Cliftonstrengths Research

Our evidence-based assessment gives a unique report detailing your 48 core work motivations. Through this deeper understanding, it improves communication, leadership style, well-being, crucial skills, and exceptional team performance.

Cliftonstrengths is a performance-based assessment providing an in-depth report of your strengths. Within the assessment, there are four main domains of leadership strengths and 34 strength themes.

Various students, professionals, and organizations use the tool to become aware of their natural talents and work to align their professional and personal lives using these strengths. Effective leaders could foster a strengths-based culture that leverages employees’ natural strengths and a supportive company culture to build high-performing teams.

F4S is currently running a study on Cliftonstrengths to build upon the strength-based assessment tool supported by motivation theory and cognitive bias. By combining the tools, we hope to provide awareness of how you best work, your strengths in the workplace, and how organizations can improve overall performance, well-being, and satisfaction.

How F4S Cliftonstrengths research enhances the strengths tool

Cliftonstrengths is often used in the workplace to highlight individual strengths and align roles and responsibilities with them. Our research will further dive into motivational patterns related to the various strengths. By identifying uniqueness within each strength, the tool can provide value for organizations, business leaders, and individuals who want to leverage their talents to accomplish amazing things at work.

Similarly, F4S focuses on the workplace, specifically on what is energizing and what is  demotivating. Using a tool that adds new dimensions of motivation theory and cognitive bias will give the information from the strengths’ assessment greater applicability and impact. Through collaborative use of both tools, individuals can become aware of their natural talents, motivational patterns, and biases to thrive in the workplace.

What is the Cliftonstrengths assessment?

The Cliftonstrengths assessment focuses on your strengths to improve employee engagement, productivity, and alignment with talents. The tool involves four main domains of leadership strengths: executing, influencing, relationship building, and strategic thinking. Within these domains, there are 34 strength themes. Your signature strengths are your highest strength themes.

34 Talent themes of Cliftonstrengths

1. Strategic thinking: Analytical

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website describes this analytical theme as caring deeply about having coherent theories, objectivity, connections between theories and information, and accumulating data.¹

At F4S, Concept is the motivation for developing theories, Systems refers to the interest in determining the interconnectedness between concepts and ideas, and Information is the preference for interacting and using data.

2. Strategic thinking: Context 

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website portrays the context theme as highly valuing thinking and learning from the past and preferring limited change.¹

Past is the motivation for learning and utilizing the past to make decisions, and Sameness is the focus on retaining the status quo.

[H3] 3. Strategic thinking: Futuristic

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website states that the futuristic theme derives inspiration from thinking about the future and making visions and dreams.¹

The joy of thinking about the future aligns with Future motivation, and dreaming about the future matches the motivation for Goal Orientation, a preference to set and achieve goals.

4. Strategic thinking: Ideation 

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website depicts the ideation theme as being fascinated by new ideas, establishing connections, and understanding how things work.¹

Structure is the motivation to establish connections between various ideas and tasks, and Concept is the preference for theorizing. Thinking of new ideas aligns with the motivation for Alternatives, the preference for creativity and experimenting with new approaches. 

5. Strategic thinking: Input  

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website characterizes the input theme as highly inquisitive, feeling empowered to collect information, ideas, and objects.¹

At F4S, Information speaks to the energy for accumulating various forms of data, and Examples is the interest in being convinced by multiple data points. The preference for having data could be related to Depth, the preference for being detail-oriented and subject matter experts.

6. Strategic thinking: Intellection

Cliftonstrengths on the GallupWebsite details the intellection theme as having a high interest in any form of intellectual activity and having time to think and be alone.¹

Reflection and Patience is the energy to think and reflect, and Solo Environment refers to the motivation for having an independent space when working.

7. Strategic thinking: Learner

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website states that the learner theme enjoys the learning process and continuous improvement.¹

At F4S, Evolution is the motivation to innovate and continuously improve, and Present is the energy for enjoying the here and now.

8. Strategic thinker: Strategic

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website portrays the strategic theme as creating alternative ways of completing tasks and planning out different scenarios to reach the desired outcome.¹

The preference for finding new ways and possibilities matches the motivation for Alternatives, and Structure speaks to the motivation for planning.

9. Relationship building: Adaptability

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website depicts the adaptability theme as focusing on the now and adapting quickly to tasks.¹

The motivation to focus on the here and now fits with Future, and increased adaptability to tasks refers to the motivation for Use, preferring to dive into action items and learn on the go.

10. Relationship building: Connectedness

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website describes the connectedness theme as believing strongly in the links between all things and being a bridge builder across cultural differences.¹

At F4S, Systems is the motivation for determining how things connect, and Tolerance speaks to the energy for recognizing and appreciating the uniqueness of each individual.

11. Relationship building: Developer

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website details the developer theme as being talented at recognizing and cultivating the potential of others and having an aptitude for minor improvements.¹

People is the focus to attend to people's thoughts and feelings, and Evolution is the motivation for incremental improvements.

12. Relationship building: Empathy

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website refers to the empathy theme as being empathetic and valuing the freedom to express emotions and understand the perspective of others.¹

The interest in having an empathetic approach and being attentive to the non-verbal cues of others aligns with the motivation for Affective Communication. Sameness may be relevant, as it helps individuals step into the perspectives of others to understand them better.

13. Relationship building: Harmony

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website characterizes the harmony theme as having a high interest in maintaining harmony and practically approaching tasks.¹

The energy for maintaining harmony speaks to the motivation for Affiliation, focusing on building a sense of belonging in the workplace, and Present is the motivation for being pragmatic and realistic.

14. Relationship building: Includer

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website depicts the includer theme of valuing the inclusion of others, regardless of any differences.¹

At F4S, Group Environment speaks to the energy for working with others. Affiliation is the motivation for building belonging in the workplace, and Tolerance is the preference for accepting others.

15. Relationship building: Individualization

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website describes the individualization theme as having a strength for finding the unique qualities of people, adapting to the uniqueness of individuals, and collaborating with others.¹

The motivation to accommodate and appreciate the differences of others matches with Tolerance, and collaborating with others aligns with Shared Responsibility.

16. Relationship building: Positivity

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website portrays the positivity theme as being positive, celebrating every achievement, and enjoying everyday experiences.¹

Achievement is the motivation to achieve results and celebrate accomplishments, and Present is the energy to reference and value the present moment.

17. Relationship building: Relator

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website refers to the relator theme as enjoying close relationships with others and developing an understanding of one's goals, fears, feelings, and thoughts.¹

Affiliation is the preference for developing meaningful relationships in the workplace, Group Environment is the energy to work with others, and People is the motivation to understand and interact with others.

18. Influencing: Activator

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website portrays the activator theme as turning thoughts and learning through action, and making quick decisions based on the result of actions.¹

At F4S, Initiation is the preference for quickly moving from idea to action, Use is the motivation for learning through action, and Automatic refers to the energy for rapidly making decisions the moment one feels confident.

19. Influencing: Command

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website describes the command theme as feeling empowered to take control of situations and to communicate the truth no matter the difficulty.¹

Power is the preference for taking ownership and directing successful projects, and Assertiveness is the focus on communicating rules and standards to others.

20. Influencing: Communication

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website details the communication theme as highly valuing communication, being able to tell stories and present effectively.¹

Affective Communication speaks to the motivation for paying attention to non-verbal cues and total communication delivery, and Neutral Communication aligns with the interest in having a high impact with words. 

21. Influencing: Competition

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website states that the competition theme emphasizes performance and competition, aspiring to be the best.¹

The motivation to compete and accomplish objectives speaks to the motivation for Achievement, and the desire to be the best may relate to Goal Orientation, the preference to set and achieve audacious goals.

22. Influencing: Maximizer

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website speaks to the maximizer theme as focusing on using everyone's strengths to accomplish tasks and innovating something that already exists to enhance performance.¹

Achievement speaks to the energy for measuring and rewarding accomplishments, which relates to identifying strengths via performance. Innovation aligns with the motivation for Evolution, emphasizing incremental improvements. 

23. Influencing: Self-assurance

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website characterizes the self-assurance theme as being confident in their abilities and perspectives.¹

At F4S, Internal Reference is the motivation to utilize one's skills, capacities, and knowledge to make decisions, and Automatic is the motivation to make decisions once one feels confident. 

24. Influencing: Significance

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website portrays the significance theme as prioritizing having a big impact on the world around them and associating themselves with impactful and successful people.¹

The motivation to have a big impact on the world matches with Goal Orientation, preferring to set and achieve targets, and Power, the energy for being in a position of authority to enhance one's influence. 

25. Influencing: Woo

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website defines the woo type as being driven to meet and form meaningful connections with others.¹

Group Environment is the motivation to work and connect with others, and Affective Communication is the preference for focusing on non-verbal cues and building rapport.

26. Executing: Achiever

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website refers to the achiever theme as emphasizing being busy, productive, and having constant accomplishments.¹

The energy for being constantly busy and active matches the motivation for Activity, and the focus on accomplishing results align with Achievement.

27. Executing: Arranger

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website describes the arranger theme as having a high degree of flexibility and wanting to determine how to enhance productivity through the optimal arrangement of resources.¹

Alternatives speak to the motivation for being adaptable and finding new ways to approach tasks, and Structure, the motivation for ordering and organizing resources to complete tasks.

28. Executing: Belief

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website explains that the belief theme possesses unwavering core values that give direction to life.¹

The need for a purpose to complete tasks aligns with the motivation for Goal Orientation, and holding unwavering values refers to Assertiveness, holding oneself and others to similar standards and rules.

29. Executing: Consistency

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website depicts the consistency theme as wanting predictability and clear rules and procedures to follow.¹

Sameness is the energy to maintain the status quo, and Procedures is the motivation to follow best-practice methods. The interest in following the rules matches with Compliance, preferring to follow and advocate for a company's rules.

30. Executing: Deliberative

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website states that the deliberative theme anticipates and plans against obstacles, having a deliberate approach to avoid risks.¹

The value of planning against obstacles aligns with Structure, and the avoidance of risk matches with, Procedures, the motivation to follow previously successful processes to avoid unnecessary risk.

31. Executing: Discipline

Cliftonstrenths on the Gallup website portrays the discipline theme as prioritizing order, routines, details, and predictability.¹

Sameness speaks to the energy to retain routine and the status quo, and Structure is the preference to organize and plan before approaching tasks. The motivation for detail matches the motivation for Depth, a high attentiveness to specifics.

32. Executing: Focus

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website details the focus theme as valuing setting goals to create direction and efficiency.¹

At F4S, Goal Orientation is the preference for setting and achieving goals, and Time is the interest in sticking to schedules and focusing on when things occur.

33. Executing: Responsibility

Cliftonstrengths on the Gallup website characterizes the responsibility theme as taking ownership of what they say they will do and striving for perfection in their projects.¹

Sole Responsibility is the motivation for having clearly assigned responsibilities and ownership of tasks. The interest in perfection may relate to Consistency, the energy to recheck conclusions to maintain consistent standards.

34. Executing: Restorative

Clitonstrengths on the Gallup website speaks to the restorative theme as having a talent for analyzing and figuring out what is wrong and fixing the problem.¹

Concept is the preference for analyzing and theorizing before engaging in tasks, and Away From Problems is the motivation derived from solving problems.

Benefits of using F4S and Cliftonstrengths in the workplace

Cliftonstrengths enables you to become aware of and leverage your signature strengths in your professional and personal life. You can feel more engaged and fulfilled in the workplace by aligning activities to your strengths. At an organizational level, exceptional leaders can cultivate a strengths-based culture that leverages the unique talents of others.

Combined with the evidence-based lens of Fingerprint for Success work motivations and the Cliftonstrengths strengths, you gain more insights into what is empowering and fulfilling in order to build high-performing teams. Through this awareness, leaders can foster exceptional team performance and collaboration among team members, utilize dominant strengths in projects, and inform conflict resolution skills.

The utility of CliftonStrengths and F4S motivational assessment can foster more supportive environments that enable strengths-based development. It is essential to amplify the talents and preferences of others to support a future of work that is authentic and inspiring. Together, these tools help us appreciate and focus on strengths and celebrate the uniqueness of others.