Gallup CliftonStrengths® is an assessment of personality, rooted in the theory of positive psychology. Research indicates that people who know and use their strengths every day are more likely to experience positive emotions (energy, happiness, respect) and less likely to experience negative emotions (stress, worry, anger, sadness). The assessment identifies an individual’s top five “Signature Themes” from a list of 34 common talents. Individuals can then develop those talents into strengths, and apply those strengths in all areas of their life.
Overview of the Belief® Strength
If you believe, you can achieve. That’s not just a chance to show off your rhyming skills, but rather a reflection of your strong core values. You’re dependable to friends, family, and coworkers; they know they can count on you even if you never practice a physical trust fall with them. While money and prestige are nice-to-haves, what’s most important is doing work that matters. Because of that, you may find yourself drifting if your job doesn’t give you the opportunities to practice your values.
Action Items for the Belief® Strength
Choose the right job. Find a company whose mission aligns with your values. You may not see eye-to-eye on every detail – and that’s completely okay. In the grand scheme of things, though, you want your work to matter. If an organization seems to prioritize power or dishonesty, or your coworkers are only coming to the office for a paycheck, it may not be a great fit.
Pick the right partners. You’ll thrive in the right setting, though you’ll also need to understand that others may have different mindsets. To avoid a potential stalemate, pair up with a colleague who has a strong Futuristic® theme. Like the yellow brick road, follow their visionary path to stay true to your values.
Showcase your values outside of work. Your strong Belief® theme doesn’t have to stay in the workplace. Volunteer at a local charity or food kitchen, or take a position on your child’s school board. These positions require an immense amount of trust and dependability, which make them particularly fulfilling for you.
Strategically Ask Questions. This doesn’t mean you need to set up a lie detector test in a dimly lit room to interrogate your manager. But you’re passionate about your work and want it to have an impact on people’s lives. It’s okay to ask about a project and why it’s something you should undertake. Be smart about it, however. Asking “why?” more frequently than a three-year-old could peg you as someone difficult to work with and obstinate.
How to Manage Someone with the Belief® Strength
Those with the Belief® theme are dependable and timely – if they has work they enjoy. If the work doesn’t matter to them, then their efforts will be more forced than the laugh track on a 90s sitcom. To keep your Belief® Employee engaged and leverage their talents, try the following:
Give them a reason why. If Belief® doesn’t understand the larger picture of the work they’re doing, they may become stubborn and uninspired. Flip that script by regularly sharing why their work is valuable. They’ll be more energized and excited, and their output will improve as a result.
Offer opportunities to shine. Your Belief® employee wants to do work that matters in the world– in and outside the office. Encourage your Belief® employee to lead team-building volunteer trips to a local museum, library or animal shelter. They’ll feel valued and understood.
Avoid talking money. People with strong Belief® will bristle at anything that appears to be a breach of their values, including an excessive focus on money or power. While financials are certainly important for any business, don’t dampen their passion with an excessive focus on the company’s bottom line.
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Gallup®, Clifton StrengthsFinder®, StrengthsFinder®, CliftonStrengths® and each of the 34 CliftonStrengths® theme names are trademarks of Gallup, Inc. For more information, or to take the CliftonStrengths® assessment, visit www.gallupstrengthscenter.com.
