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 Restorative® Strength
You may as well be a math book, because the more problems you solve, the better. It doesn’t matter whether these problems are in your personal or professional life– what matters is you’re able to identify what’s wrong and find a constructive solution. Sometimes you get a thrill out of encountering a challenge similar to one you’ve solved before because you know how quickly you can apply your past knowledge to fix the problem. Other times, you crave a new beast. You’re not great at “just listening”– without taking any concrete action to address the problem, you feel useless and can become frustrated or disengaged. What’s the point of talking about a problem if you’re not providing a solution?
Action Items for the Restorative® Strength
Choose the right job. You’ll be most fulfilled with a career that allows you to solve problems. Whether that’s a customer-facing job or more of an analytical role is up to you, but getting to overcome challenges is key to achieving professional satisfaction. Look for opportunities where you’ll have the autonomy to harness your full potential.
Pick the right partners. Solving a problem is exhilarating, but what if the solution is only good, not great? If you ever find yourself getting stuck, a little extra push can help you achieve excellence. Partner with someone strong in the Maximizer® theme to take your ideas one step further.
Don’t overextend your reach. You’re great at solving problems – your own problems. Be wary of jumping in too quickly to help others, however. They need an opportunity to learn from their work and their mistakes. Be present in case they need advice, but give them the first crack at things before offering your two cents.
Get involved in the community. The world may not be all sunshine and roses, but with your terrific problem-solving skills, you can help make the outlook a little brighter. Look for opportunities to volunteer in your community or raise money for a nonprofit or other worthy cause. Talk to your company’s HR department about coordinating a recurring, company-wide volunteer day.
How to Manage Someone with the Restorative® Strength
People strong in the Restorative® theme crave problem-solving opportunities. Whether you’ve got a minor problem or a major issue, they’ll be happy to offer their assistance. Don’t be afraid to rely on them, particularly with situations that need immediate resolutions. While others may panic in “quick fix” situations, they’ll remain as calm as a cucumber. To further maximize their abilities, keep the following in mind:
Let them work with top customers or clients. Want to impress your biggest clients and customers with speedy solutions? Pair your Restorative® employee with those folks and give them the autonomy to figure things out. They won’t be satisfied until they’ve solved every client or customer problem.
Seek their advice on internal company issues. People with high Restorative® talent take immense pride in solving problems, including those on the home front. If there’s trouble bubbling up in the organization, seek his input. Whether it’s a question about processes during a project or fixing a structural challenge, they’ll approach the issue with gusto.
Offer to help and celebrate accomplishments. When a Restorative® employee runs into an especially tough challenge they can’t solve, they may begin to question their self-worth and organizational value. Offer guidance to help them reach the finish line, and then celebrate your accomplishments together. They’ll appreciate the resolution and praise.
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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.
