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As one of those that have been in a leadership position of one sort of another longer than I care to admit, I have had my share of assessment tools offered, recommended, and thrust upon me. While I understand the value of structured reflection and the challenges of developing an analytical framework that is compelling, I didn’t find such exercises particularly relevant or effective. Not to pick on any one provider, but I attended an incredibly intensive training event that leveraged a 4-letter assessment. Do I remember what those four letters are? Nope. Do I remember the pathways and recommendations based upon them? Uh-uh.

And then, like finding the jigsaw puzzle piece that finishes that annoying piece of sky, came Clifton Strengths. I want to point out that I have no official relationship with Clifton Strengths and this is simply my personal experience, but the principles and process of this particular assessment tool were impactful and effective.

What are Clifton Strengths?

Clifton Strengths are brought to you by Gallup, the polling/consulting/training company with which many are familiar. What I find most compelling about the Clifton Strengths are their virtually endless flexibility and personal alignment. While not giving away the store, there are 34 discrete strengths ranging from Input and Command to Empathy and Discipline. These are all positively defined and are used to highlight what you are good at – which is a great way to receive this feedback.

These strengths are organized into four domains:

• Executing – help you make things happen.
• Influencing – help you take charge, speak up and make sure others are heard.
• Relationship Building – help you build strong relationships that hold a team together.
• Strategic Thinking – help you absorb and analyze information that informs better decisions.

Between the order in which your strengths are listed and the domains that those strengths align to, you get a detailed, relevant, and positive assessment of what you bring to the table in your professional relationships. Furthermore, you get a detailed analysis of the top 5 strengths and why you succeed with that strength, with a lesser level of detail for strengths 6-10. The rest of the 34 are addressed as targets to navigate, improve, or avoid.

For example – 4 of my top 5 strengths were in the Strategic Thinking theme (the fifth being Positivity, a relationship building strength) which has positively (no pun intended) influenced the kind of work I am doing now versus prior to the assessment. Previously, I was very much into daily operational tasks and tracking. Now I lead transformational programs – a “what’s next” person instead of a “what’s now” person. Am I happier? Yes. Is my organization better for it? Also Yes.

How do I use them day-to-day?

As with many other diagnostic tools and recommendation documents, the tendency to find a home on a metaphorical or actual shelf is real. How do I use my Clifton Strengths to prevent this? I’m glad you asked:

• Keep the report handy – whether that be in your journal, storing the document on your tablet or laptop where you can easily refer it, or both. Make it active reference material.
• Use the information on your highest rated strengths to prepare for your next engagement, and consider which will be relevant and helpful.
• Review the lowest rated strengths to identify areas to mitigate or constructively improve upon as part of your individual development plan.
• Share them – this may not be as helpful if you’re the only member of the Clifton Strengths Cool Cat Club, but my organization took the time to leverage these assessments and then review them with each other. Seeing how the assessment highlighted areas of focus, comfort, and talent helped our leadership team tremendously in engaging with each other and aligning responsibilities to strengths.
• Revisit them – not to sound like a commercial, but as you change and develop as a professional it is likely your results will change as well. Consider taking the assessment every so often to capture what is different. My last assessment was 2022, so I think I’m due for a refresh next year. Your mileage will vary.

To learn more…

Curious about Clifton Strengths and the various options you can take advantage of? Please follow the link – https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/253868/popular-cliftonstrengths-assessment-products.aspx

Follow this link to learn more about Gallup, the parent company of Clifton Strengths – https://www.gallup.com/corporate/212381/who-we-are.aspx