2. Understanding Strengths
Strengths are qualities that enable people to
do specific things very well
Gallup research shows that highly successful
people learn to play to their strengths and
minimize their weaknesses
StrengthsFinder has been used with over 4
million people in 17 languages in 50+
countries
Strengths-based education is being applied on
over 400 college campuses
5. There are over 33,390,000 unique
combinations of strengths themes
The combination and the order of the 34 themes of
talent measured by StrengthsFinder lead to more
than 33,390,000 possible unique sets of Signature
Themes
Among the first 800,000 people who took
StrengthsFinder, less than 20 people had the same
top five themes, without considering the order of the
themes
There are 278,256 possible unique combinations of
top five Signature Themes
6. Consider the Uniqueness of Each
Person’s Combination of Strengths
Each signature theme is influenced by the
application of the other 33 themes.
Each person’s strengths have the potential for
success when developed.
When each person is aware of personal
strengths and sees strengths in others, the
possibilities for excellence are exponential.
8. Strengths Connect with
Four Key Motivational Drives
Executing
Influencing
Relationship Building
Strategic Thinking
9. Executing Themes
Achiever- People strong in the Achiever theme have a great
deal of stamina and work hard. They derive great
satisfaction from being busy and productive.
Arranger- People strong in the Arranger theme can
organize, but they also have flexibility that complements
this ability. They like to figure out how all of the pieces and
resources can be arranged for maximum productivity.
Belief- People strong in the Belief theme have certain
unchanging core values, out of which emerge a defined
purpose for their lives.
10. Executing Themes (cont.)
Consistency- People strong in the Consistency theme are
keenly aware of the need to treat people the same and try
to treat everyone in the world fairly by setting up clear
rules and adhering to them.
Deliberative- People strong in the Deliberative theme are
best characterized by the serious care they take in making
decisions or choices. They can also anticipate the
obstacles.
Discipline- People strong in the Discipline theme enjoy
routine and structure. Their world is best described by the
order they create.
11. Executing Themes (cont.)
Focus- People strong in the Focus theme can take a
direction, follow through, and make the corrections
necessary to stay on track by prioritizing and acting.
Responsibility- People strong in the Responsibility theme
take psychological ownership of what they say they will do
and are committed to stable values, such as honesty and
loyalty.
Restorative- People strong in the Restorative theme are
adept at dealing with problems, figuring out what is
wrong, and resolving it.
12. Influencing Themes
Activator- People strong in the Activator theme make
things happen by turning thoughts into action. They are
often impatient.
Command- People strong in the Command theme have
presence, can take control of a situation and make
decisions.
Communication- People strong in the Communication
theme easily put their thoughts into words and are good
conversationalists.
Competition- People strong in the Competition theme
measure their progress against the performance of others,
strive to win, and revel in contests..
13. Influencing Themes (cont.)
Maximizer- People strong in the Maximizer theme focus on
strengths as a way to stimulate personal and group
excellence. They seek to transform something strong into
something superb.
Self-Assurance- People strong in the Self-Assurance theme
feel confident in their ability to manage their lives. They
possess an inner compass that gives them confidence that
their decisions are right.
Significance- People strong in the Significance theme want to
be very important in the eyes of others. They are
independent and want to be recognized.
Woo- People strong in Woo love the challenge of meeting new
people, winning them over, and derive satisfaction from
making connections with others.
14. Relationship Building Themes
Adaptability – People strong in the Adaptability theme live
life in the moment; ready to re-evaluate their options to
overcome any roadblocks.
Connectedness-People strong in Connectedness theme
have faith in the links between all things and believe there
are few coincidences because almost every event has a
reason.
Developer-People strong in the Developer theme recognize
and cultivate the potential in others and spot the signs of
each small improvement. They derive satisfaction from
these improvements.
15. Relationship Building Themes (cont.)
Empathy- People strong in the Empathy theme can sense
the feelings of other people by imagining themselves in
other’s lives or situations.
Harmony- People strong in the Harmony theme look for
consensus, do not enjoy conflict, and look for areas of
agreement.
Includer- People strong in the Includer theme are
accepting of others, show awareness of those who feel left
out, and make an effort to include them.
16. Relationship Building Themes (cont.)
Individualization- People strong in the Individualization
theme are intrigued with the unique qualities of each
person and have a gift for figuring out how different people
can work together productively.
Positivity- People strong in the Positivity theme have an
enthusiasm that is contagious. They are upbeat and get
others excited about tasks.
Relator- People who are strong in the Relator theme enjoy
close relationships with others and find deep satisfaction in
working hard with friends to achieve a goal.
17. Strategic Themes
Analytical-People strong in the Analytical theme search
for reasons and causes. They have the ability to think
about all the factors that might affect a situation.
Context-People strong in the Context theme enjoy thinking
about the past and understand the present by researching
its history.
Futuristic-People strong in the Futuristic theme are
inspired by the future and what could be. They inspire
others with their visions of the future.
Ideation-People strong in the Ideation theme are
fascinated by ideas and are able to find connections
between seemingly disparate phenomena.
18. Strategic Themes (cont.)
Input-People strong in the Input theme have craving to know
more and often like to collect and archive all kinds of
information.
Intellection-People strong in the Intellection theme are
characterized by their intellectual activity. They are
introspective and appreciate intellectual discussions.
Learner-People strong in the Learner theme have a great
desire to learn and want to continuously improve. In
particular, the process of learning, rather than the outcome,
excites them.
Strategic-People strong in the Strategic theme create
alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario,
they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.
19. What Can You Do Now?
Review the ‘Action-Planning Guide’
Pick one item to commit to trying this week
Clarify your Strengths…
Does it matter why I do this activity?
Does it matter who I do this activity with/to/for?
Does it matter when I am doing this activity?
Does it matter what this activity is about?
Share your Strengths…
…in your work; with your team
…with your manager
Chris to lead exercise – looking at your top 5, what strength did you see in play over the last 15 months (during the fiscal crisis/uncertain times at Harvard)?
Laurie to debrief video – 3 myths about strengths
Chris
I’m going to use the shorthand you described to me when we met:
The first two are about ‘outcomes’ – some words to use here are action, process, movement, direction
Executing in more inward and influencing is outward
The second two are about ‘relationships’ – linkage, reason & cause, pattern, issue
Relationship Building is obviously about relationships among people and Strategic Thinking is relationship between knowledge and ideas
For all of these slides, don’t read each one – let them know we are giving them these short overviews as a resource but that we would like to hear any reactions they have to any of these strengths.
Chris
Chris
Chris
Chris
Chris
Laurie
Laurie
Laurie
Laurie
Laurie
Chris to do 1st and 2nd bullets:
1st bullet – point out where this guide is located. Depending on time, ask for volunteers to read one item they will try to implement
2nd bullet – talk about importance of really getting specific with your strengths – use Marcus’ examples
Laurie to do 3rd bullet – either start here on this slide or move right away to next slide for last exercise. Be sure to work in how to use strengths in networking and interviewing
Laurie to lead last exercise – pass out 3 cards to each person – have them be specific about a work-related activity that makes them feel strong. Do you have them share these in the room in some way? Maybe each person shares one before they leave – and have the rest of the room clap for their strength? Or is this too hokey?