Understanding Your Top 5 Strengths Through Domains

You have taken your assessment. You have your results. But now what? I’m going to share some of my secrets to understanding your Top 5 Strengths through the 4 Domains.

Let’s talk about understanding your Top 5 Strengths through Gallup’s 4 Domains of Leadership.

The CliftonStrengths Assessment is unique because it identifies your Top 5 Strengths using a 177-question assessment. Each question helps get a deeper understanding of what you do best and the unique ways that you do it. The odds of someone else getting the same Top 5 Strengths in the same order as you is 1 in 33 million.

I’m going to let you in on a secret about how I do my work.

As a Strengths Coach, there are two things I will look at when I get a report.

1. The Top 5 Strengths

2. The Leading Domains

You probably know all about your Strengths, but your top leadership domains are the secret to understanding your tendencies and where you find ease.

The Four Domains of Leadership Are…

1. Executing

2. Relationship Building

3. Strategic Thinking

4. Influencing

Every team needs a diversity of talents. Domains are another way to understand the uniqueness of each team member and how you can leverage their Top Strengths.

Let’s learn about each leadership domain.

Executing

Each team has a goal. Something they are working towards. They need a solution and a process to support reaching their goals. High-performing teams rely on someone who leads with Executing themes to make work happen.

I cherish my teammates, friends, and clients who lead with executing themes. They are people are partner with when I have a big project. Executing strengths are the little engine that could keep going (even when I get tired).

Nine strengths fall in the Executing domain. Below are all nine with their Gallup Definitions. If a teammate lacks a strength in the Executing Domain, it does not mean they will never finish a project. Instead, they use their strengths in creative ways to complete projects and tasks.

• Achiever - People exceptionally talented in the Achiever theme work hard and possess a great deal of stamina. They take immense satisfaction in being busy and productive

• Arranger - People exceptionally talented in the Arranger theme can organize, but they also have a flexibility that complements this ability. They like to determine how all of the pieces and resources can be arranged for maximum productivity.

• Belief - People exceptionally talented in the Belief theme have certain core values that are unchanging. Out of these values emerges a defined purpose for their lives.

• Consistency - People exceptionally talented in the Consistency theme are keenly aware of the need to treat people the same. They crave stable routines and clear rules and procedures that everyone can follow.

• Deliberative - People exceptionally talented in the Deliberative theme are best described by their serious care in making decisions or choices. They anticipate obstacles.

• Discipline - People exceptionally talented in the Discipline theme enjoy routine and structure. Their world is best described by the order they create.

• Focus - People exceptionally talented in the Focus theme can take a direction, follow through and make the corrections necessary to stay on track. They prioritize, then act.

• Responsibility - People exceptionally talented in the Responsibility theme take psychological ownership of what they say they will do. They are committed to stable values such as honesty and loyalty

• Restorative - People exceptionally talented in the Restorative theme are adept at dealing with problems. They are good at figuring out what is wrong and resolving it.

Relationship Building

Each team is a collection of individuals with unique strengths. Teams need someone who can bring people together and help them. Close-knit teams are greater than the sum of their parts.

My leaders who excel in relationship building always help me feel like I am in the right place. I feel accepted for who I am and what I bring to a team. Relationship Building might be referred to as a “soft skill,” and they are necessary for a team to be successful.

Below are the nine strengths that fall into the relationship-building theme. Make no mistake, if someone lacks a relationship-building theme in their top five, it does not mean they cannot form meaningful relationships. They use their strengths in unique ways to bring people together.

• Adaptability - People exceptionally talented in the Adaptability theme prefer to go with the flow. They tend to be “now” people who take things as they come and discover the future one day at a time.

• Connectedness - People exceptionally talented in the Connectedness theme have faith in the links among all things. They believe there are few coincidences and that almost every event has meaning.

• Developer - People exceptionally talented in the Developer theme recognize and cultivate the potential in others. They spot the signs of each small improvement and derive satisfaction from the evidence of progress.

• Empathy - People exceptionally talented in the Empathy theme can sense other people’s feelings by imagining themselves in others’ lives or situations.

• Harmony - People exceptionally talented in the Harmony theme look for consensus. They don’t enjoy conflict; rather, they seek areas of agreement.

• Includer - People exceptionally talented in the Includer theme accept others. They show awareness of those who feel left out and make an effort to include them.

• Individualization - People exceptionally talented in the Individualization theme are intrigued by the unique qualities of each person. They have a gift for figuring out how different people can work together productively.

• Positivity - People exceptionally talented in the Positivity theme have contagious enthusiasm. They are upbeat and can get others excited about what they are going to do.

• Relator - People exceptionally talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal.

Strategic Thinking

High-performing teams need someone who can gather information and make sense of what it means. Strategic thinkers may be thinking of “what could be,” including "what could this mean.” With strategic thinking, we can make better decisions for tomorrow.

I love having a Strategic Thinker on my team because they can forecast the future better than I could. They analyze data and take a different perspective so their team can see future success.

Eight strengths fall into the Strategic Thinking, and I have shared them below along with their Gallup definitions. I want to make sure you know something. Just because someone does not have a top strength in the strategic thinking category, it does not mean they don’t think. They have a unique strategy for analyzing information to help them see success for tomorrow.

• Analytical - People exceptionally talented in the Analytical theme search for reasons and causes. They can think about all of the factors that might affect a situation

• Context - People exceptionally talented in the Context theme enjoy thinking about the past. They understand the present by researching its history

• Futuristic - People exceptionally talented in the Futuristic theme are inspired by the future and what could be. They energize others with their visions of the future

• Ideation - People exceptionally talented in the Ideation theme are fascinated by ideas. They are able to find connections between seemingly disparate phenomena

• Input - People exceptionally talented in the Input theme have a need to collect and archive. They may accumulate information, ideas, artifacts or even relationships.

• Intellection - People exceptionally talented in the Intellection theme are characterized by their intellectual activity. They are introspective and appreciate intellectual discussions.

• Learner - People exceptionally talented in the Learner theme have a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve. The process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites them.

• Strategic - People exceptionally talented in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.

Influencing

High-performing teams rely on people with strong Influencing themes because they take charge, speak up and make sure others are heard. These themes are often centered around influencing others but can also be used to influence the work that you do.

I love working with leaders high in Influencing because they can pull a team together and unite them. Whether it is a short term project or connecting to organizational mission, they can get people to buy in at critical moments for success.

Eight Strengths fall in the Influencing category. I wanted to include some Gallup definitions so you can start to see trends. Something to note, the Influencing themes are actually the least common. That said, if you do not have an Influencing Theme in your Top 5, that is okay. You find different ways to get people to buy into the work you are doing, a movement that you are a part of, or a way of living. You have your own unique strategy to influence others.

• Activator - People exceptionally talented in the Activator theme can make things happen by turning thoughts into action. They want to do things now, rather than simply talk about them.

• Command - People exceptionally talented in the Command theme have a presence. They can take control of a situation and make decisions.

• Communication - People exceptionally talented in Communication generally find it easy to put their thoughts into words. They are good conversationalists and presenters.

• Competition - People exceptionally talented in the Competition theme measure their progress against the performance of others. They strive to win first place and revel in contests.

• Maximizer - People exceptionally talented in the Maximizer theme focus on strengths as a way to stimulate personal and group excellence. They seek to transform something strong into something superb.

• Self-Assurance - People exceptionally talented in the Self-Assurance theme feel confident in their ability to take risks and manage their own lives. They have an inner compass that gives them certainty in their decisions.

• Significance - People exceptionally talented in the Significance theme want to make a big impact. They are independent and prioritize projects based on how much influence they will have on their organization or the people around them.

• Woo - People exceptionally talented in the Woo theme love the challenge of meeting new people and winning them over. They derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection with someone.

So now what?

1. Take a look at your Strengths.

2. Note your dominant domains.

3. Reflect on this and how it influences and impacts your leadership style.

When you are ready to integrate CliftonStrengths into your Organizational Culture Management Strategy, follow up with me to have a consultation call. Let’s collaborate and help your team engage in their life and work.

In Strength & WellBeing,
Kyle Johann-Baker

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