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 Woo® Strength
British author, Tom Chatfield, once wrote: “The best teachers, one hopes, don’t shout at their students – because they are skilled at wooing as well as demanding the best efforts of others.” People who have the Woo® strength according to the CliftonStrengths® assessment are skilled at winning others over.
We are all energized by different things. People gifted with the Woo® strength are energized by meeting new people and having the opportunity to build rapport with every new person they meet. They have a talent for striking up a conversation, they remember the names of new people, and are never shy or intimidated.
They don’t need icebreakers or elevator pitches. They read people well and find common ground quickly even in situations other people find awkward. They live by the adage that there are no such things as strangers – only friends they haven’t yet met.
Action Items for the Woo® Strength
People who have the Woo® strength rarely struggle fitting in. That doesn’t mean that all work situations and career prospects are right for them.
If you are a Wooer®, keep these things in mind as you make career and life choices:
Choose jobs that allow you to interact with numerous people in the course of a day.
Build a strong network of friends you check on at least once a month if not more frequently. Make time to tend to your network.
Join organizations in the community, serve on boards, volunteer, etc.
Find your way into the social circles of influential people in your community.
Consider running for office, with the understanding that you may enjoy the process of campaigning far better than that of being in office.
Make it your mission to help people who are more reserved feel at ease in social settings.
Use your talent for putting people at ease and getting them to like you to make things happen in the office and in your community.
Ideal careers for people who have the Woo® talent include: Sales, Public relations, Politics, Journalism, Media, Public speaking, Teaching, Coaching, Entrepreneurship.
These are the types of careers that have you constantly meeting and reaching out to new people and they are the types of careers that allow you to shine.
How to Manage Someone with the Woo® Strength
Wooers® are outstanding to have on your team if you work in an industry where you need people skilled at winning people over on your team.
Use them wisely while keeping the following management tips in mind:
Make them the points of contact for people outside of your organization.
Help them refine their systems for remembering faces, names, and important details about people.
Avoid expecting them to develop deep and lasting relationships with customers. Instead, rely on them for the initial wooing and then transition the new customer to someone better suited for deeper relationships to retain them as customers.
Avoid being too dazzled. It’s easy to do since Wooers® are skilled at making you like them. See them for their strengths and their weaknesses and assign their roles within your organization accordingly.
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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.
