StrengthsFinder 2.0: A New and Upgraded Edition of the Online Test from Gallup's Now, Discover Your Strengths

Our team all went through this assessment and I have to say we were all impressed at how on target the assessments were; it does help to convey a solid message of personal development that we all should heed: know your strengths, focus on your strengths, leverage your strengths, develop your strengths!

The one piece of consistent feedback on the assessment? People wanted to see a relative ranking of the strengths. The list of five does not really offer a way to understand *how much* of a strength something is, so bear that in mind when reading over the results.

Recommended.

well, the book itself is pretty slim, clear and logically structured. In truth - I like the book! The arguments seem understandable and in relation to the costs buying the book is a great bargain. The fact, that my wife has three of five abilities that make me "complete" in my way to power - is simply thrilling me. Even though there is always the light smell of someone making lots of money related to such "life-guiding" books and with internet-business and the sneaking suspicion that it all might not be so trustworthy or true at all.

Despite all those bad thoughts I have bought this book nine times(!) now, because with the book it "seems" you can "box" the psychological working behaviour of a team-member or person (specially oneself) pretty good - no: excellently. If you think positive to help him/her/us/them grow...

And there comes the BUT...
Of course one is tempted to "put people in boxes" with such a seamingly simple guide. (Whereas the simplicity is actually the books strength compared to related many-pages reports from consultancies). I think it is not enough to have five strenght items when the one tested appears to have time-, personal or lifemanagement-problems primarily (even though reduction is a way to gain better results and faster). Strengthening ones talents means also to work on personal deep-psychological issues arraising from the past. Which the book does not mention at all. To go for deep human understanding can not be accomplished by a book and in this way the book is too progressive and superfacial. Of course they do not claim to do else! Also one has the feeling that zodiacs in papers have a similar wording, which in other words means: of course everyone wants to have compliments and a positive insight into ones strengths but it is kept too general to not be seductively true to each and everyone.(Of course it fits to an extend, when you look at the questions of the test, that clearly are related to the themes...).

So it is wright, that one is more of something and that the other one has more abilities of something else. Which could honestly also be found out by looking at ones interests, behaviour, dreams and wishes without the book I think.

What I miss about the conclusio the most: whose fitting into the scheme of someone else is very important and that issue was not mentioned. Also which people clearly should stay away from each other without helping third parties is also not mentioned, because it could sound "negative" - I guess. BUT it is also very important! There are types of people that step on each others toes! So how do I handle someone very different, when going building up my strengths? how can I or the other person catch up with each others needs and understand it better? I also did not find any comparison charts, where from the begining on the need of assisting strengh-holders were listed to the complimentary strengths. In short words: everyone should get a list of needed strenghts people with complementary skills as well.

All in all a good black and white proof for things that you might know or not, might look at or not. Even better for checking the strengths of people that you might not know that well. The book itself could improve by not only telling what you should force on yourself, but how you get stronger, when correctly dealing with the strengths of others as well...

But Tom, many thanks for the book. Cheers.

This is a good book, if you buy it new and have access to the online test. Otherwise the book is rather pointless.

We loved the concept behind this book (and its Christian companion, "Living Your Strengths"). Our church staff took the (included with book) online StengthsFinder assessment and all found it very accurate and helpful in providing insights on what drives our fellow co-workers. It brings to light strengths you may not have identified previously and validates them - empowering you to explore and utilize them in new ways. We just ordered enough for our ministry leaders and church council and will be recommending it to our congregation as a very helpful tool not only for self-discovery, but also insight on others who have taken the StrengthsFinder assessment.

Sorry to all who really liked this book, but I have to disagree. I read it for a management class and it was so short and general, it really did not d anything for me. It has a typical "personality" type assessment test, but instead of really giving you a great interesting test it was composed of a very simple, short test that took about 10 minutes. From that, Rath's website examines where your strengths are. My test was probably only 50% accurate. Don't buy the used copies, more than likely someone ha already used the code in the back of the book and then the book is virtually useless....geee, wonderful sales gimick! This type og general test taking to "Discover Your Strengths" is giving the world false impressions. Combined with a formula of Talent X Investment = Strength, Rath hopes that he can convince people to not waste their time if they have no natural talent for something. These types of books only want ot sell to the public and do not really offer much of any analysis.