We tried Strengthsfinder as a team exercise last week our meetup in Bulgaria. It’s a tool for measuring and identifying your strengths, with the goal of understanding and developing them further.

The Clifton StrengthsFinder measures the presence of talents in 34 general areas referred to as “themes.” Talents are ways in which we naturally think, feel, and behave as unique individuals, and they serve as the foundation of strengths development.

After taking the test, it identified my top 5 strengths as:

1. Deliberative
   

   People with strong Deliberative talents are careful and vigilant. Everything may seem in order, but beneath the surface they sense many risks. Rather than avoiding these hazards, they draw each one out into the open. Then each risk can be identified, assessed, and ultimately reduced. Thus, those with strong Deliberative talents bring a thorough and conscientious approach to making decisions. They take care to consider options, thinking through the pros and cons of each alternative. To them, making the correct choice is more important than the time it takes to do so. They see life as something of a minefield. Others can run through it recklessly if they so choose, but they take a different approach. They identify the dangers, weigh their relative effect, and then place their feet deliberately. They walk with care

2. Analytical
   

   People with strong Analytical talents challenge others to “Prove it.” They take a critical approach to what others might quickly accept as truth. They search for the reasons why things are the way they are. They want to understand how certain patterns affect one another. How do they combine? What is the outcome? Does this outcome fit with the theory offered or the situation at hand? These are their questions. Others see them as logical and rigorous. Some may feel that they are negative or unnecessarily critical when they are simply trying to understand something. They bring an objective and dispassionate examination that enables them to find the root causes and effects, and then develop clear thoughts based on facts.

3. Relator
   

   Relator talents describe a person’s attitude toward their relationships. In simple terms, people with strong Relator talents are drawn to others they already know. They do not necessarily shy away from meeting new people — in fact, they may have other themes that cause them to enjoy the thrill of turning strangers into friends — but they do derive a great deal of pleasure and strength from being around their close friends. In short, a person with strong Relator talents forms close relationships with people. They may know many people, and they can relate to all kinds of people. But they also have a very small group of friends with whom they have incredibly deep relationships

4. Learner
   

   People with strong Learner talents constantly strive to learn and improve. The process of learning is as important to them as the knowledge they gain. Learners are energized by the steady and deliberate journey from ignorance to competence. They are excited by the thrill of learning new facts, beginning a new subject, and mastering an important skill. Learning builds their confidence. Having Learner as a dominant theme does not necessarily motivate someone to become a subject matter expert or strive for the respect that accompanies earning a professional or academic credential. The outcome of learning is less significant than “getting there.”

5. Command
   

   People with strong Command talents naturally take charge. They see what needs to be done, and they are willing to speak up. They are not frightened by confrontation; rather, they understand that confrontation is the first step toward resolution. They need things to be clear among people and will challenge others to be realistic and honest. Their talent pushes them to take risks. At times, those with strong Command talents may intimidate others. And while some may resent this talent, others often willingly hand them the reins. People are drawn toward those who take a stand and are willing to lead.

I think the first 4 are dead on. Parts of the Command description don’t seem to match up, but I guess that’s why it’s ranked at the bottom. If you pay for the full test you get over 30 strengths.

We agreed that the whole thing was a bit like reading your horoscope.