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Here at Workflow Queen, we're a little obsessed with our StrengthsFinder assessment results.

If you aren't familiar with this incredible Gallup assessment, don’t worry - we’re going to dive deep into the details of this amazing resource later on in this blog.

As a team, we utilize the results from our assessments to help us identify our strengths for to ensure everyone is in the right role and their zone of genius.

I’m such a HUGE advocate for this assessment and leveraging its results, I was even featured as a StrengthsFinder panelist at BKX (a conference specifically for bookkeepers) in 2021.

I had the chance to share my own experience with using StrengthsFinder results for our team and how others can do the same. This was such a freaking HONOR and I can’t wait to speak again at BKX in 2022!

I first took this assessment when I still ran Workflow Queen by myself. I found the results to be so accurate, it was almost creepy!

Now, as soon as I onboard a new team member, I require them to take the assessment as well. This helps me understand how to use their results to help them perform at their best.

This could mean that I need to shift a team member into a different role after identifying their zone of genius! I’ve found that everyone enjoys working SO much more when they're leaning into what they're good at, not trying to fit them in a box that wasn’t made for them!

In this blog, we're going to examine:

Exactly what the StrengthsFinder assessment is and where to take it
What to do with the StrengthsFinder results for you and your team
How to ensure you and your team are working in their zone of genius

What is StrengthsFinder?

StrengthsFinder is an assessment hosted by Gallup, and it is designed to highlight your individual strengths.

Your results will reveal your natural thinking patterns and talents in a highly detailed report!

The assessment has two options:

Top 5 StrengthsFinder
StrengthsFinder 34

I highly recommend purchasing the full 34 strength report, because it will give you a more holistic view of how you work best. If you only choose the Top 5, the other 29 strengths remain a mystery - which could be valuable data!

Either way, you're taking the full test of 177 questions so you might as well get as much out of it as you can! Keep in mind, this is unlike any online assessment you’ve ever taken.

It’s not here to tell you that based on your results, you're totally a Gryffindor.

The StrengthsFinder assessment is designed to give you data that you can leverage into your best possible performance in both work and life.

See below my actual results from January 5, 2021:

One important note about these results is that I learned to shift my perspective on what’s considered a ‘strength’.

My whole life, I’ve been someone who takes action as soon as I decide I want to do something (like the time I wanted to host a retreat for my students).

Here’s an example:

My friends would say, “OMG it would be so fun if we all went on a trip to Mexico!”

So with that, my number one strength kicks in: Activator.

Next thing you know, I’m looking at AirBnb options, searching for flights, and checking my calendar for available dates. I’ll send my friends a sample itinerary and think about all the margaritas I’m about to enjoy.

I would sometimes feel like this trait in my personality was viewed as negative. Like people felt I was pushing them to DO instead of just talking about it.

Once this assessment taught me that being an Activator is actually a strength, I started embracing the fact that I like to take action, and that it’s also not for everyone.

One of my favorite things about StrengthsFinder is that it tells you how to avoid ‘blind spots’ in addition to how to leverage the trait for maximum potential.

As an Activator, I need to watch out for taking action TOO quickly, without a solid plan. I also need to ensure that my quick actions do not make other people feel pressured to do the same or make them feel overwhelmed.

The Four StrengthsFinder Results Categories

All StrengthsFinder themes are organized into four categories.

EXECUTING themes help you make things happen.
INFLUENCING themes help you take charge, speak up and make sure others are heard.
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING themes help you build strong relationships that hold a team together.
STRATEGIC THINKING themes help you absorb and analyze information that informs better decisions.

Ideally, you’ll want to build a team that’s a nice balance of all the categories. Also, looking at which category each team member is strength-heavy could help you decide if you need to shift them into a different role.

How to Use Your StrengthsFinder Results

Step 1: You and your team take the StrengthsFinder assessment

At Workflow Queen, we pay for all of our team members to take the assessment as part of the onboarding process. We find this data to be very powerful in learning how to communicate and get the best out of each other!

Step 2: Analyze the results

I recommend building out a spreadsheet to house your entire team’s top ten StrengthsFinder. This will give you a visual representation of where your team’s strengths are in common or where you balance each other.

Want to snag our exact spreadsheet for organizing your team’s StrengthsFinder results? This is one of the AWESOME resources we provide in Breakthrough for Bookkeepers & Accountants!

Take the time to read through the details of your results. At a minimum, you should be taking a deep dive into your Top 5.

Reflect on your results. Do they answer some questions like, “Is that why I'm this way???”.

You might find that this is extremely eye-opening in the best way.

Keep in mind, just because a certain strength shows up at the bottom of your results, doesn’t mean you're a bad person or you don’t have that specific talent.

The point of this assessment is to highlight what really shines through in your personality and skills, not make you question whether or not you need to be better at something.

Step 3: Leverage everyone’s strengths

If you're struggling with a team member’s performance, check out their StrengthsFinder results. You might find that they're not playing into their strengths in their current role, and that is the real culprit.

Sometimes this is a simple fix, where you as the leader can create better circumstances for them.

It could just be a matter of identifying their zone of genius and leveraging that to benefit everyone in the company.

But this doesn’t just go for your team!

Make sure you're also leaning into your zone of genius based on your strengths!

When I first took StrengthsFinder assessment, I was a team of one. I did everything by myself to run this company and it was a LOT.

After working my ass off to build my team to three full-time members and nail down our internal systems, I noticed I was able to scale wayyyyy back on my involvement in the day-to-day.

This allowed me to focus more on the strategy behind growing the company and reaching my big goals.

I retook the assessment on November 25, 2021 and was not at all surprised how my results changed.

Compare this image to the one above and notice how my number one strength shifted as my role in the company evolved. At the time of the latter survey, I spend most of my day working on big picture planning, versus when I was stuck in the weeds at the beginning of 2021.

I challenge you to take the test again one year after you take it the first time! This is an incredible way to measure your professional growth.

It’s shown me that hiring a team has allowed me to focus on my zone of genius - which is analyzing our systems and look for ways to improve them for maximum efficiency.

Want more info on StrengthsFinder?

In our group coaching program, Breakthrough for Bookkeepers & Accountants, you will have the opportunity to experience an in-depth discussion on StrengthsFinder with expert guest speaker: Bryan Baker. We are so EXCITED to have Bryan, a Certified Strengths Coach with WeAlign Coaching, share with us exactly how to use your assessment results to reach your full potential!

Breakthrough for Bookkeepers & Accountants is our elite program that is perfect for firm owners who want to build the firm of their dreams.

You’ll get the exact spreadsheet we use to compare our team’s StrengthsFinder results, and learn the logistics behind shifting team members into their zones of genius. (Don’t worry, we’ll also dive deep into how to actually attract, hire, and manage your team members too.)

We’re handing over our special framework for scaling your firm to maximum potential, so you don’t have to waste your valuable time with trial and error. No more wondering how to reach the next level, we’ve got you covered!

Use the button below to get more info on Breakthrough for Bookkeepers & Accountants 👇

GET MORE INFO ON BREAKTHROUGH