Soft Skills? Understanding CliftonStrengths as a Research-Based Tool

By Tim Simon

About 15 years ago, I taught a strengths class to a group of skeptical managers. One manager particularly despised being in the “fluffy strengths class.” Over the next two days, he repeatedly hummed the words to a 1975 song titled, “Feelings.” The opening line? “Feelings, nothing more than feelings.” It was difficult for him to accept the science and the practicality of CliftonStrengths.

Confidence -- An Inner Certainty and Willingness to Stand Out -- StrengthsExplorer

Children especially talented in the Confidence theme trust their own chances for success. They believe in themselves and their abilities. They take on challenges others may shy away from. You can spot this theme in action when you notice kids who speak up for themselves, and, at times, speak up for others. Their lack of fear when it comes to standing out sets this talent theme apart from others. 

Be Yourself: Establishing Credibility, Compassion and Authenticity With Your Coaching Clients -- Gallup Called to Coach: Cathy DeWeese (S7E7)

On a recent Called to Coach, we spoke with "the Coaches' Coach" Cathy DeWeese, Senior Gallup Workplace Consultant about making your strengths coaching strengths-based. Cathy partners with external Gallup clients on the role of talent in attracting and hiring the very best. She also partners with people at Gallup, serving as a coach and mentor to Gallup coaches. 

The Importance of Managers for Learning & Development -- Gallup Called to Coach: Dean Jones (S7E6)

On a recent Called to Coach, we spoke with the Principal Architect of Gallup's Global Client Learning Strategy, Dean Jones, about employee learning and development, its centrality to the employee's experience and expectations, and the integral role the manager plays in an employee's learning and development. 

A Comparison of CliftonStrengths and Insights Discovery

By Mary Claire Evans and Adam Hickman

Coaches today face a variety of assessment choices, all claiming to result in understanding and creating transformative discussions about personality traits. In this blog, we delve into the history, as well as the similarities and differences, of two widely used assessment tools -- Insights Discovery and the CliftonStrengths assessment.

Competing -- Life Is a Game Worth Winning -- StrengthsExplorer

For children exceptionally talented in the theme of Competing, life is a game. They feel great joy when they win and profound sadness when they lose. They’re always striving for first place. A hugely motivational theme, this talent describes children who are awakened by the desire to win. It leads them to tackle challenges others may shy away from. It inspires them and can even influence and inspire others.

Caring -- Extraordinary Altruism -- StrengthsExplorer

The Caring theme describes children who are driven and defined by their connection to other people. You’ll notice children especially talented in this theme want to make the world a better place by helping individuals in small or big ways. They feel good when reaching out. To them, helping people is very important.

The Ripple Effect: Maximizing the Benefits of Your Coaching for Others (CliftonStrengths Community Update) -- Gallup Called to Coach (S7E5)

On a recent Called to Coach, we spoke with Maika Leibbrandt, Gallup Senior Workplace Consultant and Theme Thursday host, about timely updates for the coaching community, including developing your own strengths "one-pager"; and barriers to becoming a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and how to overcome them; accessing all 34 of your CliftonStrengths; and the June 3-5 CliftonStrengths Summit.  

Knowing the Cards You've Been Dealt: Leveraging Your Entrepreneurial Talents -- Gallup Called to Coach BP10: Dominique Bock (S7E4)

On a recent Called to Coach, we spoke with Dominique Bock, a longtime entrepreneur and Gallup Certified Strengths Coach from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, as part of Gallup’s BP10 quarterly update. Dominique believes that what gets measured improves, and what gets measured and reported improves dramatically. 

Get the Right Person to Read Your Email, Using Strengths

by Mel Kepler

Emails are probably the most common form of writing we do in our adult lives, and yet there’s almost no formal training for it. You can take a class or hire a tutor in order to write academic papers, fiction, grants … but for the “simple” email, you just have to figure it out yourself. Thankfully, strengths can help.