In taking a training course I got another copy of Now Discover your Strengths 1.0. This is the third book I now own. I decided to retake the test. Only 2 of my stregths remained the same over the course of this year.

Here are the new strengthfinder results:
Ideation
People strong in the Ideation theme are fascinated by ideas. They are able to find connections between seemingly disparate phenomena. ActivatorPeople strong in the Activator theme can make things happen by turning thoughts into action. They are often impatient.

Woo
People strong in the Woo theme love the challenge of meeting new people and winning them over. They derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection with another person.

Communication
People strong in the Communication theme generally find it easy to put their thoughts into words. They are good conversationalists and presenters.

Arranger
People strong in the Arranger theme can organize, but they also have a flexibility that complements this ability. They like to figure out how all of the pieces and resources can be arranged for maximum productivity.

As previously blogged, last year they were:
Connectedness
People strong in the Connectedness theme have faith in the links between all things. They believe there are few coincidences and that almost every event has a reason.

Ideation
People strong in the Ideation theme are fascinated by ideas. They are able to find connections between seemingly disparate phenomena.

Input
People strong in the Input theme have a craving to know more. Often they like to collect and archive all kinds of information.

Activator
People strong in the Activator theme can make things happen by turning thoughts into action. They are often impatient.

Empathy
People strong in the Empathy theme can sense the feelings of other people by imagining themselves in others' lives or others' situations.

So, to summarize, I don't think I've lost my empathy. I think that what has happened instead is that those softer traits have taken a back seat during a time of massive change. I need the Communication and Woo skills more right now. I don't think woo is a real strength above other things. As far as the "Arranger" part goes, that is most of what my work has been this year. I've gotten better at that through practice, but I don't think it is a core part of my personality.

As a result of taking this test again, I think I have three strengths worth looking at, not five. It is silly to think that each person should have five or focus on five. In fact, Activator and Ideation above all others are strengths that are especially dominant in me. The others will change each year I'm pretty certain.

Activator (I fit the description perfectly)
Ideation
A mixture of Empathy and Communication (I use both together, but not each alone. I call this having social skills in general).