StrengthsFinder – A Hidden Gem

StrengthsFinder has been around for quite a while; however, not many people know of it.  If you are one of those individuals, then you should know that it is a type of online quiz.  The test was built by a team of psychologists who wanted to develop a tool which people could use in order to establish what their natural talents are and how to develop them.  There are several organizations and groups of people who have started using it, but the quiz remains somewhat unpopular.

Those who feel they are already aware of the things they are good at will think StrengthsFinder has nothing more to offer; however, they would be wrong!  The quiz can give individuals a couple of useful things:

• While you may know what your affinities are, it’s good to see when this knowledge about yourself is confirmed;
• Suggestions for improvement. The great thing about this quiz is that it will also help you become even better at the things you’re good at.  This way, you can truly maximize your potential

The test is more useful than you might think, not only due to the fact that it gives you suggestions through which to better yourself but because it was developed by professionals.  This isn’t a random quiz found on the Internet, but a genuine scientific tool.  Try using it and you may find yourself recommending it to others. Below, you will find further information about how the quiz is built and also how to use it for more than personal development.

StrengthsFinder is based on the general idea that everyone has innate talents and that they are essential in personal development.  Focusing on our strengths enables us to get ahead of the curve and grow faster than we would otherwise.  The quiz can assess 34 potential strengths, and then explain which ones are the top five, along with useful information and suggestions regarding ways to improve each of them.

The test contains a little under 200 questions and takes about 30 minutes to complete.  The great part about this is they are usually interesting and manage to make you actually think before you answer.  You won’t have to go through 200 boring questions.

Once you answer the questions, follow the instructions and you will be able to determine your 5 most important strengths.  However, the quiz also explains what each of them means and how it affects your work or your personal life.  You will find a lot of information regarding how to improve them as well.

You will also be provided with downsides for every strength, in order to better understand who you are.  So, in essence, by learning what your biggest strengths are, you will also be able to understand the weaknesses caused by them.

StrengthsFinder won’t show you how to be successful, or how to be a good marketer, etc., but it will give you all the information that you need in order to build an effective strategy to achieve success.

Why is it important to take this quiz?

First of all, it will validate your identity.  By going through the questions and understanding that you have recognizable strengths, you will be motivated to use and improve them whenever you have the chance.  You will be able to focus on developing your strengths, rather than worrying about your weaknesses.  Furthermore, you will recognize yourself in many of the questions, and this will strengthen your self-confidence.

Secondly, think about how useful this test would be for teams.  StrengthsFinder can help teammates understand what each one is good at and better organize their tasks.  Also, it will help build cohesion as it will offer each of them the chance to see various situations from other points of view.  In a sentence, the quiz can increase both the efficiency of a team, as well as that of each of its members.

Keep in mind that it also offers a large number of suggestions that individuals can use in order to do better, and to take advantage of their strengths.  It even provides an Action Planner that can be used in order to figure out ways of using these attributes in the coming months.

The quiz comes with a $15 price tag.  However, this will get you a book that contains all the information that you will ever need, including a large number of strategies that can teach you how to apply your strengths to various aspects of your life.  Inside the book, you will find a code that will enable you to take the test.  Having said that, if you are a business owner and interested in purchasing it for yourself, then you might want to take a look at the “Entrepreneurial Strengths” version, which is focused on skills that you need in order to develop your business.