After some thought, because, after all, I analyze everything, I realize those statements are often very true.

When I believe in something, I'm very energetic.  I get very excited, and come perilously close to babbling.  Once at a client site visit, a manager in a conference jokingly snapped, "You do sales, too?!" because I was so enthusiastic about proactive knowledge management and how it can have long term benefit and savings.  At first I thought, "oh, god, I couldn't do sales!!" But thinking back, it's not so much sales, but evangelism. I am not good at preaching about what I am not 'sold' on myself, but if I do believe in something, watch out.  Because I analyze things, I look at all the potential ways something can be used in an environment to bring value. I like finding more creative ways of using it, and thinking about both the long and short term benefits, and I simply have to find ways to use it outside the conventional, expected ways.

'People person' is not a term I really associated with myself, but I've started to accept it.  As someone still seeking employment, I've been helping other people learn about training grants, find opportunities, and, as you all know, learn how to leverage LinkedIn as part of their toolkit.  As a Technical Writer, I worked with agents on my projects to help them help improve the knowledgebase, and I relentlessly worked with client resources to get the information I needed to help my team do a better job, and make the client teams have an easier time as well. I believe in Win-Win.  And I was fiercely protective of my team as a team lead.

It's been pointed out to me that I've been assuming the role of "recruiter" for other people.  Two talks on LinkedIn under my belt, a workshop tomorrow, and another presentation/demonstration being discussed.  On Friday, I had to turn down an opportunity, but I provided the name of another candidate that may actually be a better match. I'm regularly sharing opportunities, and finding more ways to help other job seekers.

For someone who searches for flaw to plan contingency around, I do try to find the positive.  Setbacks can be opportunities.  Many times the "no" to try something new that might cost money would result in finding a more economic way to get the same results.  You can't change the past, but you can affect the future.  I actually get annoyed with the wringing hands mentality.  I'm not a "that's not going to work" person, but I am a "What if this happens, what are the options" and "If we do that, the consequences are X, Y, and possibly Z" person.

Apparently, I'm not the grumpy, cynical hermit I thought I was. Who knew? (Apparently, everyone else!)