Do you know what your strengths are as a person? What makes you unique from everybody else? Imagine having that information at your fingertips and using it to improve your life. That is precisely what the Clifton Strengths Assessment did for me.
Too many personal assessments focus on negative aspects, making us feel inadequate. CliftonStrengths is refreshingly different. It focuses on your strengths so you can lean on them and be even more effective personally and professionally.
I decided to take the assessment because I was looking for ways to improve myself. After taking it, I realised its power and wanted to share it with others, especially as a personal development coach.
What is the CliftonStrengths Assessment?
Don Clifton, an American Psychologist, teacher, author, and entrepreneur, founded the CliftonStrengths Assessment. Don claimed that most psychologists were only interested in what was wrong with people, not why people excelled.
The American Psychological Association (APA) referred to Don Clifton as “the father of strengths-based psychology and the grandfather of positive psychology”. With such a background, I was always intrigued to try the assessment.
Gallup developed the assessment further. It focuses on identifying natural strengths and strategies. The formula, in the most simple terms, is:
Talent x Investment = Strength.
34 Themes Across 4 Different Domains
The assessment categorises strengths into 34 different areas depending on your answers to the questions. These areas are called themes. These themes are found across four domains, which are:
- Executing
- Influencing
- Relationship Building
- Strategic Thinking
My CliftonStrengths Results
It was exciting to learn more about what makes me tick. It’s like discovering your hidden superpowers and then unleashing them on the world for the greater good. It would help me and everybody around me.
I felt like a child the night before Christmas, waiting patiently but with pure excitement to open up my assessment. I wasn’t disappointed. I can honestly say that I cried. It wasn’t tears of sadness but happiness.
I didn’t know what to expect, but it was far more rewarding than I expected. Although I have done several behavioural assessments over the years, this one felt like another level. It feels fresh and exciting and hits the nail right on the head.
Here are my top five strengths:
Positivity
For anybody who knows me, they will tell you that I see the positive and good in anything and everything. It is a fantastic superpower that I use to keep myself and others upbeat and motivated.
Responsibility
I value honesty and integrity, and I am very transparent and trustworthy. You can rely on me. I love to work with people who are the same. If I give you my loyalty, you’ve got it for the rest of your life.
Achiever
I come from a business development and sales background and can relate to my achiever strength. I like to work hard and enjoy the accomplishment of doing a job well. It feels like something deep inside of me.
Developer
I live and breathe personal development, and as a personal development coach, I love seeing people grow and develop themselves. It doesn’t matter if it is baby steps. As long as you are moving forward, this excites me.
Activator
Yep! You’ve probably realised there is a bit of a theme by now. I like to take action and do things. I always refer to myself as a “doer”. I don’t sit idly by. I want to get going on projects.
How My Strengths Have Impacted My Life
Positivity came up as my No. 1 from the assessment. I have always been a positive person and an eternal optimist. But I had honestly forgotten how powerful that can be. It’s the same for all my top strengths. You learn how to use them for you.
On challenging days, I can step back and remember my No.1 strength to boost me. I use No. 2 to work with people who share my views on responsibility and honesty. And so on. There is no end to how you can use them.
When I did the assessment, I found it incredibly interesting. To this day, it still excites me. It made me want to learn more about my top 5, top 10, etc. and use them. You can also refer back to them whenever you want and remind yourself of who you are!
There are areas you need to be aware of depending on your particular strengths. These areas are referred to as “blind spots” as opposed to weaknesses you might have. This terminology makes it easier to accept and understand.
How I Used My Strengths
The fantastic thing about CliftonStrengths is that you can learn to “mix” your top strengths and positively impact all areas of your life. It takes time and practice, but you do end up having many “Aha!” moments.
I found having extra coaching sessions after the assessment beneficial, as I could delve deeper into my strengths. There is a lot of focus on the top strengths, but you can also look at the lower ones and work on them.
It’s also taught me how best to work in teams. It reminds you that everybody works in different ways because of their unique strengths. For team building, CliftonStrengths coaching can radically improve team performance and bond the team.
Using CliftonStrengths for Your Future
Before I make any significant decisions in life or at work, I like to refer back to my assessment reports. This helps me make the right decisions, work with people calmly, and enjoy life more.
Ultimately, CliftonStrengths has helped me realise what I am good at, who I am, and what I can lean into. It’s like having deep personal therapy that is enjoyable, insightful and ultimately life-changing.
I recommend taking the assessment to learn more about yourself and why you think and do certain things. It can help you maximise your life personally and professionally, as it has helped me. Enjoy!
Do you want to strengthen your team or learn about yourself?
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