What I Bring to the Table
As “Assets-Based Community Development” suggests, communities need to work together with their strengths combined in order to better themselves. Being handed things in life initiates a lack in motivation and effort, hurting communal growth; as a result, members of the community do not recognize their true skills, even though everyone has them. Each person has a role based on their strengths; whether those strengths help to execute, influence, build relationships, or think strategically, they must be identified and exploited. To be influential by building relationships and thinking strategically is the end goal, which helps me define the combined product of my strengths: working well as a group to make the best out of creative solutions.
The whole is worth more than the sum of its parts, they always say. In terms of community, the elements of the whole that account for the disparity between a group and the sum of its persons are the connections and relationships between the people of the group. Without these connections, the comfort and unity of the group do not allow for the group to function as successfully as it could. In order to make sure these relationships are made, I bring my strengths of being a relator and having positivity to any group I work in. By forming close relationships with those in the group by giving effort to learn about them, inspiring them to be close with each other, and bringing an attitude of optimism, everyone starts to feel connected. Connections lead to togetherness which leads to comfort; and within any group, comfort is a major component of what is needed for people to be themselves and employ their individual strengths.
When that comfort is reached and the strengths of a group are utilized, the potential for a group to achieve a maximized solution, which serves as the purpose and end goal of the group, is present. In order to brainstorm and develop that solution, taking all factors into consideration and finding the solutions that fit those factors appropriately is essential. This is where my strengths of being analytical and strategic come in handy. By being aware of all things under consideration, like the purpose, the constraints of the solution, and the abilities of the group, creative and usually innovative solutions come into mind. At this stage, the unity of the group really assists in making sure the team is entirely on the same page; this also allows for contributions and collaboration from all group members. Additionally, being conscientious of the effects of solutions morally, ethically, and practically leaves room to tweak the solutions to problems to make sure that they are heading in the direction of optimal potential. After all, the purpose is to create as great a solution as is possible.
In order to create a perfect solution, you have to aim for perfection. If you’re not aiming for perfection, you’re not going to obtain it accidentally; you have to go for it all in order to get it all. Even if you can’t obtain perfection, getting as close to it as you can is something to be proud of. As a member of any group, I do not ever consider not working to full potential. If that’s the case, then there’s nothing to be proud of. You have to hope for perfection just to have a chance at it. The optimism that comes along with positivity can also be the help motivate a group to get there. Whether it’s through hard work, creativity, or constant refining, there’s no such thing as maximization without reaching the peak of effort. This is the mentality that my strength of maximization forces me to incorporate into everything I do, alone or in a group. This final piece is the founding principle and finishing touch of the group. The need to have maximum functionality in order to create an optimal solution.
Just as the members of a group need to combine in order to make something happen, the strengths of each member must combine to create a system that works. All strengths can relate: positivity is the attitude that leads to the desire for maximization; maximization is my justification behind being a relator; having close relationships allows you to be analytical; detailed, thorough analysis allows a thinker to be strategic; a strategic way of thinking can be the path that one can take to get to a perfect solution. After all, the whole set of my strengths is greater than the sum of those strengths individually. The connections and relationships between them allow them to excel.