What's Your Secret Sauce?

1) Describe five ways in which you think you have human capital that is truly unique. What is it about you, exactly, that makes you different? Write this up in a detailed list.

1. Independence - I would definitely say that I am an independent person. Even when I was a kid, I didn't like getting help from people. I like to show to myself and others that I am perfectly capable of achieving things with my own abilities if I need to. 
2. Creativity - I've always had an eye for design and an appreciation for art. Painting is one of my hobbies and I just enjoy crafting things in general. I think that having this appreciation for creativity helps me to be more open to different ideas because I am used to the range of options in art. It also gives me an advantage in projects that require more creative or artsy aspects. 
3. Humor - I think humor is extremely important. It helps you relate to people, even if you don't know them that well. This can be very important when you are connecting with people from different backgrounds. I think my sense of humor has helped me develop a lot of relationships with people from different social groups. 
4. Outgoing - This might seem like something a lot of people are, but in certain settings, people aren't that outgoing. For example, in interviews some people tend to be quieter than they actually are which gives off the impression that they are less extroverted. I am a very openly outgoing person which really helps me connect with other people in both casual and professional settings. 
5. Dependable - I like to think of myself as a dependable person. Personally, I don't like when I have to rely on other people and they let me down, so I've made it a point to make myself as dependable as possible. I want people to be able to come to me with favors, requests, or projects, and know that I will get the job done. 

2) Interview the five people who know you the best. 

1. My first interview was with my older brother. He's definitely seen me grow as a person over the years because we're close. Something that stood out to me was that he said I was adventurous. 
2. My second interview was with one of my best friends. She has known me since 1st grade and we've had tons of classes together. I thought it was interesting that she said I was so positive, because that's not the first thing that comes to my mind when thinking of myself.
3. My third interview was with my dad. It was really interesting to here his point of view because he is a business man. But rather than focusing on that, he pointed out that I can do a lot of different things. 
4. The fourth interview was with another one of my best friends that I've known since high school. He was salutatorian of our graduating class so I've always looked up to him and it was kind of enlightening to hear his thoughts on me. 
5. The last interview was with my mom, who I'm very close with. What stood out in her interview was her saying that I am quick to learn. I've never really thought about myself that way. 

3) Reflect on the differences. 

I think there are a lot of similarities in the way I see myself and how others see me. Generally, both myself and the people I interviewed said that I am capable of doing things when I set my mind to it. A difference that I didn't notice about myself is how I personally affect others. I know that I'm a "people-person" but I didn't realize how that comes off, especially since I'm able to connect with people from all types of groups and backgrounds. That difference exists because I don't have an "outside" view of how I connect with people. I wouldn't make any corrections to my list in part 1 because I'd like to think that I know myself pretty well.