The CliftonStrengths assessment, formerly known as StrengthsFinder, is a popular personal development tool that focuses on identifying and leveraging an individual’s unique strengths. Developed by Gallup, the assessment is based on decades of research by psychologist Don Clifton and aims to help individuals understand and maximize their natural talents.
The CliftonStrengths assessment consists of a series of questions that measure an individual’s preferences and tendencies across 34 distinct talent themes. These themes represent different aspects of human behavior and provide insights into an individual’s innate strengths and areas of potential excellence.
Once completed, the assessment generates a personalized report that ranks an individual’s top five strengths out of the 34 talent themes. The report provides detailed descriptions and explanations of each strength, offering valuable insights into how these strengths can be applied to various aspects of life, including personal relationships, education, career, and leadership.
One of the key benefits of the CliftonStrengths Career assessments is its emphasis on building on strengths rather than fixing weaknesses. By understanding and leveraging their unique strengths, individuals can enhance their performance, engagement, and overall satisfaction in different areas of their lives. The assessment helps individuals discover their natural talents, develop a language to describe their strengths, and learn how to harness them effectively.
The CliftonStrengths assessment has been widely adopted in various contexts, including personal development, team building, leadership development, career counseling, and organizational development. It provides a common framework and language for individuals and teams to discuss and leverage their strengths, fostering collaboration, productivity, and success.
By utilizing the CliftonStrengths assessment, individuals gain self-awareness, improve their understanding of their talents, and develop strategies to apply their strengths in their personal and professional lives. It enables individuals to focus on what they naturally do best and empowers them to achieve greater levels of success and fulfillment.
The MAPP (Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential) assessment and the CliftonStrengths assessment are both popular career assessments but differ in their focus and purpose. Here are the key differences between the two:
1. Focus:
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- MAPP Career Assessment: The MAPP career assessment focuses on providing a comprehensive view of an individual’s interests, motivations, work preferences, and personality traits. It aims to help individuals gain insights into various dimensions of their career-related attributes and explore potential career paths.
- CliftonStrengths Assessment: The CliftonStrengths assessment focuses specifically on identifying an individual’s top strengths out of 34 talent themes. It aims to help individuals understand and leverage their unique strengths to excel in various areas of their life, including their careers.
2. Focus:Assessment Approach:
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- MAPP Assessment: The MAPP career assessment utilizes a multifaceted approach, combining multiple dimensions such as interests, motivations, work preferences, and personality traits to provide a well-rounded understanding of an individual’s career potential.
- CliftonStrengths Assessment: The CliftonStrengths assessment is primarily focused on identifying an individual’s strengths and talents. It provides insights into areas where the individual has a natural inclination for success and encourages them to develop and apply those strengths in their career.
3. Report and Results:
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- MAPP Assessment: The MAPP career assessment generates a comprehensive report that highlights an individual’s primary interest areas, personality traits, and potential career paths. It provides detailed information on specific industries, job roles, and potential employers that align with the individual’s interests and strengths.
- CliftonStrengths Assessment: The CliftonStrengths assessment provides individuals with a report that lists their top five strengths out of the 34 talent themes. The report focuses on describing and understanding these specific strengths, offering guidance on how to leverage them for personal and professional growth.
4. Application:
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- MAPP career Assessment: The MAPP assessment is often used for career exploration, academic and career planning, and making informed decisions about educational and professional paths. It is suitable for individuals seeking a comprehensive understanding of their career-related attributes.
- CliftonStrengths Assessment: The CliftonStrengths assessment is commonly used for personal development, leadership development, and building on individuals’ strengths to enhance their performance and engagement in various areas of life, including work.
Ultimately, the choice between the MAPP career assessment and the CliftonStrengths assessment depends on the specific goals and needs of individuals. The MAPP assessment provides a broader view of career-related attributes, while the CliftonStrengths assessment focuses specifically on strengths and talents. Both assessments can offer valuable insights to support individuals in their personal and professional growth.