How I Predicted The Outcome For My Client

No, I’m not clairvoyant. But the results of the Clifton StrengthsFinder (CSF) Assessment are so accurate you can reliably predict what someone might do in a given situation. I invited a client to a lunch and learn recently where the presentation was a version of the DISC profile.

They had paired a different bird with each personality type. Having taken DISC myself, my highest was Influencer, so I went straight for the Parrot Image. (The Owl was Conscientious, Eagle was Dominant, and Dove was Supportive) My first two CSF results are Maximizer and Activator which are Influencing Strengths.

My client has four of his top five CSF strengths as influencing strengths. They are Activator, Communication, Competition, and Significance. I didn’t know his DISC profile results, but working with him as a client, I knew he leads strongly from his four influencing strengths so I expected he would choose the Parrot, Influencers circle.

When I turned around after arriving at the Parrot group to look for him, I had to laugh when I saw where he landed. Right in the middle of the Eagles. To know him is to understand why he chose the Eagles. He soars high with leaders and has an eagle eye for his surroundings and opportunities. However, Dominant would be a close second to his Influencing qualities.

Here’s what happened when my client was put in an unusual situation surrounded by other people’s’ strengths. When circled by the Dominant Eagles, he quickly stepped into his Influencer role to get them flying in sync with the directions we were given. (A characteristic of high D’s is that they generally give orders, not take orders) This proved true, as not one of them knew what they had been instructed to do.

He so quickly got them organized, they had fun and beat all the other teams in answering the questions. No surprise, the Owls, never did decide and agree on the answers to the questions. There were too many possibilities to consider. The Doves were ready to build a campfire and sing kumbaya together.

Here’s why that happened. When I asked him why he went to the Eagles, he chuckled and said, “I like Eagles.”

I believe there was more to his reason. Significance is the performer and loves to be center stage. Competition loves to win, and Activator wants to do it in record time. Those three played a strong hand in attracting this Influencer to the Dominant Eagles. His Communication strength gave him confidence to explain the instructions and get those Eagles flying in formation. (Eagles don’t usually fly even in two’s) Only an Influencer can do that!

 

Here’s what he had to say about our reflection of the experience:

Cheryl and I have been working together for many months now, and with each session I’m learning more about myself, and how I can leverage my strongest assets to make my leadership style and business more profitable. When Cheryl asked if I wanted to attend a strengths luncheon with her it was an easy decision. My decision to join the Eagle group likely had several things that went into it, but truly when we were asked to make the decision the eagle was the only bird I feel I resonated with. When the presenter gave us instructions on how to proceed I looked around my group and saw two things.

First, no one in the group was listening to the instructions. Second, no one thought that was strange or odd. They were all doing their own thing, socializing and being in the moment. What happened next was instinct. I grabbed the instructions and used my voice to gain the attention of the group of eagles and walked them through our assignment. When it was our turn to present our entire group of eagles looked to me to be their voice.

I could see Cheryl across the room smiling ear to ear like she had a secret. She had already made the connection and predicted the outcome of what was about to happen when I joined the “wrong” group.

 

Success can be predicted

Success in growing your business can be predicted when you know how to put your strengths to work for you. My client put himself in a powerful, dominate group of eagles, and put his influencing strengths to work to get them all to follow him. That’s what influencers do naturally. Since we started working together he can better recognize and intentionally leverage these strengths to accomplish his goals, and create a more profitable business because of it.

Are you ready to make your business more profitable? Contact me about taking your strengths assessment today! 🙂