Ideation is another one of those talents that sounds a bit odd, but, especially when considered in light of how it weaves together with connectedness, it makes more sense. According to the folks at Strengths Finder, among other things, "an idea is a connection" and my mind is "intrigued when seemingly disparate phenomena can be linked by an obscure connection."
So, if, as my connectedness talent suggests, I see everything in systems, then it's the ideation that help me connect all of the pieces of the system together and understand, in a rather simple way, the very complex process that's in place. It's what allows me to look at things from a variety of different perspectives. The folks at Strengths Finder say that this is why people label me as "creative or original or conceptual or even smart."
Outside of the areas I already identified with connectedness, I'm not really sure how else ideation proves helpful. They just seem so intertwined to me. Perhaps it's not just knowing that we're connected but seeing it, and thus having an ability to explain to others? I know this has been a regular occurrence in preaching and teaching, where somehow I can just link things together for people in ways that others haven't.
Anyone out there an ideation person without being a connectedness person? How do they separate in your life?
Hey Joe, you're the only other person I've found that had Ideation in their Top 5. Ideation is my top one and at first I really didn't comprehend it. But after careful consideration it does describe me, especially in connection with some of my other themes. I think it shows the strongest in when I learn things. I can easily visualize or conceptualize an idea, and no idea is too strange or too 'out there' to comprehend, even if the idea seems crazy to me, I can understand and comprehend it and see how all the elements of it would work. This also plays into my Strategic theme (#4 on my list) when I have an idea of my own, I can fit the pieces together and figure out how the idea can be implemented.
Good to know I'm not the only Ideation guy out there!
While I haven't sought out others with talents, I'm not surprised we're a rare breed. It is good to know that there are others out there!
By the way, great pics on your site.