Do Great Minds Really Think Alike?

At Faulhaber Communications, we work proactively to determine our team members’ different strengths by using Gallup’s CliftonStrengths talent assessment. In just 45 minutes and 177 questions, you can maximize your potential by understanding and developing your greatest strengths. On our team, not one person has the exact same set of strengths as another.  We know that it’s when different strengths and minds work together that magic happens. So, do great minds really think alike? Absolutely not.

What makes the CliftonStrengths assessment so unique, is that it categorizes its 34 different strengths into four specific domains. These domains represent a spectrum of ability and help determine which people within a given company are best suited for specific tasks. The four domains include: Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building and Strategic Thinking.

Executing

The Executing domain turns ideas into reality and answers the questions of “how do we get this done?”. When a team is working to implement a solution or achieve a goal, someone with strengths in the Executing domain will be best suited to naturally work tirelessly until the goal is accomplished. The strongest themes in this domain include Achiever, Arranger, Belief, Consistency, Deliberative, Discipline, Focus, Responsibility and Restorative. These people are exceptionally talented at dealing with issues proactively, working hard and possessing a great deal of stamina for productivity and checking items off their to-do list. When a project requires a high-performing go-getter, an Executor will be the best fit for the job. The Executing domain makes it happen.

Influencing

When a team is facing challenges selling ideas and persuading others, look no further than a team member with strengths in the Influencing domain. This domain is crucial for connecting with targets, communicating value effectively and making an impact. To reach broader audiences and convince people of your brand or product’s worth – leave it to team members with Influencing domain strengths to accomplish this task with seamless authenticity and success. The strongest themes within this domain include Activator, Command, Communication, Competition, Maximizer, Self-Assurance, Significance and Woo. Influencing others is no small feat, so understanding who is best suited to the role can be the difference between success and failure.

Relationships Building

There is no “I” in team, and when a team needs to be greater than the sum of its parts – leveraging someone with themes in the Relationship Building domain is key. People with Relationship Builder domain themes act as the glue within a company and someone who can empower themselves and others. The most impactful themes within this domain include Adaptability, Connectedness, Developer, Empathy, Harmony, Includer, Individualization, Positivity and Relator. These people have an innate ability to connect with others and nurture long-lasting relationships both personally and professionally.

Strategic Thinking

Focusing on what could be, creating better outcomes and understanding what is necessary to consistently put their team in a position to succeed comes naturally to those that fall within the Strategic Thinking domain. Any high-performing team will have members that are inherently able to absorb information with an analytical perspective to identify risks, downsides and cultivate improved approaches or tactics. This domain is rooted in creativity, innovation and inspiration. The top strengths include Analytical, Context, Futuristic, Ideation, Input, Intellection, Learner and Strategic. The Strategic Thinking domain is crucial for spotting patterns or issues, accumulating information, finding connections and putting forward an insightful perspective of the future.

Once a person is lucky enough to take the Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment, they will know their top 5 strengths and receive a personalized report ranking their strength themes from 1-34. These strengths can fall anywhere within the spectrum of domains. Some may have strengths solely in one specific domain, while others could have a variety. And although not all great minds think alike, leveraging your knowledge on team members’ strength themes and domains will be crucial for achieving results and working cohesively. Awareness on your innate talent allows a person to work with intent and identify where they are most optimal for a team’s success.

Read how to build a strengths-based organization here.