Soar with Your Strengths: A Simple Yet Revolutionary Philosophy of Business and Management

by Donald O. Clifton, Paula Nelson

A groundbreaking, inspiring book for businesses, managers, and individuals on how to achieve the absolute best by focusing on strengths and steering away from weaknesses, this revolutionary, humanistic approach to business will transform companies, build careers, and change lives.

Genres: Business, Self Help, Nonfiction, Personal Development, Psychology, Professional Development, Leadership

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I firmly believe the principles of this book, but I just didn't care much for the delivery. This is a totally adequate primer if you're not familiar with the strengths theory, but it's pretty fluffy and can be summed up in these three points:

1. Focus on strengths and manage the weaknesses.

2. Create a mission statement, and live it.

3. Relationships help to define who we are and what we can become, so manage and cultivate relationships.

Read Now, Discover Your Strengths instead.

[Chris Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The basic premise of the book is to focus on one's strengths while managing one's weaknesses. I don't recall whether or not there is much practical application b/c I only remember how revolutionary this idea was to me back when I first read it. I found it again recently on a discount shelf and quickly bought it and read it again. Really a great book, especially for the person who is prone to discouragement.

[Dave Warawa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have purchased this book many times for my clients. It will cause you to change the way you approach personal development. By concentrating on someone's strengths and managing their weaknesses you build self esteem. As their confidence increases, their strengths become so acute that their weaknesses managed properly seem trivial. I highly recommend it.

[Gila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned that you don't have to be good at everything. Instead of wasting time working on your weaknesses, focus on what you are best at and develop your strengths. (singing) ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE!

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is now known as CliftonStrengths® started with the simple idea of focusing on what is right with people rather than what's wrong with them.

Today almost 27 million CliftonStrengths® assessments have been taken. There is something about having a common language around what you do well that is encouraging.

This is a great introduction to the Strengths, it was fun reading this original edition and some of the names Dr. Clifton used in referencing the Strengths. Most of the "modern" names are pretty fitting but I recognized most that he referenced in the book.

I wouldn't necessarily recommend starting with this book if you're new to CliftonStrengths® if you want to learn more about the work around Strengths done by Gallup® visit: www.cliftonstrengths.com and learn more.

You are also welcome to tag me!

[Mark Hirschfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don hired me in 1981 to work for what was then called SRI. SRI later bought Gallup, which is what the company is now called. Don was a remarkable man. This book so nicely established how you can better understand and utilize your strengths. It was an honor to know him, and in my life and professional work I think of him and his work often.

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book last year for work (my principal suggested I read it). It was a bit dated, but overall, it was pretty good, even eye-opening and thought-provoking at a few points. I gather that it's the third book in a popular series. I don't plan to read the first two, though I'm tempted. Plenty of newer books of a similar vein are waiting to be read.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great exploration of why it makes sense to figure out what you do well and then do more of it, and why focusing on areas of strength gets us a much better return than trying to fix weaknesses. Highly recommended.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Focus on your strengths and manage your weaknesses.

A quick read, putting words to a lot of the practices I do for myself. As a new manager, I think some of the methodologies will be useful to help my reports grow.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dated references and stats, but fantastic content and philosophy.

[Emilie22 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Pretty good but nothing crazy and found the original (Strength Finder) to be more valuable.

[EMP · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Simple? Yes. Revolutionary? Maybe. Enough for an entire book rather than a well written article? IMO, no.

[aliyahrambely · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book makes me thing. Am I in the wrong path?

[Kathy Bryson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the simple philosophy of focusing on what you do well, not what you aren’t good at, or don’t enjoy.

[Merrijane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always cringe when they assign a book to read at work. I just know it's going to be boring, and that all my coworkers will be using its key buzzwords for the next six months. But this wasn't too bad. It had a positive, uplifting message about focusing on strengths instead of weaknesses (ours and others). It also had some practical exercises for discovering strengths and tips on how to develop them. I think this would be especially helpful for managers hoping to encourage their employees, and individuals who want to choose a career suited to them.

It was a tiny bit trite, however, plus there were some things I consider to be outright falsehoods. For instance, the book repeatedly insinuates that weaknesses can only be "managed" not overcome, so don't bother wasting your time trying to change yourself--mainly focus on developing your strengths. This flies in the face of both my religious beliefs and my personal experience. Also, I can see assertions like that leading to all kinds of justifications for bad behavior. To be clear, I don't think the book is saying bad behavior is okay, I just think some readers could take it that way.

[JP · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit simplistic in style but the point rings clear and true. The thesis is "focus on strengths, manage weakness." They highlight the benefits of this approach and advocate it across all levels of effort (individual, manager, and organization). In defending this blinders approach, the also argue that strong knowledge in one area enables and integrating point for knowledge in others. Their 5 characteristics of a strength: yearning, satisfaction, rapid leaning (initially and then ongoing learning), glimpses of excellence, and total performance of excellence. They also point out that people with multiple strengths need to pick one and not let their other strengths distract them. Finally, they discuss 4 necessary catalysts: mission, relationships, expectations, and celebration.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soar With Your Strengths is the original "source text" for the concept of CliftonStrengths (aka StrengthsQuest). I've been working with Strengths for a lot of my career, and I'd somehow never read this one. The edition I found was even before the assessment was even a thing. I appreciated that this helped me understand where the stuff I've been referencing for years legit came from. It's a little odd that I've waited this long to take it back to where it all began, but also I feel like having all the practical experience was a good full circle reflection. I'm definitely planning on infusing some of this book as I continue to work with Strengths going forward. Also, if you ever want to talk Strengths, HMU.

[Lazarus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really dislike motivational career building books. That being said the concept or subject matter I found to be very true, useful, and the most important characteristic of all.....unique. Why waste you and everyone else’s time on what we aren’t good at. Focus on feeding and cultivating what we are good at. My only knock against this book (outside of my general disdain for books of this nature) is that each chapter is a reiteration of the same idea. So after awhile it felt like we were beating a dead horse. I recommend this book to young professionals and managers. (1992)

[Lychee · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the latest human resources/career development kicks. I've taken the assessment and now trying to learn more about the whole philosophy and how to think about making the results more useful/meaningful to me. This is a quick read that lays out the basic ideas. I'm interested enough that I'll read some more. Plus it's giving me some ideas of how to think about how I might characterize my strengths in a way that's useful to me as I think about where to go next with my life.

[Barry Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the Gallup organization. Makes a cogent argument to identify and grow strengths and manage weaknesses. Many organizations spend too much time trying to improve what people are bad at doing rather than enhancing what they do well. Helps you identify weaknesses and strengths, write personal mission statements, build relationships and celebrate your victories. Second half of the book got a bit contrived (too many how-to’s).

[Soly Azari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the thesis of this book.We live in a society that tells us that we can do anything if we just work hard enough. This book challenges that and introduces the counter intuitive notion that we would be far more successful if we just continue to get better at the things we are naturally good at.

[Charmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Strengths develop best when sufficient time is devoted to a single subject or goal.

2. Manage weaknesses to minimize energy drain, try 'enlightened delegation.'

3. Think of others in terms of THEIR strengths.

4. Peer recognition is the most powerful form of celebration.

5. Acknowledge new hires by name in their first hours in a new position (higher retention rate).

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: B+

I recommend this book. I agree with its premise: Master your Stengths; Manage your Shortcomings. Love the introductory parable as well as the Nine Principles of Relationships. Practical read.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

makes perfect sense. if you're good at it, do it. if you suck at it, STOP.

but also offers ideas & techniques to manage and balance your talents--I've already begun incorporating some of these.
So glad I stole this from a friend's bookshelf while housesitting. Thanks Nick!

[Slynn Bookster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book multiple times and used it in school, coaching, and church. The subject matter applies to everyone at any age, whatever their path. Society would be a different place if people spent more time thriving in their strengths than wallowing in their weaknesses.

[Pam Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books on Strengths I have read.

[Nick Woodall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ORIGINAL strengths book! Awesome!

[Christophe Druet · Rating 5 out of 5]

It helps a lot in rediscovering own strengths. It advocates for stopping wasting energy in fixing weaknesses. Motivational, especially if the company you are working for embraces this philosophy.

[Jordan Willing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love strength theory. This is a great primer and instruction booklet for strengthfinders. Well worth the time to read and develop a strategy focused on your strengths.

[X · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good introduction to strength-based living/working. an easy read with very implementable ideas.