Getting your team excited about their CliftonStrengths™️ is one thing, but making those strengths a lasting part of your workplace culture is another. A strengths-based team isn’t just more engaged; they’re also more productive, collaborative, and confident in what they bring to the table. According to Gallup, employees who use their strengths every day are 6x more likely to be engaged at work and 8% more productive
But introducing strengths once and expecting lasting results isn’t how it works. You need a strong kickoff, consistent reinforcement, and simple tools to keep your strengths top of mind. Building a strengths-based culture starts with making strengths a part of daily conversations.
Let’s dive into why strengths matter, practical ways to keep them visible, and strategies for reinforcing strengths long after the first week.
The Value of a Strong Kickoff
A strong kickoff sets the tone for the entire team’s experience with CliftonStrengths™️ in the workplace. Whether you're introducing strengths during onboarding with CliftonStrengths™️, a team meeting, or an offsite meeting, the way you present strengths can significantly impact how your team embraces them moving forward.
During this initial introduction, it's important to create an atmosphere of curiosity and excitement. Instead of simply handing out results and moving on, take time to explore each person’s unique strengths and how they contribute to the overall team dynamic.
Here’s how to make your kickoff effective:
- Clarify the purpose: Start by explaining the value of a strengths-based culture. When team members understand the "why," they’re more likely to engage with the process.
- Facilitate open discussions: Give employees the chance to reflect on their individual strengths and how they align with the team’s goals. Encouraging conversation makes the experience more personal and meaningful.
- Incorporate interactive activities: Whether it’s through team-building exercises, role-playing, or discussions, interactive activities will help everyone feel more connected to their strengths and the strengths of others.
- Tie strengths to team goals: Help employees see how their individual strengths contribute to the larger objectives of the team or organization. This connection makes the process feel more relevant and valuable.
A strong kickoff isn’t just about introducing a tool. It’s about setting the foundation for a culture that thrives on understanding and leveraging each team member’s strengths.
Practical Tips: Keeping Strengths Visible
After the strong kickoff, it's important to keep strengths top of mind so they become an ongoing part of your team’s culture. Everyday references can reinforce the strengths-focused mindset and encourage team members to continue leveraging their unique talents.
Here are some practical tips to introduce strengths to your team and integrate them into daily interactions:
- Name Tags or Desk Placards: Adding strengths to name tags or desk placards (or even table tents and wall signage) creates a constant reminder of what each person brings to the team. This brings awareness and encourages collaboration.
- Strengths-Based Conversations: During check-ins, project updates, or brainstorming sessions, ask how team members are using their strengths. This encourages reflection and reinforces a strengths-based mindset.
- Icebreakers & Team-Building Activities: Use strengths-focused icebreakers, such as sharing a time they used a particular strength or a "superpower sharing" exercise where team members identify and discuss their top strengths. These activities support team building with strengths and deepen connections.
By incorporating these simple yet effective strategies, strengths will become a natural part of your team’s culture, making them more likely to be applied consistently. When strengths are visible, it signals that each person’s talents are recognized and valued, helping build trust and stronger team dynamics.
Reinforcement: Keeping Strengths Visible After the First Week
To ensure strengths remain a lasting part of your team culture, consider these four strategies:
- One-on-One Meetings: Discuss how team members use their strengths and how they are helping them achieve their goals. This keeps strengths in focus and encourages ongoing reflection.
- Celebrate Strengths in Meetings: Regularly highlight examples of strengths in action during team meetings. Public recognition reinforces their value and motivates others to apply their strengths.
- Strengths-Based Team Challenges: Organize team challenges that require everyone to use their strengths. This keeps strengths visible while also encouraging collaboration and growth.
- For Managers: Try adding a reminder in your calendar to reflect on how you’ve seen your team’s strengths in action and give quick shoutouts via email or chat—it keeps momentum going without needing a formal meeting.
By consistently applying these strategies, you’ll keep strengths active and essential to your team’s success.
The Takeaway
Introducing and reinforcing CliftonStrengths™️ within your team is an ongoing process that requires intention and consistency. By incorporating strengths into your daily conversations, celebrating them in meetings, and using practical tools, you can create a strengths-based culture that drives engagement and productivity.
Ready to take the next step? Visit the Strengths Store for launch-ready tools that can help you integrate CliftonStrengths™️ in the workplace seamlessly into your team’s workflow and sustain a strengths-based culture.
