StrengthsFinder 2.0

AssistKD Book Review

The "StrengthsFinder 2.0" book by Tom Rath draws on over 40 years of Gallup's research into human strengths (at the point of publishing in 1998). The premise of the book is that an individual has much more potential for growth when developing their strengths rather than focusing on their weaknesses. The book identifies 34 common talents and an online psychometric assessment (The Clifton StrengthsFinder) to help you identify your top 5 talents.

What is the Clifton StrengthsFinder?

The Clifton StrengthsFinder is a comprehensive psychometric used to identify and report on your top 5 strengths. In addition, it provides insights on how to capitalise on your strengths by giving 10 ideas for each strength.

What are the benefits of finding your strengths?

•    Much higher engagement in work

•    Improved quality of life

•    Find a bit more happiness

Some very interesting statistics are quoted in the book regarding employee disengagement. Where managers focus on weaknesses, employees have a 22% probability of being actively disengaged. This is compared with only 1% probability where managers focus on their strengths.

If you are not working to your strengths then you may:

•    Dread work

•    Have more negative than positive interactions with your colleagues

•    Not offer a good standard of customer service

•    Moan about your company to your friends and family

•    Achieve less

This could impact negatively on your self-confidence, attitude, stress-levels and general well-being.

The Growth of Positive Psychology

Historically, many psychological tools focused on deficiencies, but there has been considerable growth in positive psychology in recent years. The Clifton StrengthsFinder tool focuses on finding what is 'right' with people and measures talent. This psychometric assessment digs into core personality traits that are believed to be relatively stable. Once you have identified your natural talents you can then focus your efforts on turning them into strengths through practice and hard work.

Investing in Your Natural Talents and Strengths

The book starts with a bit of a background and introduces the concept of natural talents and strengths. It explains that your performance levels are the product of your natural talent level and the investment you make into developing your skills and building your knowledge.

Talent x Investment = Strength

So, it is better to put your investment into areas of natural talent to develop your strengths. Using a scale of 1 to 5 for both talent and investment, you can see that if you have a natural talent level of 1 then with the maximum investment the product is only 1 x 5 = 5 but where your natural talent is 5 with the same investment the product is 5 x 5 = 25.

Don't ignore your weaknesses, as they may come back to bite you. If you cannot avoid them entirely, then try to find a way to use your strengths to compensate for them.

The Clifton StrengthFinder Questionnaire

Once you have read Part 1 of the book you will probably be ready to take the Clifton StrengthsFinder questionnaire to identify your talents. Please note that you need the code in the back of the book and each code is only valid for one use, so if you do buy this book (or audiobook) then make sure that you obtain it from a reputable source to ensure you get an unused code.

The questionnaire takes about 30 minutes and consists of 177 paired statements where you have to say which statement of the pair mostly closely describes you. At the end of the questionnaire you get a report of your top 5 talents that gives personal insights into each of your top 5 and gives ideas to develop your personal action plan.

The 34 Talents

Part 2 of the book describes all of the 34 talents. For each of the talents, it gives a description of the talents, gives helpful ideas on how to work with and develop those talents and how to work with others who have that talent.

Annual appraisals and feedback makes many of us aware of our weaknesses, so it is a breath of fresh air to complete a psychometric test designed to reveals strengths and talents.

StrengthsFinder – the Benefits for Business Analysts

For business analysts, the book "StrengthsFinder" may offer the following benefits:

•    Personal development. The psychometric assessment can help business analysts identify their top talents/strengths. Your personal assessment report will provide ideas for action to better understand how to develop and apply your natural talents helping you to excel in your personal and professional life.

•    Better team collaboration. Understanding and working to the strengths of all team members can help improve the effectiveness of team. The book gives hints on how to work with others based on their strengths.

•    Improved communication. By knowing your own strengths, you can use these to effectively communicate with other team members, stakeholders, and clients. You can also benefit from this knowledge to tailor your communication style for different audiences.

•    Enhanced career development. By focussing on your strengths instead of their weaknesses, you can develop your natural talents into strengths. The book also suggests the type of roles that suit your strengths so this can help you planning and developing your career.

In summary, StrengthsFinder 2.0 can help business analysts learn more about themselves and others. Through these insights they find better ways to work by using and building on their talents and help them develop a fulfilling career.