Input & Nintendo

I definitely cheated on this blog title. It’s the only one of my 34 blogs that I don’t use perfect alliteration for my blog title. But I am going to justify this one.

When my son was 4 or 5 and he first learned what Nintendo was, he asked me if we could get one.

But since his speech wasn’t fully developed at the time, he called it “Intendo”. So in my mind, when I think of Nintendo, I think Intendo.

So here’s Intendo & Input.

Fast forward a few years and we got a Nintendo Switch.

The very first game we played was called “Super Mario Bros Wonder”. I played video games pretty regularly as a kid on the NES and Sega Genesis and then into college on the Playstation.

Then there was like a 20 year gap on my gaming resume until very recently when we decided to get a Switch as a family. I realized I may have missed a whole generation of video games but please believe me when I say that this game completely rules.

The game is based off the classic version of Mario Bros, but has evolved in every way. You’re able to travel to different worlds and collect “badges” that give you super powers like jumping extra high or being able to climb a wall.

One of the badges we recently collected is called the “sensor badge”. The sensor allows you to move through a level with a “6th sense”, detecting things you might not otherwise see. This ability helps you defeat a level, which as we all know is what playing a game is all about.

Why am I telling you about a video game?

Now before you go out and start playing Mario Wonder please allow me to explain why I’m telling you this.

The sensor badge reminds me of the talent theme of Input.

When I work with people who have high input, they often describe the experience of not immediately understanding what it means. Some talent definitions are pretty intuitive, where the word used to describe the talent is very closely related to the definition.

It’s not a label, but it’s a familiar term that we already use to describe some of the general characteristics.

For example, Positivity can simply be… positivity! Empathy can be empathy. Communication is all about communication. Diving deeper into the Gallup definition gives you even more insight into all of the types of talents that are housed under that theme descriptor.

But Input? You mean where I plug in my headphones? That’s where storytelling can be helpful.

So back to the Mario Bros story.

Often I have heard Input described as the ability to collect things or information. I like to think of input as that sensor, constantly scanning and looking for valuable information to absorb. Those with high Input talent tend to be inquisitive. Perhaps they are good at actively probing with the right questions to collect the information needed.

Maybe you’re always reading the newspaper or scientific journals in order to stay informed. It could show up as being the person in a meeting who is very in tune to everyone else, scanning the room and picking up each person’s vibe.

Or maybe you do like to collect things, whether it be Pokémon cards or stamps or anything else you find useful. It’s also possible that you’re Luigi and you need to find the Wonder Seed so that you can complete the Fungi Mines level. Whatever way Input appears for you, it’s an awesome super power that facilitates your knack for learning things, knowing things and applying things.

Why Input is great for your team

People who are high in Input are amazing to have on your team because they can absorb information and apply it when it becomes relevant.

Remembering that themes are neutral, it’s important not to apply a negative connotation to those with Input as a strength. You’re not a “know-it-all”, you’re a resource of information.

Be grateful for the Input on your team because they’ll name that tune when it’s on the tip of your tongue and they’ll be resourceful with a process they have carefully documented when you find yourself stuck.

If you have high Input talent, be unafraid of your pull towards collecting things. Who knows, it might come in handy when you’re ready to defeat Bowser in the final level!