By Jodie Puzio, VMA, CAPM, ENV SP
A Book Review on StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath
Value practitioners communicate and work with others on a regular basis. From pre-study to post-study, a value practitioner is utilizing one’s strengths and talents to effectively facilitate the value methodology. The key is to understand one’s strengths in order to make the most out of them. StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath focuses on helping individuals identify and develop their strengths, which leads to a more productive and successful environment for everyone. Value practitioners can benefit from a deeper understanding and development of one’s individual strengths, particularly how one’s talents work with others. This strengths-based approach could provide team leaders with additional tools to facilitate even more effective value studies.
“Gallup research proves that people succeed when they focus on what they do best. When they identify their talents, and develop them into strengths, people are more productive, perform better, and are more engaged. Gallup’s CliftonStrengths assessment is the first step in helping people identify their talents. CliftonStrengths results give people a way to discuss and develop their unique combination of skills, talents, and knowledge — also known as strengths.” (CliftonStrengths Solutions).
StrengthsFinder 2.0 is based on Gallup’s 40-year study of human strengths, which created the language foundation for the 34 most common talents (Rath 2007 i). The results of the assessment yield a personalized in-depth analysis of one’s strengths, which includes his or her top five talent themes each with ten “Ideas for Action” in order to build a strengths-based personal development plan (Rath 2007 iii). What the StrengthsFinder assessment actually measures is talent, not strength (Rath 2007 17). Research shows core personality traits, such as talent, are less likely to change over time (Rath 2007 18). Measuring one’s natural talents identifies the areas for the greatest potential. Investing time into developing one’s talents allows natural talent to serve as a multiplier to an individual’s strength potential.
The assessment is the foundation to beginning to understand one’s strengths and natural talents – what makes an individual stand out. Value practitioners can use this information to further develop themselves and understand how to better play to their strengths when working with others during value studies, thus improving the effectiveness of the study. The 34 most common talents, or strengths, are divided into one of four domains. These domains describe how individuals use their strengths to work with information, make things happen, influence others, and build relationships. Knowing where one’s top five strengths fall is helpful in understanding one’s general strengths. The four domains along with the question the theme of strengths answer are provided below, highlighting the applicability to value practitioners and improved effectiveness for value studies. Also provided are a strength example and an “Idea for Action” in each domain.
Strategic Thinking: How do you absorb, think about, and analyze information and situations?
Strengths in this category may help one make better decisions and create better outcomes. As value practitioners facilitate studies, a lot of information is gathered during the information phase and during the study. One could strengthen their strategic thinking strengths to help guide the team and produce a better outcome, resulting in a more effective value study.
Example Strength and “Idea for Action” – Analytical:
- People who are especially talented in the Analytical theme search for reasons and causes. They have the ability to think about all the factors that might affect a situation.
- “Your mind is constantly working and producing insightful analysis. Are others aware of that? Find the best way of expressing your thoughts. Put value to your thoughts by communicating them.”
Executing: How do you make things happen?
Strengths in this category may help one turn ideas into reality. Value practitioners execute the job plan through the value study. Every study may take turns of its own, and it is up to the team leader to ensure the job plan is fully executed. Value practitioners could hone their executing strengths to ensure and improve the conduct of value studies.
Example Strength and “Idea for Action” – Focus:
- People who are especially talented in the Focus theme can take a direction, follow through, and make the corrections necessary to stay on track. They prioritize, then act.
- “Others will think, act, and talk less efficiently than you do. Pay attention. Sometimes their “detours” will lead to discoveries and delights.”
Influencing: How do you influence others?
Strengths in this category may help one take charge, speak up, and make sure others are heard. Value practitioners communicate and work with others regularly. Influencing skills are essential to team leaders, especially as they often do not have authority. Strengthening influencing could improve a team leader’s value study effectiveness.
Example Strength and “Idea for Action” – Communication:
- People who are especially talented in the Communication theme generally find it easy to put their thoughts into words. They are good conversationalists and presenters.
- “You are gifted in fostering dialogue among peers and colleagues. Use your communication talents to summarize the various points in a meeting and to build consensus by helping others see what they have in common.”
Relationship Building: How do you build and nurture strong relationships?
Strengths in this category may help one hold a team together. From working with various clients to team members on a value study, value practitioners are always building relationships. Further developing one’s relationship building strengths could allow value practitioners to develop stronger relationships during a value study and long after, leading to more effective studies and improved client satisfaction.
Example Strength and “Idea for Action” – Individualization:
- People who are especially talented in the Individualization theme are intrigued with the unique qualities of each person. They have a gift for figuring out how people who are different can work together productively.
- “Make your colleagues and friends aware of each person’s unique needs. Soon people will look to you to explain other people’s motivations and actions.”
As noted previously, the results of the assessment yield a personalized analysis of one’s strengths. Not only will the strengths be noted, but also individual insights of what makes an individual stand out. This allows value practitioners to further understand his or her strengths and capitalize on them. Also included are ten “Ideas for Action” under each of the five strengths for one to consider. This list allows a value practitioner to further develop his or her strengths through actions that can be practiced and applied during value studies.
All 34 strengths and “Ideas for Action” may be referenced in Tom Rath’s StrengthsFinder 2.0, which focuses on helping individuals identify and develop their strengths. The tools presented allow value practitioners to achieve a deeper understanding and development of their individual strengths, particularly in working with others, and can improve the ability of value practitioners to more effectively facilitate the value methodology, leading to improved value studies.
References
CliftonStrengths Solutions, The Gallup Organization, www.gallupstrengthscenter.com/.
Rath, Tom. StrengthsFinder 2.0. The Gallup Organization, 2007.
Print 
PDF