How can the StrengthsFinder model improve personal coaching?

1 What is StrengthsFinder?

StrengthsFinder is a popular assessment tool that helps people identify their top five talents out of 34 possible themes. These themes represent natural patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that can be productively applied in various domains of life and work. The idea behind StrengthsFinder is that by knowing and developing your strengths, you can achieve more success and satisfaction, while avoiding the frustration and inefficiency of trying to fix your weaknesses.

2 How can StrengthsFinder improve personal coaching?

StrengthsFinder can be a valuable resource for personal coaching, both for coaches and clients. For coaches, StrengthsFinder can help them understand their own strengths and how they can use them to enhance their coaching skills and style. For example, a coach with a high score in communication may be good at asking powerful questions, giving feedback, and building rapport. A coach with a high score in strategic may be good at seeing the big picture, identifying options, and creating action plans.

For clients, StrengthsFinder can help them discover their unique talents and how they can leverage them to achieve their goals and overcome their challenges. For example, a client with a high score in learner may be motivated by acquiring new knowledge and skills, and may benefit from coaching that provides them with opportunities to learn and grow. A client with a high score in achiever may be driven by completing tasks and reaching milestones, and may benefit from coaching that helps them set SMART goals and track their progress.

3 How to use StrengthsFinder in personal coaching?

Using StrengthsFinder in personal coaching can be beneficial, depending on the purpose and context of the coaching relationship. You and your client should take the assessment online or through the book StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath. Afterwards, review the results and compare them. Discuss your client's strengths with them, asking open-ended questions to help them explore how they use them in their current situation and how they can use them more effectively in the future. Encourage your client to create a strengths-based action plan that aligns with their goals and values. As you support, provide accountability, and give feedback, review and evaluate your client's progress regularly. Celebrate their achievements and acknowledge their efforts to keep them motivated.

5 What are the challenges of StrengthsFinder for personal coaching?

Using StrengthsFinder for personal coaching can be challenging for both coaches and clients. For instance, you may not fully understand or appreciate your strengths, or use them inappropriately or excessively, leading to conflicts, errors, or missed opportunities. Additionally, you may focus too much on your strengths and ignore or deny your weaknesses, leading to gaps, risks, or stagnation. Furthermore, you may use your strengths as an excuse or a label and limit your growth or potential, resulting in fixed mindsets, biases, or prejudices.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?