The Gallup Strengths Assessment, also referred to as the CliftonStrengths Assessment, is a test utilized by various organizations to better get to know their teams on a deeper level. The goal is to create an atmosphere allowing their people to work better together. By discovering our strengths, we are more able to develop them, for professional and personal growth. Utilizing an individual's unique gifts can make teams and organizations significantly more effective.

When we think about goals, it can be difficult to know the most efficient way to pursue them. Whether we are seeking to live out our faith more impactfully, to set examples for those around us, or to increase our professional effectiveness. Learning more about our own strengths is one of the best ways to achieve our goals. By better leveraging our skills with the strengths of those around us, we can accomplish more at a higher degree of quality.

Below, we will explore what to expect from the strengths assessment test, a list of Gallup strengths, and how we can utilize the results to improve our personal and professional lives. Each of us has been created unique, with our own set of strengths and weaknesses: Psalm 139:14 - I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Assessments, like the Gallup Strengths Finder, can help us better understand our own unique gifting.

Finding Strengths Within the Gallup Strengths Assessment

The Gallup Strengths Assessment, or CliftonStrengths, can be taken online. Many organizations utilize this tool for their new members, interns, or students. Once the test has been completed, an individual is given a report, providing a ranked list, between five and thirty one strengths that best describe them.

Some teams or workplaces put strengths at the forefront of their staffing strategy, in order to work successfully and give team members tasks that suit them best.

Here is a summary of how the Gallup assessment works:

1. Take the Test

The assessment typically takes one hour, with 177 paired statements. The user selects which statement best describes them. The test is a straightforward process that encourages the individual to react quickly and trust their initial instincts. This will provide a more honest assessment and provide more accurate results.

2. Receive Results

Once the assessment has been completed, individuals will receive their personalized results within minutes. This customized report and strengths guide aim to provide participants with "aha" moments as they learn more about themselves. The assessment may allow individuals to see themselves in new ways, to better understand why they operate the way they do.

3. Learn and Discuss

After the assessment has been completed, it's important to discuss the results with a certified strengths coach or assessor. These trainers will provide important context and explanations to help the individual “unpack” their personalized strength inventory. By talking through areas of strength to focus on, and areas of weakness to minimize, the individual and their coach will create an action plan to help maximize the individual's primary strengths.

4. Apply Strengths

The last step is up to the individuals themselves. The strengths report will only ever be as good as the work it creates for the individual.A dedicated, consistent action plan will continue to provide growth opportunities both personal and professional.

What Are the 34 Gallup Strengths?

The 34 strengths are broken down into four categories: strategic thinking, relationship building, influencing, and executing. People may have strengths from each category, or several from only one or two. The Gallup strengths definitions are designed to help us understand a summary of each strength before learning more about them in-depth.

The list below includes all 34 strengths, broken down into four domains:

Strategic Thinking

Those with strategic thinking themes have a knack for seeing what could be. Whenever a team needs to focus on the future, they should rely on their strategic thinkers. This theme answers the question: "How do we absorb, think about, and analyze information and situations?" God has perfect strategic foresight, which we can strive to have, too. Jeremiah 29:10 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

• Analytical
• Context
• Futuristic
• Ideation
• Input
• Intellection
• Learner
• Strategic

Relationship-Building

Those with relationship-building strengths play a vital role in building a solid team. They know how to keep a group together and ensure everyone gets along. This domain answers the question: "How do we build and nurture strong relationships?" Proverbs 18:24 reminds us, "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Creating solid relationships is crucial.

• Adaptability
• Connectedness
• Developer
• Empathy
• Harmony
• Includer
• Individualization
• Positivity
• Relator

Influencing

Anyone with an influencing personality can be utilized to sell ideas or convince others of a new concept. When a team includes those with influencing strength, they can help take charge and speak up when necessary. The influencing theme quite simply answers the question: "How do we influence others?" The Bible reminds us how important our influence is. Acts 20:28 says, “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”

• Activator
• Command
• Communication
• Competition
• Maximizer
• Self-Assurance
• Significance
• Woo

Executing

The final domain, executing, relates to putting words into action and turning ideas into reality. Team members with executing strengths are always working tirelessly to meet a goal. This domain answers the question: "How do we make things happen?" We have to remember that everything we do should be in the name of God, as we are told in Matthew 6:33. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

• Achiever
• Arranger
• Belief
• Consistency
• Deliberative
• Discipline
• Focus
• Responsibility
• Restorative

How Accurate Is the Gallup Strengths Assessment?

Organizations that invest in the Gallup Strengths Finder want to ensure that it accurately portrays the strengths of their team members. The CliftonStrengths Assessment is a psychometric assessment, meaning the test is designed as a scientific tool to measure cognitive formation and function. Because of this, it offers incredibly accurate results. The method has been shown to be effective across thousands of organizations and hundreds of thousands of individuals.

The Gallup Strengths Assessment is known for identifying a person's talents. These talents, when utilized correctly, can point an individual to their greatest potential. This is crucial for those who want to be leaders, whether on a sports team, in a professional setting, or within a church group. Knowing how a person operates can help them decide how to lead and influence others positively. Additionally, living out your faith may be more effective when you know which of your strengths will help you lead more effectively.

Learning About Ourselves Through Our Strengths

“There is no one more powerful than the person that knows themself”. This is especially true in the world of Christ-centered leadership. An individual who knows their talents and strengths can serve others, and the Kingdom, better. As leaders, they will be able to identify their team members’ strengths and weaknesses, creating healthier, more effective groups.

Any leader that knows their team members well, whether they're coworkers or teammates, will have a better chance at finding success, delegating tasks and opportunities based on everyone's strengths and interests.

Utilizing Our Strengths in the Future

The Gallup Strengths Finder list can be an excellent tool for organizations and individuals to utilize. Discovering where a person is naturally gifted can help further develop their talents, creating strengths that will help serve the greater good. When individuals use Gallup strengths-based leadership, they can be successful because they're harnessing their best assets.

The same goes for Christ-centered leaders. By seeing the good in ourselves and others, we can build strong bonds that lead to fruitful partnerships. Apply for a scholarship today to start fostering personal, spiritual, and professional development.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10.