Strengths Finder 2.0

On a number of occasions I have spoken well of the book Strengths Finder 2.0. My friend Amy Bobo recently reviewed this tool. Here is an excerpt of her review . . .

This book by Tom Rath of the Gallup Organization provides readers with access to an online testing form to accurately pull out one’s top five personal strengths. Because of the nature of this online test, you must rate yourself quickly – without over-thinking – and place yourself on a continuum between two different pairs of strengths. For example, on the right side of the equation the statement might be “I am generous.” And on the left, “I study to gather as many expert opinions as possible.” You rank which of the two statements sounds more like you. If you doubt the efficacy of self-reporting, they have empirical data to support the accuracy of their instrument, and over 2.5 million people have taken the survey.

Overall, this book gave me a fresh appreciation for valuing a variety of skills and a new perspective on some great ways to restructure around the positives – in others and in myself. The 18-page report also provides helpful pointers on working with others and the types of strengths to seek out in others to balance you as you consider potential teammates. Even if two people display the same strengths, the report will suggest different areas for growth based on the degree to which those strengths are evident.

Click here to read the rest of Amy’s review.