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 Discipline® Strength
Let’s be honest: life is messy. Not everything is wrapped up in a neat little bow, and unlike television shows, we can’t solve everything in 22 minutes. But it’s a lot easier to handle life when there’s structure, and that’s where you thrive. Being strong in the Discipline® theme, you’re all about developing routines that ensure you’re accomplishing your goals. You’re incredibly organized and efficient, though you may sometimes disapprove of the way others operate.
Action Items for the Discipline® Strength
Choose the right job. “Here’s a blank page. Go wild.” This might work for some people, but without any semblance of structure, you won’t perform at your best. Seek out a career that offers formed, well-thought-out work opportunities and rewards paying attention to detail. Your strong Discipline® talent will shine most in these situations.
Pick the right partners. Your ability to stay focused over extended periods is beneficial for long-term projects. Partner with someone who’s similarly forward-thinking, like a person with a potent Futuristic® theme, to maximize your efforts. Together, you can tackle long-term projects and develop a set of processes that will drive success for your entire team.
Develop routines both in and out of the office. Your brightest spot lies within an orderly environment. Even if others are unpredictable in how they work, you can create a schedule to follow. Perhaps you check email at the same four times every day, or you review a report right after lunch on Thursday afternoons. Take that discipline outside of the office, too. Build in time to read, practice a hobby, or address to-do list items and you’ll thrive from the better balance.
Don’t let mistakes get you down. With your attention to detail and impeccable organizational skills, coworkers may label you a perfectionist. Be careful not to lash out at others who make mistakes– even when these mistakes irritate you to no end. Instead, choose a constructive response, like providing process guidance that will correct the issue for next time.
How to Manage Someone with the Discipline® Strength
Picture a courtroom where everyone is yelling, trying to be heard over one another. It’s a madhouse! Then the judge bangs a gavel and shouts, “order, order!” That’s your employee with the Discipline® talent, bringing structure and guidance to an otherwise chaotic environment. They’ll get their work done well – and often ahead of schedule – if you provide the right opportunities for them. Consider these three tips:
Count on them for long-term projects. Some projects need to be done ASAP while others can last weeks or even months. An employee that’s strong in the Discipline® theme will do exceptionally well with long-term assignments. She can ensure the project stays on track and gets done, as long as you give her enough notice on the deadlines.
Seek their advice on structuring repeatable processes. Do you find yourself approaching a repeatable task – such as a monthly report or weekly agenda – a different way each time? If no routine is in place, call on Discipline® to provide order. They can help you create a structured set of processes.
Limit Surprises. Discipline® appreciates schedules, deadlines, and regular check-ins, but they hate surprises. Throw a wrench in a project and they’ll be frustrated but push on; throw too many and you risk causing them to disengage entirely. If you must change a project’s focus or timeline, strive to provide enough advance notice so they can still work to get everything done ahead of schedule.
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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.
