A brief description of my top five strengths as identified by the Strengthsfinder 2.0 accessment on March 1, 2008.  More information can be found in Strengthsfinder 2.0 by Tom Rath and at http://www.strengthsfinder.com.

Responsibility
People who are especially talented in the Responsibility theme take psychological ownership of what they say they will do. They are committed to stable values such as honesty and loyalty.

Chances are good that you are naturally open and honest about who you are, what you have done, what you can do, and what you cannot do. Your straightforward explanations and stories help listeners see you as you see yourself. You reveal your strengths and limitations. You are forthright and plainspoken. People generally seek your company and want to work with you. Many are impelled to move into action by your words and examples. Instinctively, you might know what is and is not morally good. In certain situations, you can determine what is and is not quality work. When you consistently use reliable systems, you may be able to distinguish right from wrong or excellence from mediocrity. Perhaps having a uniform set of criteria or a detailed evaluation process helps you determine the worth of your own words and deeds. Because of your strengths, you are hardwired to do exactly what you said you would do. Your word is your bond. You are likely to earn the respect of many people. You even win over those who have a hard time trusting anyone. Why? You rarely disappoint them. Driven by your talents, you possess an inner drive to attain your high standards of excellence. Satisfying work and a passion for accountability fuel your zeal to do things very carefully. You want others to view you and your work favorably. By nature, you are impelled to deliver on all of your commitments. You are determined to meet all of your obligations. Doing so is your badge of honor. It is one reason why people describe you as trustworthy and dependable.

Strategic
People who are especially talented in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.

Chances are good that you select the right combination of words to convey your ideas or feelings. In the middle of discussions, your vocabulary provides you with precise phrases and terminology. You probably express yourself with ease and grace. It’s very likely that you may be a self-reliant person who needs time alone to think or work. You periodically generate innovative ideas and propose systematic programs of action. Perhaps you can identify certain recurring configurations in the behavior of people, the functioning of processes, or the emergence of potential problems. Because of your strengths, you notice that the right word usually pops into your mind exactly when you need it. Your comfort with language makes the oral or written expression of your ideas or feelings appear almost effortless. Others benefit from your ability to transmit information, thoughts, or emotions by using a vocabulary they can easily understand. Driven by your talents, you normally find just the right words at the right moment to express whatever you are thinking and feeling. Many people are likely to appreciate your fine speaking abilities. You can present your ideas in a reasonable, sequential, and methodical way. Moreover, you generate lots of options for others to consider. By nature, you occasionally opt to work by yourself. Perhaps you trust your talents, knowledge, and skills in identifying problems. You might consider numerous solutions before you pinpoint an appropriate course of action. Sometimes questions and answers materialize without much effort on your part.

Learner
People who are especially talented in the Learner theme have a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve. In particular, the process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites them.

Instinctively, you may be an individual performer. Perhaps you welcome opportunities to acquire knowledge or ponder ideas on your own. To some extent, you seek and find solitary places where you can think without being distracted by people and noise. Driven by your talents, you are a rational thinker. That is, you exhibit good judgment and exercise sound reasoning. These thought processes serve you well whenever you set out to acquire true knowledge and/or gain a skill. You school yourself by reading, investigating, examining, experiencing, or receiving instruction in a subject. Because of your strengths, you can block out distractions when you are working or studying. You are seldom pulled away from a task. You probably desire to understand ahead of time what needs to be done. You also expect to receive background briefings and/or a list of a project's criteria. Armed with this information, you move closer to your goal. With ease and certitude -- that is, having no doubts -- you determine what is and is not important to know about an activity, event, or project. Chances are good that you may ignore distractions to concentrate on your assignments. Sometimes you keep reading, researching, experimenting, or writing until you know all you need to know about a particular subject. You might not rest until you have mastered certain concepts, committed important information to memory, or completed specific course requirements. By nature, you sometimes enroll in difficult or demanding classes. You might aim to expand your knowledge or challenge your thinking about certain things.

Futuristic
People who are especially talented in the Futuristic theme are inspired by the future and what could be. They inspire others with their visions of the future.

By nature, you might prefer mapping paths toward specific long-term goals. You occasionally create orderly or detailed tactics to secure particular objectives. Once in a while, you are energized by what you can accomplish. Driven by your talents, you occasionally envision what you might do better in the coming weeks, months, years, or decades. You might see in vivid detail specific things you could enhance, perfect, or upgrade. You sometimes evaluate what needs to be changed in your environment, yourself, another person, a system, or a project. Because of your strengths, you sometimes like being an individual performer. Why? Maybe working alone permits you to concentrate your energy on what you want to accomplish in the coming months, years, or decades. Chances are good that you are eager to get started on a project once you realize what you can accomplish in the coming weeks, months, or years. You work very hard to breathe life into your big dreams. These often push and pull you into the future. It’s very likely that you periodically devote your energy, intellect, or time to making improvements in yourself or in what you do. Perhaps you concentrate on your shortcomings. Maybe you feel this approach increases your chances of reaching certain goals in the future.

Belief
People who are especially talented in the Belief theme have certain core values that are unchanging. Out of these values emerges a defined purpose for their life.

Chances are good that you have no doubts about being linked in some way with everything in the universe. This includes all creation and all humankind. It’s very likely that you refuse to live a meaningless existence. You seek a vocation that allows you to express your deepest values every day. Work or school provides you with the opportunity to enrich and deepen the quality of your life. You really want to do what you love doing. Your job or studies need to be much more than a means to an end -- that is, a paycheck or a diploma. Driven by your talents, you may be zealous -- that is, fervent and enthusiastic -- about solving problems that affect the quality of your life. Once in a while, you devote all your time and energy to a specific cause. Perhaps your core values explain why you participate in certain social, political, educational, religious, legal, or environmental activities. Because of your strengths, you might seek to create a happier and more hospitable environment by reminding people about their accomplishments. Perhaps one of your missions in life is to build up the self-confidence of others. By nature, you sometimes need to inform others about the pitfalls and obstacles you see so clearly. You may or may not know what to do about the problem. Nonetheless, you might be aware of its existence when others are not.