|
Thinking of using a strengths assessment to build a better team? Great idea... if you choose the right one. As a small business owner or team leader, you've likely felt the pressure to build a stronger, more aligned team. One that’s energized, collaborative, and capable of delivering consistent results. Strengths-based assessments are powerful tools for unlocking your team’s potential - but only if you pick the one that fits your goals. This guide compares the top strengths assessments for leaders and teams in 2025 - including CliftonStrengths, VIA, Working Genius, and more - so you can make a smart investment that actually moves your team forward. This is backed by current research and my own experience as an ICF coach and Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. Let's dig in. Why Use Strengths Assessments in Leadership?Researchers at Gallup have found that when people use their strengths at work, they are:
That's huge. But not all “strengths” tools are the same. Some measure values. Others measure how you take action. Others show where you bring energy to work. The right tool depends on your leadership goals and your team’s specific challenges. Quick Comparison: What’s the Best Strengths Tool for My Team?
Which Strengths Assessment is Right for You?1. CliftonStrengthsBest For: CliftonStrengths is a great tool for leadership development, team alignment, employee engagement. It provides actionable information that can be good for individual and team development. Working with a Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths coach can be a great way to engage this. What It Measures: This assessment measures natural talents across 34 themes like Strategic, Learner, and Relator. While the assessment measures all 34 themes, you can purchases either your top 5 or all 34. My own top five are Achiever, Relator, Learner, Input, and Strategic. When to Use:
Pro Tip: Use full 34 reports for leadership development; Top 5 is great for teams on a budget. Used by over 27 million people worldwide; backed by decades of workplace research 2. VIA Character StrengthsBest For: VIA is best for values-driven cultures, well-being initiatives, personal growth. it can be a great tool for understanding what sits beneath your team and leadership priorities. What It Measures: VIA measures 24 universal character strengths like Gratitude, Fairness, and Curiosity. These are not so much strengths of performance but your strength of character (how much you align with what you value). Pro Tip: Pair with values workshops for deeper conversations When to Use:
Developed by leaders in positive psychology, backed by global studies and translations 3. Working GeniusBest For: Patrick Lencioni's Working Genius model is great for teams stuck in execution, project flow issues, entrepreneurial teams. It helps people understand where they naturally excel on their teams. What It Measures: Working Genius measures energy zones in 6 stages of work: Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, Tenacity. When to Use:
Pro Tip: Identify team-wide gaps to fill key roles - not just personalities Newer tool with strong early adoption (e.g. Amy Porterfield); ideal for startups, builders, and execution teams 4. Strengths Profile (CAPP)Best For: CAPP is best for career coaching conversations, energy management, personal growth. It is used for developmental conversations that use strengths to improve work, life, and relationships. What It Measures: CAPP measures the realized and unrealized strengths, learned behaviors, and weaknesses. It uses 60 strength areas and allows for a wide breadth of strength profiles. When to Use:
Pro Tip: Focus on unrealized strengths for development opportunities Used by BBC, Microsoft, and international universities; strong research base 5. High5 Strengths TestBest For: The High5 Test is useful as for quick-start coaching, new leaders, and low-budget teams. It is a more simplified tool and its free entry point makes it accessible to those not wanting to spend money to get initial results. What It Measures: High5 measures 20 strengths based on what energizes you (e.g., Problem Solver, Coach, Catalyst). These are similar to CliftonStrengths but less in-depth. After using both of these in my own work, I have found CliftonStrengths to be more useful and detailed. When to Use:
Pro Tip: This can be great for younger teams or early in leadership development when on a budget Validated by new research studies; free entry point for self-awareness 6. Kolbe A IndexBest For: Kolbe A is best for hiring, time management, and team efficiency considerations. It is a more formalized tool used by corporations. What It Measures: Kolbe measures conative strengths, which is how people take action instinctively. This instinctual component gets at the heart of how people will respond in many situations. When to Use:
Pro Tip: Combine with CliftonStrengths for talent + work style view Long-time business tool; less academic research but widely used 7. SDI 2.0 (CoreStrengths)Best For: SDI is a useful tool for conflict resolution and improving team relationships. It is focused more on these team dynamics and can be helpful for team development work. What It Measures: SDI measures the core motivations under normal and stressful conditions. This can give insight into the differences in these approaches, leading to valuable team conversations. When to Use:
Pro Tip: Use in partnership or leadership teams under pressure Trusted in military, healthcare, and Fortune 500 teams for relational insights 8. Enneagram (RHETI 2.5)Best For: The Enneagram is best for deep introspection, empathy, and team bonding. It is not so much an assessment as an exploration of your key motivations. What It Measures: Enneagram measures 9 personality types based on core motivations and fears. These reveal the deeper, often hidden, motivations behind what you do. It is often best to explore the different types for personal discovery, rather than use an assessment. If you have to use one, the RHETI is what I would recommend. When to Use:
Pro Tip: Use skilled facilitation to avoid stereotyping Popular in coaching and leadership retreats; mixed scientific support Final Thoughts on Choosing a Strengths AssessmentChoosing a strengths assessment can be a great option for accessing team and personal development. It can provide language that deepens awareness and gives you new insights into how to be be at your best.
Choosing the right assessment for your needs is essential. Hopefully this analysis of the best strengths assessments has been helpful for your process. If you would like to dig into your results, especially around assessments like CliftonStrengths, I would love to partner with you. I have worked with teams across the country around their strengths. The results are improved performance, greater clarity, be higher work engagement. Send me an email to start the conversation today.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
|