Following a few educational and professional forays outside of the state, West Virginia native Kelly Nix has found a permanent home at WVU. A teaching associate professor in the John Chambers College of Business and Economics, she first served as a leadership specialist and then as a doctoral student while working for WVU Extension.
Nix is also a certified Gallup CliftonStrengths® coach who regularly incorporates strength lessons into her classrooms. As a big believer of the assessment’s ability to help people live, work and play with purpose, she offers strength workshops and one-on-one private coaching.
After using various personality assessments throughout her career, CliftonStrengths® has become her go-to guide and she harnesses her own strengths daily. Her top five CliftonStrengths® are Communication®, Positivity®, Discipline®, Woo® and Arranger®.
Recently, while out for dinner with friends, the conversation at the table took a negative turn, and at a certain point, Nix was able to shift the conversation to a more positive place.
“I noticed people at the table were relieved when that shift happened,” Nix said. “My Positivity really shows up loud and clear in so many parts of my life and I use this one almost daily.”
Nix said her top strength — Communication — also comes out often, both while she is working on home projects with her husband and at work assisting colleagues on research projects.
“Research isn’t my strong suit. It’s currently only 10% of my appointment,” Nix said. “But I can make meetings, set an agenda, assign tasks and so many other organizational functions that are directly connected to my Communication, Discipline and Arranger strengths, and that help move projects forward.”
According to Gallup, your CliftonStrengths® should not dictate your career path but you should think about harnessing your strengths to be better at your role.
“Students have a lot to gain from learning more about their strengths, getting involved with the Purpose Center on campus and attending events during the University’s Purpose Week. Surround yourself with people who can help feed your strengths, challenge them and compliment them as well. There’s a balance in it all,” she said.
Find more information about the Purpose Center and the Week of Purpose.