An Introduction to the Relator® CliftonStrengths Theme
Looking to learn more about Relator? Whether you want to know more about how to use your Relator 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 Relator?
Relator 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 Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal.
People complete the CliftonStrengths assessment to learn which of the 34 themes, like Relator, are strongest in them.
The following theme description highlights the thoughts, feelings and behaviors you are likely to experience if you have strong Relator:
Relator describes your attitude toward your relationships. In simple terms, the Relator theme pulls you toward people you already know. You do not necessarily shy away from meeting new people -- in fact, you may have other themes that cause you to enjoy the thrill of turning strangers into friends -- but you do derive a great deal of pleasure and strength from being around your close friends.
You are comfortable with intimacy. Once the initial connection has been made, you deliberately encourage a deepening of the relationship. You want to understand their feelings, their goals, their fears, and their dreams; and you want them to understand yours. You know that this kind of closeness implies a certain amount of risk -- you might be taken advantage of -- but you are willing to accept that risk.
For you, a relationship has value only if it is genuine. And the only way to know that is to entrust yourself to the other person. The more you share with each other, the more you risk together. The more you risk together, the more each of you proves your caring is genuine. These are your steps toward real friendship, and you take them willingly.
Relator is a theme in the Relationship Building domain of CliftonStrengths
People with dominant Relationship Building themes like Relator build strong relationships that hold a team together and make it greater than the sum of its parts.
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 Relator Theme
Making the most of your Relator talents starts with gaining valuable insights into what you naturally do best.
How people with strong Relator talents describe themselves:
- "I am genuine and authentic."
- "I need time and opportunities for one-on-one interactions."
- "I love close, caring, mutual relationships."
- "I hate the initial social discomfort of meeting someone new."
- "I bring social depth and transparency."
How to Apply Your Relator to Succeed
The most successful people invest in their strongest talents. The only way to develop your Relator 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 Relator to achieve your goals:
Work With Relator: You probably prefer to be seen as a person, an equal or a friend rather than as a function, a superior or a title. Let people know that they can address you by your first name rather than formally.
Lead With Relator: Deliberately learn as much as you can about the people you meet. You like knowing about people, and other people like being known. By doing this, you will act as a catalyst for trusting relationships.
Live With Relator: You might tend to withhold the most engaging aspects of your personality until you have sensed openness from another person. Remember, building relationships is not a one-way street. Proactively "put yourself out there." Others will quickly see you for the genuine individual you are, and you will create many more opportunities to cultivate strong, long-lasting connections.
Check out our in-depth videos from Gallup experts for more ways to use Relator to make the most of your potential.
Relator:
If You're a Manager With Relator
Your Relator 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 Relator
Tell your employees with strong Relator talents that you care about them. Strong Relators organize their life around their close relationships, so it's important for them to know where they stand with you.
Use the CliftonStrengths Assessment to Discover More About Relator
How Strong Are Your Relator Talents?
Purchase CliftonStrengths 34 to reveal your complete unique talent profile and learn just how strong your Relator talents are. You'll get personalized insights into your CliftonStrengths results and ideas for maximizing your potential.
How to Work With Others With Strong Relator Talents
Gallup offers resources and products you can use to help others succeed by developing their Relator theme and all their CliftonStrengths.