What’s the Deal with All These Strength Finders? A Straightforward Guide to Figuring Out Your Fit

So, you’re on a mission to discover your strengths, but which tool should you use? With options ranging from the research-backed classics to the more spiritually minded, we’ll help you break down what each one offers and how it can help you show up as your best self. Here’s a deeper dive into some of the most popular strengths finders, including the addition of Human Design—a fascinating one that mixes both science and spirituality.

1. CliftonStrengths (formerly StrengthsFinder)

Tagline: "Discover your top five standout talents."

What It Does: CliftonStrengths, developed by Gallup, is based on over 50 years of research. The assessment identifies your top five strengths out of 34 possible themes, such as “Achiever,” “Strategic,” and “Empathy.” Rather than focusing on weaknesses, it emphasizes leveraging your natural talents to excel in your personal and professional life. Each theme offers insight into how you can use these strengths to enhance your performance and productivity.

Why It’s Awesome: It’s great if you’re looking for a clear roadmap of what you do best and how to apply it. With CliftonStrengths, you get practical guidance on how to capitalize on your strengths, whether you’re aiming for career advancement, personal development, or leadership growth.

Who It’s Best For: People looking for a solid, research-backed understanding of their key strengths and how they can leverage them for growth and success.

2. Enneagram

Tagline: "The one that digs deep into your core motivations."

What It Does: The Enneagram takes a more emotional and psychological approach by categorizing individuals into one of nine personality types. These types include “The Achiever,” “The Peacemaker,” and “The Reformer,” among others. It digs deeper into your core motivations, fears, and desires, revealing why you behave the way you do, particularly under stress. It’s an introspective tool, helping you understand both your strengths and challenges.

Why It’s Awesome: It’s not just about what you’re good at; it’s about why you act and feel the way you do in different situations. This deeper level of self-awareness is incredibly helpful for personal relationships, conflict resolution, and emotional growth.

Who It’s Best For: People who want more than just a list of strengths—those who are interested in self-awareness, understanding their emotional drivers, and working on personal development from the inside out.

3. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

Tagline: "The one with all the letters."

What It Does: MBTI categorizes you into one of 16 personality types, each represented by a four-letter code (like INFJ or ESTP). It measures how you make decisions, interact with others, and process information. MBTI dives into your preferences across four key areas: Introversion/Extraversion, Sensing/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling, and Judging/Perceiving.

Why It’s Awesome: It’s an easy-to-understand tool that offers great insights into how you relate to the world around you. It’s commonly used in professional settings for team building and leadership development. MBTI’s biggest draw is its ability to help you understand your natural inclinations in decision-making and communication.

Who It’s Best For: People who want to understand how they interact with others, how they approach problem-solving, and how their personality influences their relationships and career choices.

4. DISC

Tagline: "The one that focuses on how you behave in different environments."

What It Does: The DISC assessment divides personality into four primary behavioral traits: Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C). It focuses specifically on how you act and react in different environments, such as work or social situations. Each trait has its own strengths and areas for development, and the assessment helps you figure out how to work with others effectively.

Why It’s Awesome: DISC is especially valuable in workplace settings, helping teams understand each other’s communication styles and behaviors. It’s practical, with clear takeaways for improving collaboration and leadership based on your personality style.

Who It’s Best For: People looking to understand their behavior at work, in teams, and in leadership roles. It’s also great for anyone interested in improving how they communicate and interact with others.

5. High5

Tagline: "The free one that’s surprisingly solid."

What It Does: High5 offers a free alternative to paid strength finders like CliftonStrengths. It identifies your top five strengths from a list of 20. While it’s not as extensive or research-backed as some other assessments, it provides a good entry-level understanding of where your talents lie, making it a great starting point for people exploring self-improvement.

Why It’s Awesome: It’s free, easy to use, and still delivers valuable insights into your strengths. Plus, it’s a good way to dip your toes into strengths assessments if you’re just starting out or on a budget.

Who It’s Best For: People looking for a no-cost, quick-and-dirty overview of their strengths without committing to a more detailed paid assessment.

6. Human Design

Tagline: "The one that blends science and spirituality."

What It Does: Human Design is a newer system that combines astrology, the I Ching, Kabbalah, and quantum physics to create a unique blueprint of your personality and life path. It assigns you a type (Manifestor, Generator, Projector, or Reflector), and then gives you an in-depth look at how you’re designed to make decisions, interact with others, and fulfill your purpose.

Why It’s Awesome: If you’re someone who likes both structure and a bit of mysticism, Human Design is fascinating. It helps you understand how you’re wired energetically, giving you insight into how to live in alignment with your natural rhythms. It’s especially helpful for those who feel out of sync with traditional methods of working and living.

Who It’s Best For: People interested in a holistic approach that combines self-awareness with a spiritual twist. If you’re into blending science and metaphysical concepts, Human Design offers a unique and personalized path to understanding yourself.

How to Choose the Right Strength Finder for You

• Want a research-backed deep dive into your strengths? Go with CliftonStrengths.

• Interested in your emotional drivers and core motivations? The Enneagram is your best bet.

• Looking to understand how your personality influences decisions and relationships? Try Myers-Briggs.

• Curious about your behavior in teams and work settings? DISC is the one for you.

• Need a free option for quick insights? High5 has you covered.

• Want a blend of science and spirituality? Human Design will give you a fresh, holistic perspective.

No matter which path you take, each of these tools offers something valuable to help you tap into your strengths and become the best version of yourself. Ready to start? Pick one and dive in—you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain!