CliftonStrengths: You are More Than Your Top 5

In Talent Development by Rhonda Knight Boyle

At the time of this writing, nearly 16 million people have taken the CliftonStrengths assessment and now know their Top 5 talent themes. This groundbreaking assessment is far more than a typical personality test. Instead, the results show where a person’s greatest potential for strength is, and where they can develop their innate talents into something greater.

When taking the test, you choose between the two pairing statements and the degree to which that option represents you. Your responses will be based on your awareness, your values, and other factors that may be influential in the moment.

Gallup Corporation, who owns the test, has more than 50 years of research under their belt when it comes to studying talent. They have determined that there are at least 34 “talent clusters” that we are all born with, and through development in our early years, we grow dominant in only 5 – 10 with the ability to access more at times. Some are patterns that we use subconsciously. Others are not.

Talent Development

A strength’s foundation is talent. By adding skill, knowledge, and practice, one can turn this talent into a powerful strength that can provide a positive outcome with near perfect performance. Most of us develop our talents naturally over time. However, it is possible — through intentional development — to do so sooner, rather than later. Working with a coach to create a plan for developing your talents can prove to be highly beneficial.

Top 5: You can turn this talent into a powerful strength

More Than Your Top 5

It’s important to understand that the Top 5 results only tell part of your strengths story. If you purchase your full profile (or unlock it later) the assessment ranks all 34 talent themes in order of dominant thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In fact, if you’re an adult it’s likely that you use your top 10 talents daily, and accessing as far as your top 15.

Knowing which of your talents are in play throughout your day can allow you to be more conscious in your decision making, improve your communication, increase your productivity, and add to your well-being. Just taking the test and going no further is an exercise in futility. Those who go beyond and into deep study of their own giftedness will position themselves more powerfully in their jobs and in their relationships.

Unlock Your 34

If you haven’t unlocked your full profile, you can return to the Gallup Strengths Center to do so. Just sign in, buy the Beyond Your Top 5, and open them. There’s no need to take the test again!

I believe the CliftonStrengths assessment (also known as StrengthsFinder 2.0) is the most powerful personal and professional development tool on the market today. IF you know how to use it!

Join me on Facebook to get daily nuggets on the CliftonStrengths assessment!

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Rhonda Knight Boyle

Rhonda is a Gallup Certified StrengthsFinder coach and the founder of Rhonda Boyle LLC, a coaching and consulting company. She uses Clifton Strengths and BP10 methodology to foster personal development and professional growth. She can be heard on the OklahomaTalkingCo podcast network and is the host of the Activate Your Strengths Show.

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