StrengthsFinder 2.0: My top 5 strengths (or talents)

I took the StrengthsFinder 2.0 test a few years ago and recently revisited my results.

Written by Tom Rath based on Gallup’s 40-year study of human strengths, StrengthFinders 2.0 subscribes to the maxim: “You cannot be everything you want to be – but you can be a lot more of who you already are.”

The central theme of StrengthFinders is that we’re better off focusing on and developing our strengths rather than focusing on our weaknesses.

Through a series of questions, the test ranked me against 34 common talent themes, which the author describes as “a natural way of thinking, feeling or behaving.” My strengths can then measured by my investment (e.g. time spent practicing, learning and developing skills) in my talents.

The StrengthsFinder equation looks like this:

Looking at the equation, you can see that if you invest a specific amount of time in an area where you have a big talent score (e.g. Strategy) versus the exact same amount of time in an area where you have a small talent score (e.g. Competition), you’ll develop a much bigger strength in the former as compared to the latter.

My Top 5 Talent Themes:

1. Strategic: People who are especially talented in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.
2. Achiever: People who are especially talented in the Achiever theme have a great deal of stamina and
   work hard. They take great satisfaction from being busy and productive.
3. Learner: People who are especially talented in the Learner theme have a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve. In particular, the process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites them.
4. Responsibility: People who are especially 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.
5. Relator: People who are especially talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal.

Do I believe that these are my strong talents?

Yep, I think so. The descriptions seem to fit. However, I need to do some further reading and research to understand how to best make use of of my talents and apply to my every day activities.

If you’re curious about your own talents, visit the Gallup Strengths Center.

David