The global strengths movement started seven decades ago when Don Clifton, the Father of Strengths-Based Psychology, posed a simple question:
What would happen if we studied what was right with people versus what's wrong with people?
Clifton spent the rest of his life researching and inventing ways to help people maximise their infinite potential. To understand not only who they are, but who they can become.
His work led him to invent the CliftonStrengths® assessment (formerly known as Clifton StrengthsFinder), used by over 30 million people to discover their talents – their natural ways of thinking, feeling and behaving that can be productively applied.
Learn more about the history of CliftonStrengths here.
34 TALENT THEMES
The CliftonStrengths® assessment measures the presence of talent in 34 general areas, or themes, that are most directly related to the potential for success. These 34 talent themes are categorised into four domains.
STRENGTHS-BASED DEVELOPMENT
A strengths-based development strategy starts by focusing on what people do well. It then emphasises and builds on those strengths to help individuals become even more productive.
Based on decades of research, the philosophy of strengths is that individuals experience more positive outcomes when focusing on their greatest talents instead of their weaknesses.
Gallup’s research has shown that people who get to use and develop their strengths are 6x as likely to be engaged in their jobs and 3x as likely to report having an excellent quality of life:
Download a copy of Gallup’s CliftonStrengths® meta-analysis report on Gallup.com here.
BUILDING A STRENGTHS-BASED TEAM
A strengths-based team is a group of imperfect but talented contributors who are valued for their strengths and who need one another to realise individual and team excellence.
To build a strengths-based team, the first step is to introduce the team to strengths-based development principles and to help team members start to discover their greatest talents.
CliftonStrengths® is an invaluable tool that allows team members to identify and understand their unique talents and find new ways to work together. It also gives teams a common language for understanding, trusting and celebrating one another's capabilities.
Powerful partnerships are formed when team members with complementary strengths join forces to achieve a common goal.
CliftonStrengths® facilitated team sessions, together with strengths coaching for the leader and individual team members, are a great start to building a strengths-based team.
When team members understand one another’s natural talents and what makes them effective as individuals, they can begin to harness their individual and collective talents to succeed as a team.
Learn more about CliftonStrengths® for Teams and Managers here.
The key to success is to fully understand how to apply your greatest strengths in your everyday life.
Whether you are an individual, leader or team member, take the time to identify your most powerful strengths, learn how to apply them effectively, and make positive changes to thrive in your career and beyond.
Share with us your story and hear our thoughts on how you can transform the way you lead at work and in life.