An Introduction to the Analytical® CliftonStrengths Theme
Looking to learn more about Analytical? Whether you want to know more about how to use your Analytical theme to succeed, or how to help someone harness theirs, you've come to the right place.
You'll find definitions and descriptions made popular in the international bestseller StrengthsFinder 2.0, plus ideas for how to better understand and use this CliftonStrengths theme.
What Is the Definition of Analytical?
Analytical and the rest of the CliftonStrengths themes are comprised of natural talents that Gallup has identified through decades of research.
People exceptionally talented in the Analytical theme search for reasons and causes. They have the ability to think about all of the factors that might affect a situation.
People complete the CliftonStrengths assessment to learn which of the 34 themes, like Analytical, are strongest in them.
The following theme description highlights the thoughts, feelings and behaviors you are likely to experience if you have strong Analytical:
Your Analytical theme challenges other people: "Prove it. Show me why what you are claiming is true." In the face of this kind of questioning, some will find that their brilliant theories wither and die. For you, this is precisely the point.
You do not necessarily want to destroy other people's ideas, but you do insist that their theories be sound. You see yourself as objective and dispassionate. You like data because they are value free. They have no agenda. Armed with these data, you search for patterns and connections.
You want to understand how certain patterns affect one another. How do they combine? What is their outcome? Does this outcome fit with the theory being offered or the situation being confronted? These are your questions.
You peel the layers back until, gradually, the root cause or causes are revealed. Others see you as logical and rigorous. Over time they will come to you in order to expose someone's "wishful thinking" or "clumsy thinking" to your refining mind.
It is hoped that your analysis is never delivered too harshly. Otherwise, others may avoid you when that "wishful thinking" is their own.
Analytical is a theme in the Strategic Thinking domain of CliftonStrengths.
People with dominant Strategic Thinking themes like Analytical absorb and analyze information that informs better decisions.
Each of the 34 CliftonStrengths sort to one of four domains -- Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building and Strategic Thinking. These domains help you understand how to use individual CliftonStrengths to succeed when you join, create or lead a team.
Learn more about the CliftonStrengths domainsHow to Better Understand Your Analytical Theme
Making the most of your Analytical talents starts with gaining valuable insights into what you naturally do best.
How people with strong Analytical talents describe themselves:
- "I am logical and objective in my approach."
- "I need time to think."
- "I love data and facts."
- "I hate things that are not or cannot be proven."
- "I bring dispassionate thinking to emotional issues."
How to Apply Your Analytical to Succeed
The most successful people invest in their strongest talents. The only way to develop your Analytical talents is to use them every day -- at work, at home and everywhere else. The following are a few ideas for how to apply your Analytical to achieve your goals:
Work With Analytical: Make sure that your accumulation and analysis of information always leads to its application and implementation. Partner with someone with strong Activator talents. This person will help ensure that your analysis doesn't turn into paralysis.
Lead With Analytical: Volunteer your Analytical talents. You can be particularly helpful to those who are struggling to organize large quantities of data or having a hard time bringing structure to their ideas.
Live With Analytical: Your mind is constantly working and producing insightful analysis. Are others aware of that? Find the best way of expressing your thoughts: writing, one-on-one conversations, group discussions, perhaps lectures or presentations. Put value to your thoughts by communicating them.
Check out our in-depth videos from Gallup experts for more ways to use Analytical to make the most of your potential.
Analytical:
If You're a Manager With Analytical
Your Analytical talent makes you stronger. Lead with your strengths so both you and your team can succeed. A strengths-based approach to management will lead to:
- better conversations
- stronger partnerships
- higher team engagement
- greater collaboration
For manager-specific insights and strategies, check out your CliftonStrengths for Managers report and explore your top 10 themes and how you can use them to reach your goals.
Discovering the collective talents of your team using the CliftonStrengths assessment is just the first step.
To successfully manage or lead others, you must individualize your approach. You must understand what makes each of your team members unique. And you must lead meaningful conversations about performance that focus on what each person naturally does best.
An Example of Managing Team Members With Analytical
Because the accuracy of work is so important to them, they may prioritize getting a task done correctly over meeting a deadline. Therefore, as the deadline draws near, keep checking in with them to ensure that they have the necessary time to do it right.
Use the CliftonStrengths Assessment to Discover More About Analytical
How Strong Are Your Analytical Talents?
Purchase CliftonStrengths 34 to reveal your complete unique talent profile and learn just how strong your Analytical talents are. You'll get personalized insights into your CliftonStrengths results and ideas for maximizing your potential.
How to Work With Others With Strong Analytical Talents
Gallup offers resources and products you can use to help others succeed by developing their Analytical theme and all their CliftonStrengths.