It is important for empowered women to rely on the tools in their toolboxes to encourage insightful change and to produce achievable outcomes. It has come to my attention that the word, “toolbox” is a term, object, or function that is most prevalent in a male-dominated society but as always, I have a story to tell. And yes, it literally talks about tools to be used to provide a better understanding of the figurative interpretation of the word, “toolbox”.
When I started this life coaching business, I decided that I needed an office. So, I bought a desk. The assembly of the desk was easy enough. I only had to follow the instructions on the instruction manual and use the parts and tools that were provided. The tool that was provided included a funny looking wrench (I think) and it also required a screwdriver. I couldn’t use any screwdriver, it had to be a Phillip’s screwdriver (has two blades in a shape of a cross). I knew that if I wanted to successfully assemble my office desk, it would be fruitless to try to use any other screwdriver on a screw that is designed for a a screwdriver that has two blades and that is in a shape of a cross. Most importantly, the tool (screwdriver) that I used didn’t care if it was handled by a man or woman ( I know. I just personified this inanimate object but you get the gist.) Being a man or woman did not stop the fact that my office desk was completely assembled. My toolbox is unique to me. And the tools that I use from the toolbox are unique to my determination in producing achievable outcomes.
This month’s survey was entitled, “ICU Growing Looks in the Toolbox. The purpose of the survey was to help us to identify the tools in our own toolboxes. This survey was sent to several people but only 3 responses were recorded. If you are interested in completing the survey, click on the link above. The survey consisted of six questions. First question: When you think of a toolbox, what comes to mind? Next question: Do you know the tools that are in your toolbox? Third question: Select from this list the tools that are currently in your toolbox. Next question: Which tools in your toolbox have been frequently used? Fifth question: Which tools in your toolbox have been underutilized? Last question: How has utilizing the tools in your toolbox shaped your life?
When you think of a toolbox, what comes to mind? Of the recorded responses, 2/3 of the participants answered a set of skills or competencies. 100% of the participants answered that the toolbox was something to organize and to carry tools.
Do you know the tools in your toolbox?
Of the recorded responses, 1/3 of the participants answered yes. 1/3 answered no. 1/3 answered maybe.
Select from this list the tools that are currently in your toolbox.
There were 14 skills for participants to choose from. Of course they could choose more than one skill. I think we have both innate skills and acquired skills. Participants also had the option to list a tool in which they possess that is indicated in the survey. The listed skills were intuition, social networking, creativity, humility, linguistic intelligence, emotional intelligence, empathy, accountability, perseverance, respect (including self respect), positive thinking, resiliency, technology savvy, business savvy, and conflict resolution. One of the skills listed for the “Other” category was hope. Yes. There are hard and soft skills present in this list. Of course there are other skill sets that can be included as well. And, the survey says….
1/3 of the participants said they had intuition, humility, emotional intelligence, technology savvy, and business savvy in their toolboxes. 2/3 of the participants said they had linguistic intelligence, empathy, accountability, respect, and positive thinking in their toolboxes. 100% of the participants said they had creativity, perseverance, and resiliency in their toolboxes.
Which tools in your toolbox have been frequently used?
There were varied responses when answering this question. This is natural because we are not all the same. We have different perspectives about life. We have been nurtured by different environments. We have all had different opportunities in life. On the other hand, there may be some commonalities in the tools that we frequently use. Perseverance and creativity were tools that are frequently used by 2/3 of the participants. Accountability, hope, and resilience were tools that are frequently used by 1/3 of the participants.
Which tools in your toolbox have been underused?
Of the responses provided, emotional intelligence was recorded. Conflict resolution was a tool that was indicated but no participant chose this option as a tool in their toolboxes. It is good to know that the tools we use can aid in our problem solving strategies. It is also good to know that the tools we lack can hinder our problem solving abilities. Social networking was another tool that was indicated but no participant chose this option as a tool in their toolboxes. This type of insight helps us to better understand the areas in which we need to grow. If no one chose this as an option, it can infer that when they decide to grow in this area, it will definitely be something that either participant acquires. And if it is something that they desire to pursue, they can take the risk and hone their skill set by engaging in prolific environments that enable them to do so.
How has the tools in your toolbox shaped your life?
They helped me to navigate through life. This is a response from one of the survey participants. When I think of the word navigate, words such as plans, directions, and guidance come to my mind. That is what I See You Growing Life Coaching does. It provides services that help us to plan our lives by understanding our current situations and where we want to go. I See You Growing Life Coaching serves as a guide for insightful change and achievable outcomes.
I have been able to grow, inspire others to grow and change the course of the direction of my life. This is a response from a different survey participant. I can see the parallel in the participant’s response when compared to the other. The benefit of identifying our tools is to know how they shape our lives. That is what I See You Growing Life Coaching does. We encourage every woman to embrace change and to expect growth. We empower you.
I SEE YOU GROWING LIFE COACHING 