Strength Based Mentoring

In TeamMates, we utilize two different CliftonStrengths platforms, StrengthsQuest and Strengths Explorer. We have spent the last year discussing one by one the 34 StrengthsQuest themes. Over this summer, we are going to dive into each of the Strengths Explorer Themes. Before we begin, we wanted to spend a week discussing what Strengths Explorer is for those who are unfamiliar. Strengths Explorer is a simplified version of CliftonStrengths, aimed at younger individuals. In TeamMates, we utilize SE with 3 rd through 8 th graders. The assessment itself is much shorter than StrengthsQuest, only taking 15-30 minutes, on average. The questions have easier language and the assessment itself is not timed, making this assessment accessible and inclusive to all students.     Once the student is finished taking SE, they receive their Top 3 of 10 themes. These 10 themes were chosen by the Gallup Education department in the formation of Strengths Explorer. They a...

  We are grateful to have traveled to many communities this year and while Tess and I did a great deal of “talking strengths” on the road, we learned just as much from the strengths discovery and awareness of mentors and mentees. Realizing that some of the best strengths practice comes from conversations with one another, Tess and I decided to structure a new opportunity – a video series aimed at building conversations on the unique ways we see the world, based on our strengths, and based on our stage and season of life. As we were sharing this idea at one of our first fall strengths sessions, Bob’s ideation guided us to our title:  Genn and Millie.   My perspective comes from the GenX generation and Tess’s the Millenial.  We witnessed Bob’s ideation in action as that title quickly came to mind.  Thankfully Bob helped us find the right description. Often we discuss the impact of high school students thinking about their strengths in re...

This year, since coming on staff, I have had the opportunity to attend trainings at Gallup, travel to countless communities to advocate strengths, make ridiculous yet informative videos, write about individual strengths, and grow in my own knowledge and ownership of strengths. One of the greatest lessons I have learned personally this year is the power of knowing my limits. Gallup co-founder Don Clifton believed that a lifetime is not enough to learn about your #1 strength. After years of naming, claiming, and aiming my top 5, I find I am still learn something new about my strengths each day. But this year, because of my training, I had the opportunity to learn my full 34 strengths. When most people learn about their full 34, they go straight to the bottom, looking at what are their “weaknesses.” These aren’t actually our weaknesses, but our “lesser talents”, according to Gallup. Through a strengths-based lens, our lesser talents are opportunities to utilize blends of our other do...

People exceptionally talented in the Input theme have a craving to know more. Often they like to collect and archive all kinds of information. Clifton Strengths Finder People with high Input have an unquenched thirst to know more. They are continuously seeking more information, more knowledge, and more resources. One of my favorite Input-ers is my coworker Allyson Horne. She explains her Input by sharing that her favorite sentences end in a question mark. By asking questions, Allyson shows her love for and interest in the other person’s life. Questions are natural and normal in every conversation for someone with Input. They have an insatiable curiosity. Gallup writes, “A few minutes of surfing on the internet may turn into hours once their curiosity takes in.” People with high Input often collect things. Unlike someone with high Context who may collect maps or historical stamps, or someone with Relator who may save letters and pictures from loved ones, the collectio...

People exceptionally talented in the Ideation theme are fascinated by ideas. They are able to find connections between seemingly disparate phenomena. Clifton StrengthsFinder People with high Ideation are what the world might naturally describe as “creative.” These individuals have a knack for coming up with fresh, new, and original ideas. These ideas often come from being able to see situations from a new perspective and connect the dots. They thrive in brain storming sessions and are often a valuable part of a team that is “stuck in a rut.” They receive a lot of energy and excitement when they are in a space which allows the free flow of ideas from their brain. They are often described as people who “think outside the box,” being forerunners and innovators that come up with brand new routes that haven’t been taken before. Although Ideation manifests in situational settings, it may also manifest in an individual’s life through their love of art, music, or writing.   ...

People exceptionally talented in the Belief theme have certain core values that are unchanging. Out of thee values emerges a defined purpose for their lives. Clifton StrengthsFinder People high in Belief have unchanging values. The specific values are dependent on the individual themselves, but in each case, they frame how that individual acts, thinks, and decides. People with Belief may not necessarily be religious or spiritual people, but their values shape their lives. Because their values are unchanging, people see those with Belief as reliable and enduring. Their values help bring purpose and focus to even the most menial of work. These values give passion and drive to individuals, allowing them boundless energy around the non-negotiables. In my coaching course, I met a preacher from Tennessee named Rodney. He has high Belief and detailed to me a story of a young kid in his church. This boy’s dad had an unhealthy control over him and was preventing him from goi...

People exceptionally talented in the Responsibility theme take psychological ownership of what they say they will do. They are committed to stable values such as honesty and loyalty. Clifton StrengthsFinder People with high Responsibility have a strong sense of ownership over the tasks that are given to them. If some duty is assigned to them, the will 100% follow-through with it. As a result, these individuals are seen as very dependable and trustworthy. They will do everything in their power to bring a task or project to completion. If they are not the ones to see it through the end, they check in with the person who is going to finish it to ensure it comes to completion. Therefore, people will naturally look to these individuals when they have things to delegate, because they know those with Responsibility will finish what they start. The internal motivation for this follow through is not to complete projects, like it is for someone with Achiever, but rather, it is b...