Responsibility | The Strength That Turns Commitment Into Action

Grateful for the chance to join the 34 Strong podcast with Angeline Soon hosted by Brandon Miller to talk about the CliftonStrengths of Responsibility. Here is a little clip of me talking about how Responsibility shows up in my life.

Make it stand out

It’s always meaningful to learn from others who lead with this theme and to reflect on what Responsibility looks like in my own life… the commitments we carry, the values that steady us and the purpose behind the promises we make.

The full podcast (42 minutes) - can be listened to here:

https://34strong.com/podcast_episode/responsibility-the-strength-that-turns-commitment-into-action/

A gentle whisper from a tree in my backyard…

This year brought unexpected change — the kind that reshapes you slowly and teaches you to trust what’s still being formed.
It wasn’t quick or tidy. It was quiet, slow, refining, shifting. From the inside out.

These remaining leaves captured in the image of the tree in my backyard, held a story for me. A reflection focused on holding on and being held.

Holding On With Strengths

Connectedness reminded me there is meaning woven into every transition.

Responsibility kept me grounded in my values when the path felt unclear and guided my next step.

Belief anchored me in purpose when the next step felt uncertain.

Ideation reminded me there are always new ways forward.

Learner guided my growth and curiosity through the unfamiliar.

Activator pushed me to take the first brave step when clarity finally met courage.

Each theme held a different thread, creating a kind of inner stability when everything else felt in motion.

Held in Faith

Scripture speaks in so many ways about being held — not by our own strength, but by God’s.

“Hold fast to the Lord your God.” — Deuteronomy 13:4
“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” — Colossians 1:17
“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand.” — Isaiah 41:13

In every season, especially the uncertain ones, it is God who holds, steadies, and upholds us.

Wherever You Are in Your Own Season

Whether you’re holding on, letting go, or stepping into something new…

hold on with your strengths,

and move forward in faith.

May these words meet you with hope in whatever season you’re navigating.

Ignited by Strengths

Strengths were Ignited by the Young Professionals Network in Kearney. The ripple effect of the energy shared through strengths discovery and application will cascade through our community. Watch as they shine their light.

Illuminating Strengths with the FAMILY Committee

Still on a high from this morning’s session “Illuminating Your Strengths” with members of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services FAMILY committee focused on supporting and elevating families in Nebraska. Their goal is to ensure that programs and policies reflect the real-life experiences of the families they serve.

I am so grateful for the work they do! And how awesome to now see their strengths more clearly in this meaningful work. We explored their individual strengths, looks at their strengths as a team, and then connected their strengths to four critical aspects of their mission.

Excited for the one-on-one coaching sessions I will have with these members in 2026!

Growing in a Strengths World

A few weeks ago, the garden was still full of color. Zinnias reaching toward the sun, butterflies lingering on the last blooms of the season.

Now that frost has settled in, those flowers are gone. But I find myself remembering the beauty and growth. Savoring it a bit longer.

It’s the same with our strengths. Each season brings its own color, its own purpose, its own lesson in resilience.
What strengths are you leaning into this season?

Big Idea Contestant

With nerves in check, I entered the 2021 Big Idea Contest. The first step was to record a 2-minute blurb about the business I was proposing. I utilized some of the work from my Special Project which was the capstone of my Master’s Degree in Youth Development that I completed in May 2021. I was selected to compete at the competition and provided my pitch to a packed house at the Nest, which included family and friends. The judges brought me to the next level which was then voted upon by the audience. I won 2nd place! And, I gained the confidence to being the journey of starting a business doing something that I truly love and see great rewards for those who unleash their strengths. Special thanks to Lisa and Aliese in the UNK Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development who were helpful and encouraging throughout the process.

Envision

Basic nuggets about CliftonStrengths were shared with about 70 sophomore and junior students from Buffalo County Schools as part of the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce ENVISION 2022 on April 20th. What fun it was to share this knowledge with these students who took the assessment as part of being selected to participate in this one day leadership summit.

The session ended with each student putting together word pairs from the Theme Dynamics cards based upon their strengths.

Youth of Buffalo County were encouraged to name, aim, and claim their strengths.