What Is the CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder) Model?
CliftonStrengths, once known as StrengthsFinder, is a science-based talent assessment developed by Gallup that identifies your top talents from 34 researched themes. After taking a structured online questionnaire, you receive a personalized report that ranks your Signature Themes, which are your strongest, most natural patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Used by individuals, teams, and organizations in over 30 million assessments worldwide (Gallup, 2023), the tool has become a global lens for understanding and applying natural strengths.
History & Origins
The origins of CliftonStrengths reach back to the 1960s, where Don Clifton, often called the “father of strengths-based psychology,” challenged the deficit-focused models dominant in his era. Instead of “What’s wrong with people?” he insisted we ask, “What’s right with people?” His approach became the foundation for decades of positive psychology.
Clifton partnered with Gallup to create the original StrengthsFinder assessment, launching it in 2001 alongside research validating its structure and predictive power. In 2007, the widely used 2.0 update integrated improved science and digital reporting. Today, evidence continues to show that strengths-based inquiry correlates with higher engagement, improved performance, and enhanced wellbeing in both individuals and organizations (Hodges & Clifton, 2004; Asplund et al., 2012).
The 34 CliftonStrengths Themes at a Glance
CliftonStrengths arranges the 34 themes into four shared domains: Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building, and Strategic Thinking. Here’s a snapshot of each theme and what it signals:
Executing- Achiever: Persistent and driven to accomplish.
- Arranger: Orchestrates resources for productivity.
- Belief: Anchored by core values.
- Consistency: Seeks fairness and uniformity.
- Deliberative: Carefully assesses risk before moving.
- Discipline: Brings structure and order.
- Focus: Sets and follows clear goals.
- Responsibility: Takes psychological ownership.
- Restorative: Solves problems, restores order.
- Activator: Turns thoughts into action.
- Command: Instills presence and decisiveness.
- Communication: Connects through words and stories.
- Competition: Strives to win.
- Maximizer: Polishes strengths to excellence.
- Self-Assurance: Confident in individual judgment.
- Significance: Seeks impactful contribution.
- Woo (Winning Others Over): Thrives on new connections.
- Adaptability: Flexes smoothly with change.
- Connectedness: Sees interdependence in everything.
- Developer: Encourages others’ growth.
- Empathy: Senses and shares others’ emotions.
- Harmony: Seeks consensus and balance.
- Includer: Welcomes diverse perspectives.
- Individualization: Notices uniqueness in others.
- Positivity: Exudes optimism and encouragement.
- Relator: Values deep, authentic bonds.
- Analytical: Gathers and evaluates data.
- Context: Understands through past patterns.
- Futuristic: Imagines what could be.
- Ideation: Generates creative alternatives.
- Input: Collects and archives information.
- Intellection: Enjoys thoughtful discussion.
- Learner: Thrives on learning and growth.
- Strategic: Spots paths forward amid complexity.
Consider this: According to Gallup, leaders with strong Strategic and Relator themes see up to 12% higher team engagement and 8% higher productivity than those lower in these strengths (Gallup, 2019; Clifton et al., 2021).
Strengths & Pitfalls of CliftonStrengths
Strengths- Increases workplace engagement: Gallup found teams using a strengths-based approach see up to 23% higher employee engagement (Rath & Conchie, 2009).
- Enhances performance: Employees focusing on strengths are 7.8% more productive (Sorensen, 2014).
- Encourages self-awareness: Signature Themes provide a clear language for understanding what energizes and drains you.
- Fosters team appreciation: Teams share their strengths, encouraging mutual respect and collaborative design.
- Builds resilient identity: Focusing on what works cultivates emotional resources for adversity.
- Tunnel vision: Overidentifying with top themes may overlook growth edges or untapped potential.
- Limited versatility: Overuse of strong areas risks neglecting needed skill growth in weaker themes.
- Risk of “labeling”: Misapplying the model can create boxes that ignore contextual nuance.
Cross-Domain Parallels (“Integration Map”)
- Big Five: The Strategic theme mirrors Openness to Experience, a preference for ideas and possibilities.
- Enneagram: Achiever (CliftonStrengths) aligns with Enneagram Type 3, driven and focused on accomplishment.
- VIA Character Strengths: Relator connects with Kindness, emphasizing deep, supportive relationships.
- Zodiac/Mythic Archetype: Command resembles the Warrior, decisive, action-oriented, and courageous.
- Shadow Theme: Maximizer’s desire for excellence may tip into perfectionism, an area for mindful integration.
Seeing these models side-by-side highlights your talents from complementary angles, opening doors for holistic growth.
CliftonStrengths in Lifemap’s 12 Life Categories
Career- Insight: Signature Themes can point to ideal roles and tasks.
- Reflection: Where do your strengths show up most at work, and where are they most overlooked?
- Insight: Relationship-building strengths help you connect and empathize with friends and partners.
- Coaching prompt: How might you use Individualization or Empathy to resolve a current relational challenge?
- Insight: Your natural talents shape your family roles and patterns.
- Coaching prompt: Which theme is most visible in your family interactions? How does it serve, or hinder, harmony?
- Insight: Positivity, Adaptability, and Self-Assurance nourish emotional wellbeing.
- Reflection: When under stress, do you lean on your strengths, or do they sometimes fuel your stress?
- Insight: Themes like Connectedness and Belief anchor values and purpose.
- Coaching prompt: How do your core strengths inform your sense of meaning or higher calling?
- Insight: Achiever and Discipline can be harnessed to form lasting health habits.
- Coaching prompt: What would it look like to architect your wellbeing around your top strengths?
- Insight: Strengths influence your routines and environment.
- Reflection: Which of your Signature Themes could help create more satisfying daily rhythms?
- Insight: Focus and Responsibility often support sound financial decisions.
- Coaching prompt: How do your strengths guide, or derail, your money management?
- Insight: Includer and Developer encourage inclusive, engaged communities.
- Reflection: Where could you contribute more intentionally with your talents?
- Insight: Ideation and Input fuel creative problem-solving.
- Coaching prompt: How might you structure time to channel those strengths into new projects?
- Insight: Learner and Analytical drive curiosity and deep study.
- Reflection: Which strength most influences your
