A Guide to Understanding the CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder) Ideation Talent Theme
Gallup’s StrengthsFinder identifies the innate strengths of individuals, which are improved to help them reach their truest potential.
The CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder) ideation talent theme is one of 34 unique talent themes in the Gallup StrengthsFinder Assessment.
You may have the ideation talent theme or know someone with the ideation talent theme. Understanding more about talent themes can help strengthen your existing skill sets and improve interpersonal relations.
The Power Of The CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder) Ideation Talent Theme
Individuals with the ideation talent theme are natural innovators who are constantly looking out for opportunities and methods to apply new dimensions of insight in a given situation. They love novel ideas that may seem impossible or abstract to others and tend to approach an objective with a strategy that is out of the box.
A person with the ideation talent theme enjoys gazing beneath the surface of a seemingly complex ideology and connecting all the seemingly random dots to form the simple concept that was there all along. Ideas are often conceived in bulk and at a flash for individuals with the ideation talent theme, which makes them extremely effective in the brainstorming process. Through powerful mind-mapping and free association skills, people with a strong ideation talent theme can form meaningful connections between disparate concepts and advance current ideas and technologies.
Individuals with the ideation talent theme are more likely to defy the boundaries of convention and challenge the norms that obstruct the path of others.
What the CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder) Ideation Theme Loves
Individuals with the CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder) ideation talent theme appreciate creativity and innovation. They find the conceptualization of ideas thrilling and deeply fulfilling. The novel possibilities at the workplace, through their businesses and everything else they do, drive them onward toward success. They enjoy breaking down mainstream cul-de-sacs to bring forth innovative and effective solutions.
People with the ideation talent theme tend to set their sights on fresh and sometimes profound perspectives. They entertain ideas that have the potential to alter the course of the world and hopefully improve the status quo. Ideas are extremely fascinating to someone with the ideation talent theme, which defines how they will act and perform in any environment that they find themselves in.
These individuals are always on the lookout for opportunities to share their bold ideas and suggestions with the community at large. As such, they enjoy inspiring change and asking how something works and how it can be done differently. People with the ideation talent theme are not out to challenge current systems due to stubbornness, but through an innate desire to realise brave new possibilities and for the adventure in thinking out of the box.
What The CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder) Ideation Theme Hates
Individuals with the CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder) ideation talent theme dislike stale concepts and repetition. They’re easily bored and might find fixed routines unbearable and stifling. People with the ideation theme do not appreciate having their ideas shot down or ignored for the sake of conformity.
When working with someone who has the ideation talent theme, present them with opportunities to brainstorm, and contribute to ongoing discussions.
Provide an open platform that enables these individuals to sharpen their thinking processes and share their insightful results with the team. The greatest peeve for people with the ideation talent theme is perhaps when they’re told something is impossible – their spirit of inquiry and innovation simply won’t buy it.
Ideation’s Basement Behaviours
When the ideation talent theme is pushed too hard, individuals may become isolated or impractical.
Here are 3 negative behaviours of ideation:
- Non-conformist – people with the ideation talent theme may be resistant to feedback from others due to their fixation with personal ideas. This could lead to poor teamwork and disadvantageous toward rallying people in realising a concept or idea. This can be mitigated by encouraging interaction and contributions, or being generally more receptive towards the ideas of individuals with the ideation talent theme.
- Easily Distracted – Since fresh ideas pop up at an exponential rate, people with the ideation talent theme may find it difficult to stay focused on an idea before it flits away. In severe cases, a weakened concentration could lead to inconsistencies and a lack of commitment in thought and action. Others can help reduce this by redirecting the flow of a discussion if it seems to stray while individuals with the talent may consider penning down their thoughts for future reference and resumption.
- Incomprehensible – people with the ideation talent theme may be operating at a different frequency as compared to mainstream thinkers. A failure to relay their ideas or processes in layman’s terms may result in confusion and communication problems among interpersonal relations. Frequent exposure to communication and discussions will help ideation individuals adapt to varying frequencies and render ideas more accessible to everyone.
Ideation’s Best Contributions
The sky’s the limit for individuals with CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder) ideation talent theme. They thrive in work environments that reward them for their ideas – such as journalism, the arts, marketing and advertising.
People with the ideation theme may augment their talent by seeking a mentor who possesses a combination of activator and analytical talent themes. This collaboration will help refine raw ideas and steer them toward more actionable purposes.
In summary, the power of individuals with the CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder) ideation talent theme lies in the ability to create new possibilities. They’re creative, imaginative, innovative and astute in observing and establishing the underlying subtleties in a system or idea.
Ideation individuals excel at providing new angles and fresh perspectives on issues that seem to baffle everyone else. Although they might defy convention, the paradox remains that it takes individuals with ideation to set precedence in convention.
StrengthsAsia has helped many individual and corporate clients all throughout the region in identifying and maximizing their talents, in driving engagement and increasing motivation in their work and life.
If you want to learn more about the 34 talent themes or discover how you can apply your talent themes in the areas of your work and your life, feel free to reach out to us here.
A devotee at the altar of language and a celebrant of expression. Laurenzo has written for various SMEs, MNCs, startups and international brands over the last three years. He specializes in topics of psychology, lifestyle, employee management, and digital trends.