Curriculum Vitae - Natural Talents
Value Differentiators - In Order of Natural Talent Prominence
I present to you the ordered theme sequence of my top-20 natural talents identified by working with Jeff Snyder, Executive Coaching, using the GALLUP Clifton StrengthFinder 2.0 test. Here is a brief overview of each talent as it relates to what I bring to my clients. These talents map well into several leadership themes:
I possess a very analytical mind, examining the details underpinning an idea, which helps to give me reasons and causes, as well as, finely tuned insight that others might not grasp. I have the natural and acquired subject matter expertise to think about all the factors that might affect a given situation. I provide valuable insight because through my analysis, I uncover the essential facts needed for excellence and proper decision-making. I have a clear understanding about what excellence is, how it can be attained, and how it is to be applied.
Achiever (2):
I possess a mental and physical capacity to concentrate on various tasks from start to finish. I create orderly systems for managing my time, work, or resources, and strive to complete tasks prior to their deadlines; as a result, I usually have ample time to think through ideas, decisions, or plans. I take great satisfaction from being busy and productive; I love to complete complex tasks and derive fulfillment from my many accomplishments. I am a self-starter, industrious, and possess a strong inner drive – an innate source of intensity, energy, and power that enables me to push hard to get things done. My actions set the pace and define productivity level for those around me.
Strategic (3):
I think strategically, generate innovative ideas, visionary, and always create alternative ways to proceed. I easily spot relevant patterns and issues. When working with groups and projects, I bring creative anticipation, imagination, and persistence to the team. I often see opportunities, trends, and solutions before others see them. I take into consideration prevailing circumstances, available resources, budgetary constraints, or pressing deadlines. I am someone who is able to quickly weigh alternative paths and determine the one that will work best and most efficiently, the best route to move forward with.
Learner (4):
I have a great desire to learn and want to continuously measure and improve things. Even the process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites me. When something has to be completed, I am eager to acquire the necessary knowledge or skills to meet the challenge. I intuitively know how to obtain that knowledge and learn the material. I am a quick study, and my ability to deeply focus helps to keep a group, team, and organization on the cutting edge. I don’t just research a subject, my analytical mind seeks to examine the details underpinning an idea, which helps to give me reasons and causes, effects, as well as, finely tuned insight on subject material others might not grasp – I become a master the subject.
Focus (5):
I am a person who can take a particular chosen direction, follow through, and make the corrections necessary to stay on track. I am a person who sets goals and objectives. I always prioritize them and then act. While others may start to wander down divergent avenues, I stay the course and help to avoid time-consuming distractions and keep everyone on point. Driven by my ability to focus, I pinpoint what needs to be accomplished in order to reach a desired outcome. I give it my undivided attention. Few people can match my natural powers of concentration.
Responsibility (6):
I am the type of person that has no problem stepping up to the plate; when I commit to something, it is done with a deep sense of dedication and psychological ownership. I am absolutely a person of my word, period. My actions will always speak louder than my words; it is through my actions that I earn people’s trust, by always demonstrating impeccable ethics and core values we should all expect: honesty, integrity, and loyalty. If I commit to something, I’ll own it from beginning to end. I have built a reputation that people can utterly depend on.
Relator (7):
I am very good at meeting people for the first time, including cold calls, and I am able to relate with them at some level to establish an initial rapport. Over time, I am the type of person who forms solid, genuine, and mutually rewarding relationships that are close, caring, and trusting. I am not afraid to stand and speak, or sing, in front of any size audience; in fact, I am able to do these things on the spur of the moment with little or no preparation. I have extensive experience consulting at all the different levels within an organization, such as: strategic, operational, and tactical.
Discipline (8):
I am very good at classifying and organizing things. I bring a high level of organization, order, and stability to the projects and groups in which I work. I’ve learned to eat an elephant one bite at a time by breaking long-term projects into a series of specific, short-term steps, and follow that plan diligently per the timeline and deadlines. I naturally manage my life by objectives and it has allowed me to achieve many things because my days are predictable and planned. I instinctively find ways to bring order and routine to chaos.
Significance (9):
I am an independent person that puts forward the effort and time to make positive contributions that are substantial, powerful, and significant; someone who makes a difference in this world. It is that unique strength to be significant that pulls me upward, away from the mediocre and always toward the exceptional. When combined with my many other talents, I always knock that ball out of the park. It is simply how I operate and the world will be better because of my efforts.
Competition (10):
My world is rooted in comparison; it is also why I am so good in analytics. I have a deep aspiration to be the best and will work hard to excel. But my competitive focus is an internal one to improve, to be the best that I can be. But my actions are always infectious because by example I raise a group’s achievement level by creating a culture of winning and an aspiration to be the best. I help show people the way to move forward.
Activator (11):
While other may talk a good game, I am a doer, a catalyst who gets the job done. I turn thoughts into action. I am able to do this well because I have strong natural analytical and strategic talents that allow me to understand all the factors that might affect a given situation, and I take it to the next level by taking action when I know it is the right thing to do. I am a producer and people are always amazed by the quality and quantity of what I deliver.
Maximizer (12):
I am a person who can transform something strong into something superb. I am a team builder, a mentor that can create strengths within groups by enabling each person to do what he or she naturally does best. Quality and excellence, not average, is my measure and pursuit. I find the talents and strengths in others, I know their weaknesses, and then I orchestrate things in such a way that we are able to work as a well-tuned machine.
Intellection (13):
I have a very solid foundational knowledge of security industry frameworks, best practices, security control objectives and controls. I have knowledge and experience measuring and benchmarking what matters. I am able to use this information to accurately analyze and plan strategically. I have the leadership vision to see things that others do not grasp. I am able to think outside the box; I solve problems; I orchestrate and make things happen without having to be told.
Self-Assurance (14):
I am the person who leads the way for everyone else. I am comfortable being uncomfortable. I will just make it happen, I’m a doer, it is the way my mind works. I will do whatever is required to be successful. I am not afraid of anything, I will go from point “A” to point “B” in the quickest amount of time possible, but I won’t break the china – an important point to remember about me. I possess an inner compass, all my natural talents, that give me the confidence and judgment to handle risks, to meet new challenges, to make the right decisions, to steer the ship on the right course while under pressure, to stake claims, and, most importantly, to deliver.
Deliberative (15):
I bring my entire top 20-talents to task when making decisions. I am careful and vigilant. When I make a decision, or take action, it is very deliberate because I have thought things through using a conscientious approach. I use my abilities to reduce risk and prevent problems through natural anticipation and careful thought. I take care to consider options, thinking through the pros and cons of each alternative. I identify the dangers, weigh the relative effect, and then place my feet deliberately. I have consistently made informed and good choices in my life.
Input (16):
My online curriculum vitae documents and demonstrates that I have maintained a high-level of relevant subject matter expertise in the information and physical security industries for decades. Not only do I possess vast amounts of knowledge capital at my fingertips, but also I have the experience in implementing and operationalizing well-aligned information security management systems. I am constantly acquiring, compiling, and filing things away to store knowledge that can be culled and shared.
Command (17):
I am the type of person that naturally takes charge. I can see what needs to be done and I make it happen, I am a doer. I am definitely not frightened by confrontation; rather, I understand that confrontation can be the first step toward resolution. I seek clarity because my analytical talents prevail and I challenge others to be realistic and honest. I may intimidate some people at first, but I am a very approachable guy, and people consider me to be very humble. I have the ability to bring to light what is often avoided or unstated. This gives me the ability to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings. I am a leader, someone with presence and charisma.
Arranger (18):
I am an organizer and orchestrator, no doubt about it. I like to figure out how all the pieces and resources can be arranged to maximum productivity. By using my analytical and strategic talents, I am flexible enough to address mundane, complex, and dynamic situations involving many factors, managing all of the variables, aligning and realigning them until they are arranged in the most productive configuration possible. When I am confronted with the unexpected, I like to jump into the confusion, devise new options, hunt for new paths, and figure out new partnerships — because, after all, there might just be a better way and I’ll find it.
Consistency (19):
I am able to easily and quickly make judgments that are fair to everyone involved. I am trustworthy, it comes across well, and so people do trust me. I have taken several American Management Courses, as well as, management courses from the employers I have worked for over the years. I’ve had no management or legal issues during my 38-years of employment, absolutely none. I’ve owned several of my own companies; no one has ever brought up any issues with my management style and/or handling of their employment. I am fair with everyone. People like working for me and many people have stressed an interest in working with me again.
Positivity (20):
Sometimes, little simple things can make all the difference in the world. It is not always what you say, but how you say it. People know if you are being genuine with them. One has to be fair in their recognition, but give recognition when it is well deserved and obvious to all. I have a way of making everyone feel like they are special and have something to offer the team and organization.
Andrew R. Reese
Cyber Security Practice Leader
Mobile: (717) 395-3063
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