7 Years Later: How My Strengths-and my Leadership-Have Evolved

In 2017, I took the VIA Character Strengths Assessment for the first time. My top strengths back then? Judgment, Kindness, Perseverance, Social Intelligence, and Honesty.

It made perfect sense at the time. I was someone who pushed through challenges with grit, relied on analytical problem-solving, and had a strong sense of justice—fairness mattered deeply to me, and when something felt “off,” I sat with it (probably for too long). I worked hard, figured things out on my own, and kept moving forward.

But here’s the thing—we grow. We evolve.

So, 7 years later, I took the assessment again. And wow, the shift was profound.

My top strengths today?

1. Love (building deep, reciprocal relationships)

2. Love of Learning (constantly growing & mastering new ideas)

3. Honesty (staying true to who I am)

4. Creativity (solving problems in new, innovative ways)

5. Curiosity (embracing exploration & questioning everything)

It’s not surprising. Over the past seven years, I’ve changed my approach to success, leadership, and personal fulfillment:

✅ I no longer believe in "muscling through" alone. I’ve learned that the best solutions come from collaboration, creativity, and curiosity—not just perseverance. Leadership isn’t about grinding through every challenge—it’s about empowering others.

✅ Justice and fairness still matter to me, but I don’t waste energy "stewing" over what I can’t change. Instead of focusing on what’s wrong, I focus on how I can build, create, and move forward. Some things aren’t fair—that’s life. My energy is better spent making an impact where I can.

✅ I lead through relationships more than ever. Love was nowhere in my top five in 2017. Now it’s at the top. That’s because I’ve realized that deep, trusting relationships drive everything—whether it’s leadership, career success, or personal fulfillment. Investing in mentorship, meaningful conversations, and helping others grow is my greatest strength.

✅ Curiosity & creativity now define my leadership. I used to focus on getting things right—now, I focus on asking better questions. I lean into innovation, exploring possibilities, and staying open to what I don’t know.

Now, a quick caveat: These results don’t scientifically measure my abilities—they reflect how I see myself and, more importantly, what I value today. And that’s what makes them meaningful. Our perceived strengths shape how we lead, connect, and grow.

So, why share this? Because we often assume our strengths are fixed. But with a growth mindset, we evolve. What worked for us 5, 7, or 10 years ago might not serve us today—and that’s a good thing.

If you haven’t revisited your strengths lately, I highly recommend taking the free VIA survey (link here) and reflecting on how you’ve grown.