Knowing Yourself: How Understanding Your Preferences and Strengths Transforms Relationships and Results

The Importance of Self-Awareness

We spend a lot of time trying to be everything to everyone—at work, at home, and in our communities. But the truth is, the most effective, confident, and fulfilled people aren’t those who try to do it all. They’re the ones who understand who they are, what they naturally do best, and how to leverage those strengths in every area of life.

For me, that understanding started with learning about personality preferences through the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Over the years, I’ve used this framework personally and professionally, and it’s been a game changer. I’m certified in MBTI and work with teams to improve performance through better communication and collaboration. When individuals understand how they prefer to take in information, make decisions, and interact with the world, it’s as if the fog lifts. They begin to see patterns that explain why certain tasks energize them while others drain them, and why they click with some people right away and struggle with others.

The Power of Knowing Your Preferences

MBTI identifies preferences across four areas:

  • Where you focus your energy (Extraversion or Introversion)
  • How you take in information (Sensing or Intuition)
  • How you make decisions (Thinking or Feeling)
  • How you approach structure (Judging or Perceiving)

These preferences don’t put people in boxes—they provide a framework for understanding differences. For example, someone who prefers Extraversion may think out loud and process ideas through conversation, while an Introvert may need quiet reflection before sharing their thoughts. In a team setting, that difference alone can create unnecessary tension if it isn’t understood.

I once worked with a team where the extroverted members dominated meetings, unintentionally leaving little room for their introverted colleagues. After completing MBTI assessments and discussing each person’s type, the team agreed to add silent brainstorming before group discussions. The shift was immediate. Introverts had time to gather their thoughts, and the quality of ideas shared in meetings improved significantly. Understanding preferences didn’t just change how they communicated—it changed the team’s results.

Strengths: Turning Self-Awareness into Action

While MBTI helps us understand how we operate, the CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder) assessment helps us discover what we naturally do best. It identifies your top talents—the recurring patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior that drive your best performance.

When I combine MBTI and StrengthsFinder in my coaching and training sessions, something powerful happens. MBTI lays the foundation for self-awareness, and StrengthsFinder builds on that by turning awareness into action. It bridges the gap between knowing who you are and applying it to your work and relationships.

For example, a client once shared that she constantly felt overlooked in leadership meetings. Through MBTI, she discovered she preferred Introversion and Intuition—she liked to reflect deeply before speaking and often connected ideas that others missed. Her top StrengthsFinder themes included Strategic, Input, and Intellection, which reinforced her natural tendency to process internally before contributing. Instead of trying to be the loudest voice in the room, she started sending concise summaries of her thoughts after meetings. Her insights quickly gained recognition, and leadership began seeking her perspective more proactively. She didn’t change who she was—she learned how to work with her preferences and strengths instead of against them.

Applying Strengths and Preferences in Relationships

Understanding yourself is only half of the equation. The real transformation happens when you begin to understand and appreciate the differences in others. Whether it’s a coworker, spouse, or friend, knowing how others see and process the world helps us communicate more effectively and reduce unnecessary conflict.

At work, I often see high-performing teams plateau because of communication breakdowns rather than lack of skill. For instance, a Thinking preference may value logic and efficiency in decision-making, while a Feeling preference prioritizes harmony and impact on people. Neither is wrong—they simply have different starting points. When teams learn to balance those approaches, decisions become stronger and relationships healthier.

On a personal level, this awareness can be just as meaningful. One of my favorite stories comes from a married couple who both completed MBTI and StrengthsFinder as part of a leadership retreat. They discovered that their ongoing arguments about “communication styles” weren’t about lack of love or respect—they were about differences in preferences. One partner thrived on external processing (Extraversion), while the other needed space to reflect (Introversion). Once they recognized that, they adjusted how they approached conversations. What once caused frustration became a source of understanding and humor.

From Awareness to Growth

Both MBTI and StrengthsFinder remind us that growth doesn’t come from changing who we are—it comes from refining how we use what we’ve been given. When we know our preferences, we can make better decisions about how we work, lead, and relate to others. When we know our strengths, we can focus our energy on the areas where we naturally thrive instead of trying to force ourselves into someone else’s mold.

Here are a few practical ways to apply this in your daily life:

  1. Reflect regularly. Ask yourself what tasks or interactions gave you energy today and which drained you. Patterns will emerge over time.
  2. Communicate your preferences. Share how you work best with your team or partner. It’s not selfish—it’s setting yourself and others up for success.
  3. Acknowledge others’ differences. When someone approaches a problem differently, consider that they may simply have different preferences or strengths.
  4. Invest in development tools. Instruments like MBTI and StrengthsFinder aren’t just assessments—they’re springboards for meaningful conversations about how to work better together.

The ROI of Self-Awareness

Organizations often underestimate the impact of self-awareness on performance. But teams that understand and leverage their collective strengths consistently show higher engagement, productivity, and retention. When leaders model self-awareness, they create an environment where people feel seen and valued for their unique contributions.

Personally, I’ve witnessed incredible transformations in teams that take the time to learn about themselves and each other. Misunderstandings turn into appreciation, conflicts become constructive, and individuals start stepping into their roles with greater confidence. It’s one of the most rewarding parts of my work—watching people unlock what’s already within them.

Bringing It All Together

When you understand your preferences through MBTI and identify your strengths through StrengthsFinder, you gain a roadmap for more authentic, effective relationships. You stop wasting energy trying to fit a mold and start channeling your best self into everything you do.

As someone who helps individuals and teams bridge communication gaps and strengthen collaboration, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when people understand both who they are and what they bring to the table. Whether you’re leading a team, navigating a career transition, or simply wanting to improve your relationships, start with self-awareness.

Because when you know yourself, you lead yourself—and when you lead yourself well, everything else follows.

#Woo #Positivity #Connectedness #Developer #Communication

Leadership Development: The Importance of Crucial Conversations

The toughest part of leadership isn’t making decisions; it’s having the conversations that accompany them. A leadership team recently shared that their biggest challenge wasn’t technical—it was communication. Managers were avoiding tough conversations or leaving their teams with mixed messages.

When leaders build confidence in crucial conversations, trust and accountability follow. This is where tailored leadership development and communication training can make a difference. As a certified Crucial Conversations facilitator, I assist leaders in strengthening relationships and delivering results.

If your team is ready to grow stronger through better communication, let’s connect.

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Setting the Tone: Leadership’s Role in Shaping the Week Ahead

The start of each week offers leaders an opportunity to set the pace and tone for their teams. Whether you lead a department, a project, or an entire organization, the way you show up on Monday morning can influence how your people show up all week.

Why the Tone Matters
Teams look to their leaders for direction and stability. A leader’s approach – whether focused, distracted, supportive, or disengaged – sets expectations, impacts morale, and ultimately shapes performance. Setting the right tone at the beginning of the week can make the difference between a team that moves forward with clarity or one that struggles through uncertainty.

Three Ways Leaders Can Set the Right Tone

  1. Define Clear Goals
    Teams thrive when they know what success looks like. Outlining key priorities for the week helps employees stay focused and aligned.
  2. Communicate Consistently
    Regular updates and check-ins eliminate confusion and keep everyone connected to the bigger picture. Clear communication also reinforces trust and accountability.
  3. Provide Genuine Support
    Leaders who show they are invested in their team’s success—by removing obstacles, offering resources, and encouraging growth—create an environment where people want to give their best.

A Weekly Leadership Check-In
Ask yourself: What tone am I setting for my team this week? Am I fostering clarity, stability, and trust—or unintentionally creating uncertainty and stress? The answer to that question can guide how you lead, communicate, and support your team in the days ahead.

Strong leaders don’t leave the week’s tone to chance. They set it intentionally—and their teams follow.

Welcome to HAT Consulting, LLC: Your Partner in People Strategy

Hello and welcome! I’m Cassie Chauncey, founder of HAT Consulting, LLC, and I’m thrilled to introduce you to our new blog—a space dedicated to practical insights, expert guidance, and thoughtful conversation about all things Human Resources.

With over 25 years of experience in the HR field, I’ve worked with organizations of all sizes—from fast-moving startups to well-established enterprises. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that when businesses invest in their people, everything else follows: productivity, innovation, retention, and long-term success.

That’s the philosophy at the core of HAT Consulting, LLC. We exist to help leaders build healthier, stronger organizations by aligning their people strategies with their business goals.

Why This Blog?

HR is evolving faster than ever. Between shifting workforce expectations, changing laws, and the rise of remote work, many leaders are facing challenges they’ve never seen before. This blog is here to help you navigate those changes with clarity and confidence.

You can expect:

  • Straightforward HR compliance advice
  • Strategies for hiring and keeping top talent
  • Culture-building insights that actually work
  • Guidance on leadership, performance, and employee development
  • Real-world tips you can put into action right away

Whether you’re building your HR function from scratch or looking to elevate your current practices, you’ll find useful content here—without the jargon and fluff.

About HAT Consulting, LLC

At HAT Consulting, we provide customized HR solutions for growing businesses. From compliance and employee relations to leadership coaching and organizational development, we’re here to support every phase of your growth.

We’re not just consultants—we’re partners. We bring a people-first mindset backed by decades of experience to help you build a workplace where your team can thrive.

Let’s Get Started

Thank you for stopping by. I’m excited to share what I’ve learned over the past 25+ years and to help your organization move forward with purpose. Be sure to subscribe for updates, and if there’s a specific topic you’d like me to cover, just let me know—I’d love to hear from you.

Welcome to HAT Consulting, LLC. Let’s build something great together.

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