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 Maximizer® Strength
People who have been assessed as having the Maximizer® strength by the CliftonStrengths® assessment are all about pursuing excellence. These individuals believe it takes just as much time and effort to achieve excellence as it does to achieve average, so they may as well go full measure.
People who have the Maximizer® talent aren’t interested in self-help or fixing what others view as broken in them. Instead, they would rather focus on the capitalizing on their own strengths and talents. They feel this is a more productive pursuit of their time and it works for them.
As someone with a strong Maximizer® strength, you not only look for and expect excellence in yourself, you look for it in others around you as well. You have no interest in living an ordinary life filled with average accomplishments. You are often described by others as discriminating and you choose to surround yourself, whenever possible, with people who share your values, expectations, and drive.
Action Items for the Maximizer® Strength
If you’re a Maximizer®, you are best suited for roles in which you help others succeed. The following actions will help you find fulfilment and success:
Study people you deem to be successful and learn how their strengths lead them to success, so you can create your own success.
Become the person that helps others succeed.
Focus on your strengths and make them better. Gain new knowledge, refine existing skills. Become a master at your craft.
Devote so much time and attention on becoming the best in your field that any weaknesses you may have are irrelevant.
Ideal careers for people who have the Maximizer® strength include: teachers, coaches, managers, counselors, political strategists, efficiency experts, managers.
You excel in any role that allows you to focus your time, attention, and talent on taking a product, idea, or person from “good” to “great.”
How to Manage Someone with the Maximizer® Strength
Managing someone who has the Maximizer® strength may be a little perplexing unless you also have this strength or one that relates well to it. What you may see as complacency is often an attempt at mastery by someone with the Maximizer® talent. These tips will help you relate better with and manage a Maximizer® with far greater success:
Avoid forcing Maximizers® to play the roles of problem solvers. It will frustrate them and is a waste of their natural talents.
Ask them to investigate practices throughout your organization and industry in search of improvements for your business. Their natural inquisitive natures make them ideal choices for this task and they will be able to help you find masterful means for improvement.
Value them for their strengths and resist the urge to focus your attention on “fixing” their weaknesses. They will become frustrated, and possibly even resentful, if you focus too much time and attention on things they view as negative and irrelevant.
Requests that they propose programs for measuring the productivity of employees and defining excellence for various roles within the company. It’s a good use of their time and one they will enjoy focusing their attention on.
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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.
