While it is important to consider each one of your natural abilities individually, it is even more important to consider the overall pattern of the way in which all of the abilities come together. The sum of your abilities create a unique picture of you.
When you take the Highlands Ability Battery (HAB) you receive a Report with loads of data about what you are hardwired to do well. Individually, those results say a lot, but we have found that there are four particular dimensions with some real heft. Those are what we call the Four Key Dimensions.
Key Dimension 1: Work Environment
What work or study environment are you best suited for? Do you prefer to study alone or with people? Would you rather work in a fast-paced or moderate environment?
Let’s take for example a Specialist, someone who, according to their HAB results, wants to take an inch-wide, mile-deep approach to subjects. A Specialist often needs autonomy and works best when they can feel some sense of ownership and possession about work. Acquiring expertise, being the go-to person, and offering fully-composed work products are the natural gifts of a Specialist.
On the other hand, a Generalist, someone who prefers an inch-deep, mile-wide approach, likely wants to work with a team and have a variety of work. Generalists are energized by working through and with others and are comfortable with shared responsibilities. Consensus and delegation are natural tools to a generalist.
Key Dimension 2: Learning
How do you most easily take in new information? Do you like to teach others? Discovering your learning channels is hugely beneficial for students as well as professionals. Uncovering this information will allow you to study/work quicker and more effectively and can have an impact on how you convey information to others, too.
For another example, let’s look at someone who has taken the HAB and who’s Rhythm Memory, which relates to movement and action, is at the high end of the continuum. It’s likely this person remembers rhythm patterns and uses movement to learn new information – by literally going through the motions. This person probably has a need for physical activity in other areas of their life, too.
So what does that mean for conveying information? This person will likely want to show someone else how to do something by walking him or her through the motions!
Key Dimension 3: Problem-Solving
What is your natural approach to solving problems? Talking with others or sifting through it alone? Through the HAB, you’ll learn which problem-solving style you have; Diagnostic, Analytical, Experiential, or Consultative.
To illustrate, someone with Strong Classification and Strong Concept Organization would fall under “Consultative.” A Consultative Problem Solver can diagnose a problem and then create a plan for solving the problem easily. He or she likely excels in fast-paced environments where there are multiple problems to solve.
In addition to specific problem-solving styles, there are four additional blended styles. Knowing your style is not deterministic. In fact, knowing your style allows you to know which skills to develop to intentionally round out the options available to you when working with others.
Key Dimension 4: Communication
What is your natural approach to communicating with others? Many natural abilities influence your natural style of communicating including things you may have never thought of before.
We all have some notion of the influences of the differences Introversion/Extroversion can have. If we think about it, we might also suspect differences in how Specialists and Generalists communicate. But there is so much more!
How about the influences of the number of ideas you generate, your orientation to the tangible/intangible world, or the level of patience/impatience you experience?
Working with a Highlands Certified Consultant to understand your unique approach to these Four Key Dimensions can make all the difference!
