Respond to the following:

Developing new themes is part of growing as a person. People are not limited to a defined set of characteristics that guide successes. There are things that some find more challenging than others, but that does not indicate what is impossible to achieve. If you are interested in self-improvement then take a pro-active role in doing so. Professionally, most employees receive feedback on a regular basis. Hearing your supervisor point out your deficiencies is not always easy. It is important to think about it as where you need to focus more of your energy. Constructive criticism is exactly that. It is not the information you are given, it is what you decide to do with it that truly defines your character.

Concentrating on the things that come naturally might be a waste of time. Accept developmental feedback from all sources and strive to do better in the future. If you know what you are good at, put those skills into effect when faced with problems that showcase your weaknesses. There are many solutions to most issues and it has been said that “there are many ways to skin a cat.” I have requested additional performance evaluations from my current supervisor to ensure that we are on the same page and that I am continuing to improve in the areas that he feels is important. Each chain of command has intricacies that will dictate which themes may be more beneficial to utilize and master. One cannot assume that the same course of action and approach will work equally well in all situations.

Having spent more than half my life in the military, I can look back and see that the many different positions I have held during my career were distinctly different. There is a certain level of similarity in my strengths and weaknesses but I can also see that my development over the years has been profound.

My current career showcases my strengths, although I have to question that perhaps my strengths are the result of what I have learned in uniform. I am adaptable, analytical, consistent, strategic and disciplined. I can’t say that those were among the top ten when I graduated high school. Career choices have had a huge effect on my growth as an individual. I am excited to find out what themes will be on my list in another 20 years.