The three Strengths exercises (energize/drain journal and paper, StrengthsFinder online quiz, and the Strengthsfinder Worskhop with Professor Busch) that I completed for BUAD 620 and the results of the Birkman test that I completed for MGMT 614 provided excellent insights into my personality. I discovered key linkages repeatedly revealing themselves in the results from these activities, and I found many overlapping elements that helped me understand my core strengths. This knowledge provided guidelines that I have added to my approach to meeting my professional and personal goals.
THE TEACH-INTELLECTION-DEVELOPER LINKAGE
Teaching was one of the energizing activities I derived from my energize/drain journal, and this links with the intellection and developer themes revealed in my top five strengths. As evidenced by my intellection strength, my appreciation for intellectual conversations explains my interest in the cerebral discussions that often occur when I teach others. Also, the developer theme explains my interest in seeing people grow as a result of my teaching efforts. Finally, my Birkman results identified a strong link to the literary area of interest which describes my fondness for abstract ideas and creative communication.
This linkage also explains why I feel drained when I lack knowledge about a subject. If I do not have a sufficient level of knowledge about something, then I am unable to teach others and help them grow. Therefore, ignorance prevents me from operating in my themes of intellection and developer. As a result of this insight, I was further convinced that I need to find a career path that allows me to educate others and invest in their growth and development.
THE TECHNOLOGY-INTELLECTION-CONNECTEDNESS LINKAGE
Using technology was another energizing activity I identified from the contents of my energize/drain journal. This also links with my intellection strength, but it also links with one of my other top five strengths: connectedness. One primary reason I am drawn to technology is the way it lowers the barriers between people. For example, with a cheap webcam and an affordable internet connection, two people can communicate and see each other despite being separated by vast geographic distances. Also, online social networks like Facebook allow individuals to reconnect with long lost childhood friends or become friends with those they would have otherwise never met. Technology is helping people understand that we are all connected, and our ability to participate in shared human experiences can be very enriching and powerful. This technology enabled connectivity is one reason I am so fascinated by the many ways technology changes the way people live and interact. Furthermore, my Birkman results showed a strong link to the scientific area of interest which reinforces my desire to work in the technology industry.
My tendency to become drained by new experiences may also be explained by this linkage. When I do something for the first time, I initially lack the ability to connect it with similar experiences that would provide me with insight into how to best perform the task. This disconnects me from a comfortable frame of reference, and I lose motivation and interest in the task. In the business world, when presented with a new idea or activity, I will have to seek connections between it and a similar experience. If I am unable to do so, then I will need to find colleagues who can help me see these connections.
THE FAMILY-BELIEF-CONTEXT LINKAGE
Spending time with my family was another energizing activity highlighted by my energize/drain journal, and this links with the belief and context themes shown in my top five strengths. Taking an active role in the success of my family is one of my core values. No matter how impressive the accolades I may gain in other areas of my life, they would all become meaningless if I fail as a son, husband, and father. Also, my deep interest in understanding my family tree and the lessons of my ancestors is explained by the context theme. I believe that I can better understand my present circumstances by learning about my family history. It will be important for any company that desires my employment to respect my desire to balance my work responsibilities with the needs of my family.
My belief strength may also explain why I become drained by details. Having a strong set of core values helps me when I have to make obvious moral choices. However, my values do not always provide clear choices when I have to deal with the subtle nuances of morally ambiguous decisions. As a business professional, I will have to make sure I have multiple viewpoints to help me see a decision from multiple viewpoints. It will be important for me to work on diverse teams and respect and encourage the expression of perspectives even when they are contrary to my own.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
When I began the Texas A&M MBA program, I expected a rigorous education in the core business topics of accounting, finance, operations, strategy, and management. The program has provided such an education, but I was pleasantly surprised by the opportunities to take an introspective view of who I am as a person. The three Strengths exercises and the Birkman test provided the opportunity for me to become better acquainted with myself.
I have grown in many ways over the past nine months. Some of the growth was due to the confirmation of the skills I knew were strong before I entered the program. These included information technology expertise, strong written and verbal communication ability, and effective leadership strength. It was comforting to know that these skills transferred from the professional world to the academic world in an intact state.
I also grew by being surprised by the areas in which I was weak. Despite my strong technical background and an overall strong mathematical aptitude, I have struggled in my accounting and finance courses. While I once thought I could adequately function as an accountant or financial analysis, I know realize that those would be very poor career choices!
I have also grown to love the culture and history of Texas A&M. Having gained my undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin, I was apprehensive about my ability to fully integrate into life as an Aggie. However, the awesome traditions of Texas A&M, the genuine friendliness behind the signature “howdy” greeting, and the excellence of the faculty have converted me into a lifelong lover of this great campus.

Hello, my name is Anjuan Simmons. Welcome to my blog. This is where I share my thoughts about various topics, but it mostly covers technology and political issues.