengths. And I think that more women need to get involved in things like this and really get to know themselves because that to me is the piece that's missing. A major component of emotional intelligence, which to answer your question is a lot of what I offer is just um differential training in emotional intelligence, um, presentation training and things of the like. I think that getting to know yourself is just the basic tenant of getting to recognize those feelings and manage those feelings in other people, in your teams, you know, within your relationships at home and otherwise. So self-awareness is really the first step. And so I think that um meeting women where they are and not expecting people to be like other people because we are all unique. And I know that sounds like it's off the back of a Hallmark card, but we are all unique. And I think that when women realize their special brand of uniqueness and make that something that we can work with and use it, then we all of a sudden get this confidence that seemingly comes out of nowhere, but it empowers us and it's that self-affirmation, it's having confidence, but I really do think that it is on more of an individual basis because you need to get to know yourself and then you know, share and apply your strengths to goals that you have with a team, if that need be the case. But I really derive a lot of pleasure from this emotional intelligence type of talks with people and weaving that into things like presentation skills, being professional, you know, strategic thinking types of courses and uh customer service courses, soft skills and business. Um, I teach a business etiquette and uh business writing virtual etiquette. And we talk about differing personality types and outlooks and things of that nature. And uh I've also created DEI trainings and have worked in and with um and been in some seminars recently with some wonderful speakers having to do with inclusion in the workplace and what we're doing now to make sure everybody has a voice, but making sure that that voice is attributed to the person who said it and uh being intentional about everyone's strengths, being aware of everyone on your team's strengths, because we don't want to be islands, right? And so getting to know ourselves and then getting to know ourselves in the context of the teams that we work on.

SPEAKER_00 42:11

I love it. That thank you for sharing that. Sure. Um, yeah, so many good applications and uses for you know self-awareness and these tools from communication, writing emails to um yeah, to to understanding our customers better. I absolutely love that. Not everybody has the same buying style. Right. So for anybody who is looking to learn more from you and or to work with you, where can we connect with you?

SPEAKER_01 42:41

Sure. So you can connect with me on my LinkedIn. My name on there is Melissa M-E-L-I-S-S-A, Damon. That's my maiden name, D-A-M-O-N, and my last name Moore M-O-O-R-E. And I can also be reached at my coaching and consultant website, which is I am missymoore.com. And I also do some fashion blogging on the side. So you can find me on Instagram, uh, where I share positivity and fashion and real life and things of that nature on at pop of style on Instagram. So I love talking to new people. Feel free to get in touch with me. It's been a pleasure talking to you today, Sarah. So thank you.

SPEAKER_00 43:26

Yes. Well, thank you for all that you shared. I have just three more rapid fire questions before we call this um an episode complete. The first one is what is a either personal growth, professional, career um development book that you would recommend that's made an impact on your own life? Oh man, so many.

SPEAKER_01 43:48

That's like asking. I know you don't want me to be like, look at this. Who's your favorite kid again? I just I absolutely love uh Any and all sorts of books. The Eni Agriam book, uh, what is that called? I have it right over here. Of course I do, right? One of the books that I teach is The Ride of a Lifetime by Robert Iger, the previous CEO of Disney. And I absolutely love having conversations around different management styles there. That is perfect. Um, I love, love, love Brene Brown. So I would say The Gifts of Imperfection, absolutely.

SPEAKER_00 44:28

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 44:28

Um, and of course, I have the Enneagram book, The The Road Back to You. Okay. And I even have um The Achiever Type 3 by Elizabeth Bennett. Yeah. And so I I love those. Those are just a few of the ones that I absolutely love to read and to do book read and learns with, which is like a uh corporate business book discussion, and then we apply it to their work.

SPEAKER_00 44:54

Oh, I love that. I know. I mean, people love a good book recommendation, a good like personal development book, and then to be able to talk about it. So that's so funny. Give me a good checklist, right? And I'll check them off. Yes. Um, what is a tool or resource app, website, whatever it might be, um, that helps you be productive, efficient, um, either you know, in your nine to five, as you're starting your own business, just life in general. Oh, OneNote, my friend.

SPEAKER_01 45:24

I'm a OneNote flag waver. You know, and I can't say that I don't enjoy my good old uh pen and paper because I also have that agenda I was telling you about earlier where I write down my priorities, but I like to have them in front of me on OneNote as well. I'm big into having those sections and I import those meeting notes and I use those tools where you can tag things for to-do and remember later. And I just want to know more and more. I'm addicted to it. I I think that that's my input talking.

SPEAKER_00 46:03

Okay, so one note. And then um, this will be interesting um to hear from you on this as success being something that is uh so many of us, right, want to be successful, but especially with that type three energy. How do you define success? What does that look like in your own life as you know what that means, asking a three? What a success.

SPEAKER_01 46:26

Yeah, like you know, you're backing me into a corner here, girl. No. Uh, what does success look like? I mean, having a plan for how you can be valuable and reaching your potential for as you see it. I think that laying out short and long-term plans that can gratify you now and later, something that you can work for gives you a sense of purpose. And so defining those goals make it more realistic.

SPEAKER_00 46:56

So good. Okay. And then last and final question, we have talked about a lot personality, Clifton Strengths, Enneagram. Um, is there anything that you would like to share with listeners that I haven't asked you in order to make this episode feel complete?

SPEAKER_01 47:12

Feel complete. Go out and take the Clifton Strengths assessment. I'm telling you that these will be it's a goal mine of information and insights. And once you can, you know, identify with them, you can aim them. And whether or not you talk to a Gallup certified coach, I think that there is definitely value in knowing that. And if you like the Enneagram, I believe that you're really going to appreciate how compliment the Clifton system is.

SPEAKER_00 47:46

Absolutely. Well, Missy, thank you so much for being here for all that you shared.

SPEAKER_01 47:50

Thank you.

SPEAKER_00 47:51

Um, listeners, absolutely get connected with her, let her know what you're taking away. You'll have to let her know your strengths if you end up taking away. Yes, please connect. Yeah. I know that she would love to hear that. So thank you so much. And uh, I'll absolutely be seeing you all seeing you around probably on LinkedIn.

SPEAKER_01 48:07

Wonderful. Thank you, Sarah. It was a pleasure being here.