How to Take the StrengthsFinder Assessment

Step 1: Prepare to Take the Assessment

The StrengthsFinder assessment is a self-report questionnaire that measures your natural talents across 34 different themes. Before you begin, here are a few things to consider:

• Find a Quiet Place: Choose a quiet environment free from distractions where you can focus fully on the assessment.
• Be Honest: The assessment is designed to uncover your natural patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior. Answer the questions based on your instinctive reactions, not what you think you “should” be.
• Set Aside 30 Minutes: The StrengthsFinder assessment takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, so ensure you have enough time to finish without interruptions.
• Have a Pen and Paper Ready: While not mandatory, it can be helpful to jot down any thoughts or reflections that arise during the process.

Step 2: Take the StrengthsFinder Assessment

The StrengthsFinder assessment consists of a series of paired statements. You’ll be asked to choose the statement that best describes you. For example, you may be presented with two statements like:

Statement A: “I enjoy taking on new projects and challenges.”
Statement B: “I prefer working on projects that are familiar to me.”

You’ll need to choose the statement that most accurately reflects your natural tendencies. It’s important to choose based on your instinct and not overthink your response. The entire assessment is designed to capture your automatic, natural responses.

Step 3: Interpret Your Results

Once you complete the assessment, you will receive a personalized report outlining your top 5 strengths. These are the areas where you naturally excel and are most likely to achieve success. Your results will be grouped into four domains:

• Executing: Talents that help you get things done and make things happen.
• Influencing: Talents that help you take charge, inspire others, and influence outcomes.
• Relationship Building: Talents that help you build strong, trusting relationships with others.
• Strategic Thinking: Talents that help you think critically, plan strategically, and focus on the big picture.

Understanding Your Top 5 Strengths

Your top 5 strengths are a reflection of your natural talents. These themes represent the unique ways in which you approach work, relationships, and life in general. Here’s how to interpret your results:

• Focus on Development: Your top 5 strengths are the areas where you have the most potential for growth. Focus on developing these strengths to achieve success.
• Leverage Your Strengths: Look for opportunities in your personal and professional life where you can apply your strengths. For example, if one of your top strengths is Communication, you may excel in roles that require public speaking or writing.
• Identify Weaknesses: While the StrengthsFinder assessment focuses on strengths, knowing your weaknesses can help you identify areas for improvement. Understanding where you’re less naturally inclined can help you avoid roles or tasks that drain you.

Beyond Your Top 5 Strengths

Your full StrengthsFinder report includes all 34 talent themes, ranked from the most dominant to the least dominant. While your top 5 strengths are the most important, exploring the rest of the talent themes can provide additional insights into your potential. It’s worth noting that strengths are not fixed and can evolve over time with practice and development.

Step 4: Apply Your Strengths

Once you have your results, it’s important to actively apply your strengths in both your personal and professional life. Here are some tips on how to do so:

In Your Career

Understanding your strengths can help you align your career path with your natural abilities. For example, if you have high Executing strengths, roles in project management or operations may suit you. If your strengths lie in Influencing, leadership, sales, or marketing might be a good fit.

In Your Personal Life

Applying your strengths in your personal life can help you build stronger relationships and find more fulfillment in your daily activities. For instance, if you have high Relationship Building strengths, you may excel at connecting with others and creating lasting personal bonds.

In Team Settings

StrengthsFinder is not only valuable for individuals but also for teams. When you understand your team’s strengths, you can assign tasks and roles that align with each person’s natural talents. This leads to improved collaboration, higher morale, and greater productivity.

Step 5: Take the Next Steps

After taking the StrengthsFinder assessment, there are several ways to continue your journey of self-discovery and growth:

• Study Your Results: Review your results in depth and consider how you can apply your strengths in your career and personal life.
• Invest in Strengths Development: Take action to develop your strengths further by seeking additional resources such as books, coaching, or online courses.
• Engage in Strengths-Based Coaching: Consider working with a coach to help you maximize your strengths and apply them more effectively in different areas of your life.
• Encourage Others: Share your results with friends, family, or colleagues and encourage them to take the StrengthsFinder assessment to foster a strengths-based culture in your community or workplace.