When considering strengths, often, we think too surface level. We are content to look up buzzwords or concede to generic shows of strengths. For example, we collectively are all too easily willing to attest that we have the ability to listen, be team players, and display leadership as our examples of strengths.

Now, these are strengths in their own respects, however at the age of 22 and considered an adult, these seem juvenile and mundane strengths that we as a society have deemed staples of strength. 

Which leads me to contemplate, what is a strength that is different from the rest? What is required to take the next step into the professional world ensures a sense of maturity and cognitive development.

This heavy contemplation has led me to focus on a strength that I believe is fundamental; the strength and/or ability of self-awareness and reflection. 

Socially, in our interactions many people lack the ability to understand the things they say and do have repercussions; negative and positive. We are told to speak our minds, to express ourselves, and to speak freely without repercussion.

However, a lack of self-awareness allows you to naively make mistakes and say things under the false pretense that others will understand your thought process or guiding experiences. 

Since I was a child, it was instilled into the core of my being to be aware of the things that I do and say. People who don’t know you will create a narrative of who you are simply based on a singular interaction…

It’s imperative to not provide behaviors or actions that enrich a negative association. It is better to listen than to be heard. It is better to understand than to be understood in many respects. 

If you listen and listen with intentionality you become aware of your surroundings and the weight your voice may carry within any social setting.

For example, when someone is speaking to you; rather than listening in order to simply provide a rebuttal you should pay attention to their body language, voice/tone inflection, and the manner in which to address certain topics. When listening absorb the information, process it, and then ask, address, and respond within the parameters of the conversation. 

We were given two ears and one mouth, therefore logically it can be inferred that we were made to listen more than we were to talk.

This is where self-awareness is key, it is important to understand your positionality and cognitive thought process. Listening with intentionality ensures that you don’t juxtapose others by accidentally attacking or discrediting their experiences.

When you become aware of the things that can and cannot be said in ways that will invoke a positive or neutral response then you have mastered the skill of intentional listening.