Posted by Kayla Brown on Apr 17, 2023
Gallup StrengthsFinder 101: The #1 Bestselling Business Book Explained
“Do you have the opportunity to do what you do best every day?”
This question, posed by Gallup’s StrengthsFinder 2.0, remains as compelling today as it was when the book first became a bestseller. As the #1 bestselling business book of all time, StrengthsFinder 2.0 continues to be a crucial tool for personal development and team success.
Knowing yourself, and especially your Gallup strengths, is crucial in your personal development because progress begins with self-awareness. You’re probably well aware of your weaknesses, but Gallup would argue that working and enhancing what you are great at is what makes the difference.
Since this book is a favorite among our clients, we wanted to take a refreshed look at this book and dive deeper into the value it brings and explore new ways your business can use it to transform your teams. See for yourself why StrengthsFinder is the #1 bestselling business book of all time!
Who is Gallup?
Gallup, the brains behind StrengthsFinder 2.0, has continued to be a beacon of insight in the business world. With over 80 years of data collection across 160 countries and from 35 million people, Gallup’s expertise in employee growth and development is unmatched.
Gallup is a global analytics and advice firm dedicated to employee growth and development. Their ongoing research and publications, including more than 30 books, reinforce the importance of focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses. In the current landscape, Gallup’s focus on strengths is more critical than ever. As workplaces become more complex and diverse, the need for employees to hone their natural talents is essential.
What is StrengthsFinder 2.0 and CliftonStrengths?
Designed for individuals, teams, managers, and leaders, StrengthsFinder 2.0 helps you identify and leverage your natural talents in your daily work. This is not just about knowing what you’re good at-it’s about using that knowledge to excel in your career and personal life. Through Gallup research and engaging storytelling, you can learn just that.
Each copy of Strengthsfinder 2.0 comes with an access code to take the CliftonStrengths assessment, a series of questions used to identify your top five strengths and unique skill set. These strengths give you deep insight into how you work best, how you can contribute to a team, and how to align your goals with your natural abilities.
Over 90% of Fortune 500 companies use CliftonStrengths and over 33 million people have taken the CliftonStrengths assessment. Now, it’s your turn!
How does CliftonStrengths work?
The CliftonStrengths test breaks down 34 strengths into 4 domains of leadership: executing, influencing, relationship building, and strategic thinking. Everyone is different and everyone matters!
Executing Domain:
When it comes to getting things done, the executing domain is where the magic happens. Individuals with strengths in this domain are the backbone of any team, as they have a natural ability to make things happen. They’re the ones who take ideas and transform them into actionable plans, ensuring that goals are met and projects completed. They are the doers, the planners, and the implementers.
These individuals have strengths in the following: Achiever, Arranger, Belief, Consistency, Deliberative, Discipline, Focus, Responsibility, and Restorative.
Influencing Domain:
The influencing domain is all about having an impact. Individuals with strengths in this domain know how to take charge, speak up, and make sure that ideas and those of their team are heard and considered. In a team, those with influencing strengths are often the voices that ensure the team’s goals and accomplishments are recognized. They are the motivators who can persuade others to take action and the leaders who can guide the teams toward success.
These individuals have strengths in the following: Activator, Command, Communication, Competition, Maximizer, Self-Assurance, Significance, and Woo.
Relationship Building Domain:
Teams are more than just a collection of individuals-they are dynamic entities where relationships matter. The relationship building domain encompasses those strengths that help build and maintain strong, cohesive teams. Individuals with these strengths excel at connecting with others, fostering collaboration, and creating a sense of unity. In a team setting, they are the glue that holds the group together. They create a supportive environment where team members feel valued, understood, and motivated to collaborate.
These individuals have strengths in the following: Adaptability, Connectedness, Developer, Empathy, Harmony, Includer, Individualization, Positivity, and Relator.
Strategic Thinking Domain:
Vision, innovation, and analysis are the hallmarks of the strategic thinking domain. They are the thinkers and strategists who guide the team’s direction and ensure that decisions are informed and forward-looking. Consider them the architects of the future. They bring clarity to complex situations, generate innovative ideas, and help the team navigate challenges with a clear vision and strategic plan.
These individuals have strengths in the following: Analytical, Context, Futuristic, Ideation, Input, Intellection, Learner, and Strategic.
Why does this matter for my team and organization?
To maximize team performance, it’s essential to have a balance of strengths across all four domains. Knowing where you fit can help strengthen your team and lead to better performance, while knowing where your colleagues lie is important in learning who to turn to for specific tasks and solutions.
Gallup’s data shows that providing strengths-based development for your employees results in up to 23% higher engagement, up to 18% increased performance, and up to 73% lower attrition. These numbers highlight the profound impact that strengths-based development can have on team dynamics and overall business success.
The conclusion: CliftonStrengths helps your team work better together and makes managing a team easier.
Ready to help your team achieve greatness? Order StrengthsFinder 2.0 from BookPal for discounted wholesale pricing starting at 5 copies minimum or explore more Gallup titles, including CliftonStrengths for Students. BookPal also offers individual fulfillment so you can ship your books to individual recipients working remotely! Connect with us for a quote or ask one of our book experts for title recommendations.