The Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment has helped individuals and teams unlock their full potential by identifying their unique talents. But while many organizations invest in discovering strengths, I’ve seen fewer take full advantage of the Team Strengths Grid—a powerful tool that can transform how teams collaborate, innovate, and achieve results.
The Team Strengths Grid helps teams map out individual strengths in a structured format, revealing group dynamics, blind spots, and opportunities for synergy. Here are a few ways to use the tool:
Optimize Team Collaboration with Strengths-Based Pairing
One of the most common and effective ways to use the Team Strengths Grid is to strategically pair team members who have complementary talents. For example, if one team member has Analytical (precision-driven) and another has Futuristic (visionary thinking), pairing them together can ensure both data-driven decisions and future-focused innovation.
Creative Twist: Introduce a “Strengths Buddy” system where employees pair up for monthly reflection and knowledge-sharing sessions based on their strengths alignment.
Spot Potential Blind Spots and Overused Strengths
While strengths are powerful, over-relying on them without balance can create blind spots. The Team Strengths Grid helps teams spot where they might be missing key perspectives. A team heavy on Executing strengths (Achiever, Discipline, Responsibility) but low in Relationship Building, for example, may struggle with stakeholder engagement.
Creative Twist: Conduct a “Strengths Swap” exercise, where employees adopt a mindset inspired by strengths they lack for a day or week to stretch their skills.
Strengths-Based Delegation for Productivity
Delegation can be challenging when not aligned with natural abilities. The Team Strengths Grid simplifies this by helping leaders assign tasks based on innate strengths rather than just job roles. A team member high in Strategic and Adaptability may be ideal for managing crisis situations, while someone with Discipline and Consistency might thrive in process improvement initiatives.
Creative Twist: Turn delegation into a game where employees “bid” on tasks based on their strengths, fostering a sense of ownership and excitement.
Supercharge Team Meetings with Strengths-Driven Roles
Transform routine meetings into energizing sessions by assigning roles based on team members’ dominant strengths.
- Example:
- Activator → Kicks off discussions
- Maximizer → Challenges the team to aim higher
- Empathy → Ensures all voices are heard
- Focus → Keeps the group on track
Creative Twist: Create Strengths-Based Meeting Cards for easy role selection and rotation.
Foster Innovation with Strengths-Based Brainstorming
A diverse mix of thinking styles fuels innovation, and the Strengths Grid can ensure all perspectives are considered.
- Example: Divide brainstorming sessions into phases:
- Idea Generation (led by Futuristic, Ideation, and Strategic thinkers)
- Refinement (Analytical, Context, Intellection)
- Execution Planning (Achiever, Arranger, Focus)
Creative Twist: Organize Strengths Hackathons, where mixed-strength teams tackle business challenges in a fast-paced, gamified setting.
