Every team has people who naturally bring different talents to the table. One person may quickly spot patterns, another may build connections, and someone else may keep the group focused and moving forward. When employees understand those talents and learn how to apply them intentionally, they can communicate more clearly, collaborate more effectively, and contribute with greater confidence.
CliftonStrengths® gives individuals and teams a shared language for recognizing those natural patterns.The CliftonStrengths® assessment (formerly known as StrengthsFinder) measures an individual’s top five signature strengths. These strengths come from a list of 34 possible strengths, including Competition, Includer, Analytical, Discipline, and more. The top five are the individual’s natural talents, the things that drive them.
You can take the CliftonStrengths® assessment here: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/252137/home.aspx
The Benefits of CliftonStrengths®
Talents, when applied frequently and intentionally, become strengths. You may have a natural talent for tennis, but if you never practice or play, it’s not going to be your strength. CliftonStrengths® helps individuals identify their natural talents and apply them for personal and professional success.
Employees who are using their strengths on a regular basis are more engaged at work, which ultimately drives worker satisfaction and productivity. When a team dives into CliftonStrengths® together, employees develop a deeper knowledge of their teammates and what makes them tick, leading to more effective teamwork. It also provides a common language that teammates can use to help others understand their work style and behaviors.
CliftonStrengths® can help employees and teams:
- Build awareness of the talents they naturally bring to their work
- Talk more openly about work styles and preferences
- Recognize and appreciate what colleagues contribute
- Assign or approach work with individual talents in mind
- Create a shared language for collaboration and development
Name, Claim, and Aim Your Strengths
Once you’ve taken the CliftonStrengths® assessment, you’re not done! To understand those strengths and take them to the next level, you need to intentionally apply them. To do this, we recommend Gallup’s “Name it, claim it, and aim it!” process.
Name it
Take the assessment and learn the language associated with your results. Notice which descriptions immediately resonate and which ones you want to explore further.
Claim it
Look for examples of these talents in your work and life. When have they helped you solve a problem, build a relationship, influence a decision, or complete a project?
Aim it
Choose an upcoming foal or challenge and identify one talent you can apply intentionally. Aiming your talents turns awareness into meaningful action.
Try this:
- Which result feels most like you?
- Where does that talent currently help you?
- When might it be overused or misunderstood?
- How could you apply it to an upcoming priority?
- What support would help you use it more effectively?
How Managers Can Put Strengths Into Practice
Understanding strengths becomes even more valuable when teams use a shared strengths-based approach. When managers know what naturally energizes and motivates each team member, they can better align responsibilities, provide meaningful coaching, and create opportunities for growth.
If your team has completed the CliftonStrengths® assessment, consider creating a team strengths grid that highlights everyone’s top talents. This can help identify areas of strength across the team, uncover opportunities for collaboration, and make it easier to match people with projects that align with their natural abilities.
Managers can also incorporate CliftonStrengths® into regular team meetings, one-on-one discussions, project planning, and development conversations by asking questions like:
- Which of your strengths helped you succeed this week?
- How can you use your strengths to tackle this challenge?
- What strengths should we leverage on this project?
- Where might a teammate’s strengths complement your own?
When strengths become part of everyday conversations, employees feel more valued for who they are and what they naturally do best. Over time, this can lead to higher engagement, stronger collaboration, and a more positive workplace culture.
Interested in bringing CliftonStrengths® to your team or diving deeper into your own results? Learn more about our training services and coaching services here! Or send us a message here, and we’ll guide you to the right path.
To learn more about CliftonStrengths® (formerly known as StrengthsFinder), check out these episodes of The JoyPowered® Workspace Podcast: