I am a Strategic Processor

I have a strategic way of thinking. I discovered this through taking the Strength Finders test about 2 years ago. My number one strength is Strategic. Once I found this out, things made more sense to me. I thought “Oh! That’s why I do what I do or plan the way that I plan” When I’ writing I’m thinking how is this going to sound? Will it offend anyone? Will it touch anyone? Am I rambling? I do try to make a point and get to the point. However, I love the details. A friend shared an experience they had with me the other day via messaging. His recount of the story was detailed to the point that I felt like I was having this experience myself. He was very creative with his writing. When I think of writing, I think mine would be more text book sounding. I wouldn’t add in how the sun felt, how it smelled outside, and all of those details that make stories fun.

I write with a goal in mind. I plot in my head how I’m going to get there. I plan how I’m going to pull it all together. And a lot of the details get left out that other people might add. I have to actually be intentional to include those details. Strategic is about what’s the quickest and most effective way to get the point across with it sounding interesting all at the same time.

This is how I process everything. I am processing while having a conversation. Like what does this person need in this situation? I’m thinking what is going to be the most effective thing for this person to know right now. I believe this strength and the way that I process is beneficial to being a social worker. I am always trying to figure it out. I also ask a lot of questions. I have already figured out potential areas of need and I can empower them for them to come up with the solution through directive questioning.

If you kind of see the potential areas of need or problem areas, you can formulate your questions to get them to see it if they haven’t already. As they discover what you’ve already seen, they are ready to move towards a solution. While I am strategically processing, I am also thinking of possible solutions.

Once I discovered that I process this way, I am more conscious of it and am able to use it more intentionally and effectively.

I'm the right side!

Left Brain: "Critical"	Right Brain: "Creative"
Ability to think about the parts	Ability to see the whole
One at a time	In a flash
1+1=2 style logic	intuition and insight
careful, step-by-step work	sponteaneity
linear thinking	Visual or spatial thinking
memorizing	improvising
grammar, spelling and technical skills	flow, rhythm of sentences
structuring paragraphs and ideas	visual images, picturing your thoughts
numbers, facts and statistics	emotions, feelings, visions, dreams
evidence	metaphor
strategizing to convince an audience	trusting what you feel
tables like this one!	drawings or stories
separating ideas- Analysis	connecting ideas- Synthesis

As I studied the left and the right brain functions, I would have assumed based on their titles that I function more from the left side of the brain. However, as I read the descriptions of the right brain I realized that I associate more to the right side. I have never thought of myself as a creative person. However, the descriptions are all me!

On the left side, I am good at memorizing, numbers and strategizing. On the right side, I am able to see the big picture and details at the same time. I have a good intuition. I am definitely a visual thinker. I have to see something to get it. I am really good at improvising and the flow of sentences when writing is not a challenge. I am really good at communicating my feelings, visions, dreams and emotions and I trust what I feel. I pretty much have covered the entire right brain descriptions.

I was surprised to find out that I function mostly from the right side. Good fun!!