Whenever I hire a new assistant, I have a list of questions I ask to get a feel for how we can best work together. Â I want to make sure I take advantage of their strengths and provide them the opportunity for growth. Â I think that good working relationships are developed when each person’s skills are valued and when they can learn about the things that they enjoy.
So, I’ve developed my “List of Fives” to feel out the strengths and growth areas for someone I’m going to work with, and I try to use it to help us to take advantage of synergy whenever possible.
1. What are your five biggest strengths?
2. What are five things that you enjoy learning about?
3. What are five topics you’d like to learn about that are unfamiliar to you?
4. What are five skills or strengths that you’d like to get better at?
5. What are your five favorite sources of inspiration? [books/websites/articles/poems/videos/songs]
As a little reflective exercise today. I answered these questions for myself today.
1. What are your five biggest strengths?
Innovation
Communicator/Explainer/Speaker
Organization
Problem Solving
Knowledge of Ed Tech Space
2. What are five things that you enjoy learning about?
Science of Learning
Learning Analytics
Social Media
Game Design
Data Visualization
3. What are five topics you’d like to learn about that are unfamiliar to you?
User Interface Design
PHP or WordPress coding
Science/History of Futuring
Science of Multiple Choice Testing
Artificial Intelligence for Learning
4. What are five skills or strengths that you’d like to get better at?
Patience
Leadership / Managing a large team
Fundraising / Raising capital
Conflict management (just not much experience)
Contract negotiation (no experience)
5. What are your five favorite sources of inspiration? [books/websites/articles/poems/videos/songs]
My Twitter network
TED
Book: Theory of Fun for Game Design
Magazine: Technology Review
Magazine: Wired
It’s an interesting little exercise to help you to see whether your current job is actually utilizing your skills and providing you with growth, isn’t it?
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