Gallup CliftonStrengths

Gallup CliftonStrengths (formerly known as StrengthsFinder) is a comprehensive assessment and development framework tool designed to help individuals discover and develop their natural talents. Based on decades of research into human psychology and performance, this assessment identifies your top talent themes from 34 possible strengths categories, providing insights into where you naturally excel and how you can maximize your potential.

The assessment reveals your unique combination of talents – recurring patterns of thought, feeling, and behaviour that can be productively applied. Unlike traditional approaches that focus on fixing weaknesses, CliftonStrengths emphasizes building upon what you already do best, leading to greater engagement, performance, and personal fulfilment.

 

The Origins of Strengths-Based Development

The foundation of CliftonStrengths traces back to the pioneering work of psychologist Don Clifton, whose revolutionary approach to human development began over six decades ago. After serving as a navigator and bombardier in World War II, where he earned recognition for his service including a Distinguished Flying Cross, Clifton returned home with a profound desire to contribute positively to humanity.

His journey into strengths research began at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he made a striking observation while studying psychology literature. The vast majority of psychological research focused on mental illness, dysfunction, and human deficits. This gap in the field sparked Clifton’s groundbreaking question: “What would happen if we studied what was right with people versus what’s wrong with people?”

This simple yet profound inquiry launched what would become the global strengths movement. Clifton’s research represented a fundamental shift from psychology’s traditional focus on pathology to a new emphasis on human potential and excellence. His work complemented existing therapeutic approaches by creating what he called “enabling conditions of life” – frameworks that help people thrive rather than merely survive.

 

Recognition and Impact

Don Clifton’s contributions to psychology earned him significant recognition from the scientific community. In 2003, the American Psychological Association honored him with a Presidential Commendation, acknowledging his role as the “father of strengths-based psychology” and the “grandfather of positive psychology.”

Today, the CliftonStrengths assessment has been completed by over 35 million people worldwide, making it one of the most widely used talent assessment tools in existence. Organisations across all industries use CliftonStrengths to improve employee engagement, build stronger teams, and develop more effective leaders.

How CliftonStrengths Works

The assessment consists of 177 paired statements that measure your natural patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Upon completion, you receive a personalised report highlighting your top talent themes, along with detailed descriptions of how these strengths manifest in your life and work.

The 34 CliftonStrengths themes are organized into four domains:

• Executing: Themes that help you make things happen
• Influencing: Themes that help you take charge and speak up
• Relationship Building: Themes that help you build strong relationships
• Strategic Thinking: Themes that help you absorb and analyse information

Rather than focusing on what you lack, CliftonStrengths empowers you to invest in your greatest talents, leading to more authentic success and satisfaction in both personal and professional endeavours.