“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
– Carl Rogers
The past year has been a journey of personal growth as I transitioned from being a student to full-time employment in a consulting firm. I have always been curious about why we behave the way we do and the different lenses we use to experience our realities. In the last year, Hogan has enriched my understanding of human behaviour and offered a powerful lens for my own self-discovery and growth.
Early on, as a newcomer to my professional journey, one of the prominent challenges I faced was missing out on details and follow-through. One such instance was when I was managing a project and failed to follow through on critical logistical details. It led to an embarrassing situation where my manager had to step in and “save the day”. As I reflected, I landed on my low Prudence score. While I am able to flex and adapt well to change, I realized that I will need to dial-up my attention to detail going forward, and become more vigilant and self-monitoring.
In addition, an internal conversation led me to another realization. I am high Inquisitive – classic example of the known reverse correlation between Prudence and Inquisitive. My Inquisitive supports me in consulting and I’m able to bring new perspectives and offer novel solutions. However, there is also the risk of boredom with routine or mundane things and distractibility. I wondered whether this had played out, because my conscientiousness was never in doubt with my manager or peers.
Self-acceptance and awareness is akin to getting a map and coordinates, providing clarity on where you stand and the direction you wish to pursue. Intentionality has become my compass, allowing me to focus on the bigger picture while continuing to keep my attention on the details. Writing down details from conversations , building task lists for follow through, taking time to gather details and preparing for meetings are a few other behaviours I have adopted. They seem to be helping me be more effective and efficient.
I also reflected on strengths to leverage. Consulting can be demanding, at times chaotic, and we are always juggling multiple priorities that keep shifting. I leaned on my high Adjustment score to stay balanced and grounded. It also enabled me to slow down, take a step back and give myself space to think before reacting in stressful situations.
Another insight that was revealed to me recently was the potential pitfalls of my high Reserved. Coupled with a low Sociability score, my Reserved may create a communication hurdle. As I moved to fully-remote work, I’ve become acutely aware of the need for proactive and consistent communication with my colleagues. Acknowledging this as a potential challenge, I’ve made it my personal goal to be more communicative, especially in stressful situations. I understand my team is prepared to offer support when needed and there is power in communication to generate valuable information.
Over a year into this transformative journey, the lens of Hogan has been instrumental in self-discovery and intentional growth. It has led to a deeper understanding of my natural tendencies and exposed my blind spots, while empowering me to embrace aspects of myself without judgment. As I continue to navigate this path, I do so with a sense of purpose and excitement, and with a commitment to continuously evolve into the most authentic version of myself.
