From Renaissance scholars to Sigmund Freud, scholars have used the word fascination to describe the same hypnotic power of persuasion. But fascination is not the same as interest. Fascination is a neurological state of intense focus, one that creates an irresistible feeling of engagement. It's almost the same as falling in love.
When you are fascinated, you are in the moment. You are in the flow. Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi describes this "flow state" as:
"Being completely involved in an activity for its own sake. The ego falls away. Time flies. Every action, movement, and thought follows inevitable from the previous one. Your whole being is involved, and you're using your skills to the utmost."
The Fascination Personality Test® doesn’t measure how I see the world … it measures how the world sees me.
What’s the best of how the world sees me?
What makes me most fascinating, and most valuable to the people around me?
Here's how the world sees me at my best:
The Maverick Leader
Pioneering | Irreverent | Entrepreneurial | Artful | Dramatic
Strategic Thinking
Those who are able to keep people focused on “what they could” be are constantly pulling a team and its members into the future. They continually absorb and analyse information and help the team make better decisions.
Relationship Building
Relationship builders are the glue that holds a team together. Strengths associated with bringing people together — whether it is by keeping distractions at bay or keeping the collective energy high — transform a group of individuals into a team capable of carrying out complex projects and goals.
Influencing
People who are innately good at influencing are always selling the team’s ideas inside and outside the organization. When you need someone to take charge, speak up, and make sure your group is heard, look to someone with the strength to influence.
Leadership Themes
Ideation [Strategic Thinking]
People exceptionally talented in the Ideation theme are fascinated by ideas. They are able to find connections between seemingly disparate phenomena.
People with strong Ideation talents are creative and appreciate originality. They relish free-thinking experiences such as brainstorming and discussion groups. They have a natural capacity to consider issues from multiple perspectives. They revel in taking the world we all know and turning it around so people can view it from a strangely enlightening angle. They think outside the box. They are fascinated by new ideas and concepts, which come to them easily. They love ideas because they can be profound, they can be novel, they can be clarifying, they can be contrary, and they can be bizarre. For all these reasons they derive a jolt of energy whenever a new idea occurs to them.
The Power and Edge: People with dynamic Ideation talents are spontaneously creative and bring new and fresh perspectives. They have a natural sense of innovation that defies conventional thinking. Their innovative approach to problems and projects can be a source of new and valuable ideas.
Relator [Relationship Building]
People exceptionally talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal.
Relator talents describe a person’s attitude toward their relationships. In simple terms, people with strong Relator talents are drawn to others they already know. They do not necessarily shy away from meeting new people — in fact, they may have other themes that cause them to enjoy the thrill of turning strangers into friends — but they do derive a great deal of pleasure and strength from being around their close friends. In short, a person with strong Relator talents forms close relationships with people. They may know many people, and they can relate to all kinds of people. But they also have a very small group of friends with whom they have incredibly deep relationships.
The Power and Edge: People especially strong in Relator talents form solid, genuine, and mutually rewarding relationships. Their relationships are close, caring, and trusting.
Futuristic [Strategic Thinking]
People exceptionally talented in the Futuristic theme are inspired by the future and what could be. They energise others with their visions of the future.
People with strong Futuristic talents love to peer over the horizon. They are fascinated by the future. They anticipate and imagine in detail what tomorrow could or should be. They usually see the future positively. While the details of the picture will depend on their other strengths and interests — a better product, a better team, a better life, or a better world — it will always be inspirational to them. This vision energises themselves and others. They can paint a picture of the future that raises the sights and spirits of others.
The Power and Edge: Those individuals exceptionally talented in the Futuristic theme are visionaries. Their emotional anticipation and visualisation of a better future can inspire them and others to make that dream a reality. Their vision of tomorrow can push them and others to new heights.
Activator [Influencing]
People exceptionally talented in the Activator theme can make things happen by turning thoughts into action. They are often impatient.
“When can we start?” This is a recurring question for Activators. People with strong Activator talents are impatient for action. They may concede that analysis has its uses or that debate and discussion can occasionally yield some valuable insights, but deep down they know that only action is real. Once a decision is made, they must act. Others may worry that “there are still some things we don’t know,” but this doesn’t seem to slow Activators down. They make a decision, take action, look at the result, and learn. The bottom line is this: Activators know they will be judged not by what they say or what they think, but by what they get done. This does not frighten them. It energises them.
The Power and Edge: Activators are catalysts who get things started. They naturally see how to turn ideas into action. As a result, they make things happen. Their energy can be contagious and engaging. If you have an important project or talented group that simply needs a “jump start,” find an Activator — they will bring energy and instant momentum.
Connectedness [Relationship Building]
People exceptionally talented in the Connectedness theme have faith in the links among all things. They believe there are few coincidences and almost every event has meaning.
Things happen for a reason. Those with strong Connectedness talents are sure of it. They have a powerful conviction that everyone is connected. While each person is responsible for his or her own judgments and actions, those with strong Connectedness believe everyone is part of something larger. This belief implies certain responsibilities. Their awareness of these responsibilities creates their value system. They are considerate, caring, and accepting. Certain of the unity of humankind, they build bridges for people of different cultures. They give others comfort that there is a purpose beyond everyday existence. Their faith is strong. It sustains them and their close friends in the face of life’s mysteries.
The Power and Edge: People strong in the Connectedness theme build bridges between people and groups, showing them how to relate to and rely on each other. They help others find meaning in the unpredictability of the world around them, providing a sense of comfort and stability in the face of uncertainty. Putting it simply, their ability to “connect the dots” from the past, present, and future can give others perspective, guidance, and hope.