The Arranger Theme: How You Can Productively Aim Your CliftonStrengths Talent

Gallup StrengthsFinder Arranger definition: People exceptionally talented in the Arranger theme can organize, but they also have a flexibility that complements this ability. They like to determine how all of the pieces and resources can be arranged for maximum productivity.

• A juggler. A conductor. A multitasker.

If you have Arranger in your Top 5 or Signature Themes, you've likely heard someone use one of these phrases to describe you -- or perhaps you've used them yourself! Arrangers like complexity, intricacy, motion and configuring people and systems for optimum results.

Their talents may focus primarily on systems or processes -- i.e., creating the perfect flow-chart (with enough flexibility built in for when circumstances change). Or their primary focus may be spatial and tactile -- i.e., arranging and rearranging the furniture to maximize the available space, esthetic considerations and traffic patterns.

It might be focused toward people and teams -- i.e., getting the right people in the right role to create an efficient, high-functioning team. Or it may be all three. The point is, those high in the Arranger StrengthsFinder theme have a way of getting things done using a flexible, organizational mindset that maximizes productivity.

Arranger: Helps and Hinders

When coaching those with Arranger as a Signature Theme, helping them claim both the "helps and hinders" of Arranger is critical to productive aiming. Some common helps and hinders of Arranger include:

Helps

• You likely have an innate ability to manage multiple projects and personalities at once. You have great multitasking skills.
• You are efficient and can help your team employ concise, clear ways to get things done.
• You tend to clearly see what others can do well, who would work together well and how teams can best achieve their outcomes.
• When circumstances change, you quickly see the implications and can change plans accordingly.

Hinders

• Your naturally flexible talent and organizational style can make it difficult for others to see the underlying system, structure and prioritization.
• You make adjustment quickly based on the changing circumstances or information, and as such you can leave people behind. Remember the middle-school algebra directive: Show your work.
• Your tendency to configure and reconfigure until it's right can leave others wondering if you are making changes simply for the sake of making changes. Help them understand the reason for reconfiguring.
• Even though your intuition about configuring systems, spaces and people for maximum efficiency is often on target, remember to ask for input from others -- they may see things that you don't.

Arranger: Self-Awareness, Self-Expression, Self-Regulation

To productively aim your Arranger CliftonStrengths theme at a particular goal, an individual must have: 1) good self-awareness about the theme's power, edge and vulnerabilities; 2) an understanding of how this theme finds expression in day-to-day thinking, feeling and behaving; and 3) the ability to regulate their Arranger to maximize the potential positive outcomes that can be achieved through intentionally applying a strengths-based approach. Coaches can help clients with strong Arranger talents by exploring some the following:

Self-Awareness

• The Power and Edge of Arranger: Those with high Arranger naturally gravitate toward complex systems, processes and teams that need an organizational nudge. They are natural conductors and efficiently move themselves and their teams toward successful outcomes.
• The Vulnerabilities of Arranger: With their natural ability to see patterns and quickly organize people, spaces and things, Arrangers often "get there" before anybody else. This can leave others questioning the soundness of their decision-making process. Also, their need to configure and reconfigure for maximum positive effect can give the impression that they are making changes out of boredom or for personal interest. As such, Arrangers can be viewed as valuing process over people.

Self-Expression

Coaches can help clients in realizing and claiming the expression of Arranger by helping them explore past instances when this theme has been particularly useful. To facilitate this exploration, coaches can ask the following questions:

• Tell me about your best day at work. What made it a great day? (Listen for expression of Arranger.)
• What big events have you planned that you are most proud?
• How do you help your team understand, adapt to and implement change?
• Tell me about a time when the circumstances or information changed and you had to change direction. What was the outcome?

Self-Regulation

Self-Regulation occurs when individuals know which of their talents to use in particular situations, or know which talents to combine to sharpen, accelerate or soften a specific talent. For example, Arrangers often see what needs to be reconfigured and then set about making the necessary changes -- without bringing the rest of the team up to speed. It is then that a coach can help the client find other talents they might use to keep teammates in the loop. Coaches can also help clients explore different theme combinations that will improve communication and team outcomes. Below are some possible combinations that will either accelerate or soften Arranger:

• Themes that tend to accelerate or sharpen Arranger: Activator, Focus, Command, Achiever, Competition, Maximizer, Self-Assurance
• Themes that tend to soften Arranger: Relator, Empathy, Individualization, Communication, Deliberative, Includer, Developer

Arranger: Five Powerful Questions for Productive Aiming

• How do you measure and keep track of what you accomplish each day?
• What is the most complex project you will face in the next quarter? What obstacles may arise and what are your plans for overcoming them?
• Whom do you need to enlist as an ally to ensure that your plans and course corrections are adequately communicated?
• Is your team adequately resourced to accomplish their goals and objectives? How can you help organize things to more efficiently accomplish the right outcomes?
• How do you know when you are successful? How do you celebrate your successes?