Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
CliftonStrengths is an assessment developed by Gallup that identifies a person’s unique
combination of talents. It helps individuals understand what they naturally do best,
so they can develop those talents into strengths and thrive personally and professionally.
The assessment offers insight into your top talents, helping you maximize your potential,
improve how you work with others, and make more informed career, leadership, and life
decisions.
The full assessment takes about 30–45 minutes. It consists of 177 paired statements,
and you’ll choose which one best describes you—with only 20 seconds to respond to
each pair.
Students will receive a personalized Strengths Report that includes your Top 5 themes.
The report provides descriptions and strategies for applying your strengths.
Your dominant themes typically remain stable over time, though minor shifts can occur.
Strengths can also evolve through intentional development and life experiences.
A talent is a natural way of thinking, feeling, or behaving. A strength is a talent
that has been refined with investment (time, skill-building, and practice).
No. Unlike personality tests that categorize you, CliftonStrengths highlights your
unique combinations of talents and focuses on development, not labeling.
It promotes self-awareness, appreciation of differences, and team synergy. Understanding
each other’s strengths enhances communication, collaboration, and productivity.
Yes. CliftonStrengths is based on decades of research by Gallup in the fields of positive
psychology, performance, and human potential.
Absolutely. It can guide students in choosing majors, navigating campus involvement,
improving relationships, and preparing for careers by aligning strengths with goals.
While the report offers helpful insights on its own, working with a certified CliftonStrengths
coach can deepen your understanding and help you apply your strengths more intentionally
in your life, academics, or career.
The 34 themes represent natural patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior. They are
grouped into four domains: Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building, and Strategic
Thinking. You can receive your Top 5 themes or your Full 34 in ranked order.
Gallup generally does not recommend retaking the assessment unless there were unusual
circumstances (e.g., distractions or pressure). Your dominant talents are likely to
remain consistent over time.
Not at all. CliftonStrengths is used widely with college students, faculty, staff,
and professionals across industries. It’s helpful for leadership development, career
planning, relationship building, and personal growth.
UH has invested in student codes, so students have access to the assessment at no
cost. Faculty, staff, and departments do pay a fee to cover the costs of the assessment.
Yes. Many organizations and institutions use it to build high-performing teams, enhance
collaboration, and help teams appreciate diverse strengths and contributions.
CliftonStrengths focuses on what’s right with people, identifying their natural talents
and how to develop them into productive strengths. It's growth-focused rather than
type-based.
It won’t tell you what to do, but it can help you align your choices (majors, careers,
leadership roles) with your natural strengths, giving you a personalized roadmap for
success.
Start by:
- Naming your strengths and learning what they mean
- Claiming how they show up in your daily life
- Aiming your strengths toward your goals
This is known as the Name It, Claim It, Aim It model.
Yes. When overused or misapplied, strengths can become barriers. For example, a person high in Responsibility may take on too much. Awareness and intentional use help avoid these pitfalls.
Got any questions? Email strengths@uh.edu.