Soft skills are becoming increasingly important on the job market, so many people focus on this aspect of personal development.
All kinds of tests and surveys available in online formats are helpful in discovering talents and strengths. Probably the most popular of these is the CliftonStrengths, known in Poland as the Gallup test. After years of research and interviews, scientists from the Gallup Institute isolated 34 most common models of human talent and developed a test to identify them. Is it worth doing and what can we learn?
The test is available at gallup.com in two versions:
After selecting the option you need to make a payment and wait for the access code. After typing it in the right place you can start the test.
It is worth noting that on the website there are also variants of the test available for children (Clifton StrengthsExplorer), pupils and students (top 5 and 34 versions), as well as for managers. Unfortunately only the basic version of the test is available in Polish.
On the website you can also find a lot of information about the test itself and individual talents.
Remember that in order to take the test you need to have suitable conditions. First of all you need peace and quiet, a computer with access to the Internet and about 45 minutes of free time, because this is how long it takes to complete the whole test. Before you start, make sure you choose Polish, especially if your English is not very good.
The survey consists of 177 pairs of statements and a five-point scale, you mark on it which of them you agree with more. It is important not to get distracted while answering the question as you only have 20 seconds to answer the question and there is no possibility to go back to the previous question or change your mind. For dyslexics, there is an option to turn off the timer.
After analyzing your answers, the algorithm generates a short general report about your top 5 talents and a detailed report, as well as a personalized one with their description. If you feel this is not enough, you can purchase the full variant which includes all 34 talents, divided into 4 main domains: executive, influencing, relationship building and strategic thinking.
The creators of the test use the term “talent” to describe the natural predisposition of each person to do something, think and react in a certain way. Talents are encoded in DNA and are formed approximately until the age of 20 under the influence of the environment, i.e. family, teachers, peers, etc. A well-developed talent becomes mature and can be your strength.
According to the study’s creators, it helps identify five dominant, core talents that are an inexhaustible source of human strength. It also explains how these traits can be used in work and life. It does not, however, show specific skills or tell us which career path is best to take. Rather, it points out human potential and opportunities for development, as well as universal traits. It is only up to you how you use them. If you want to work on yourself and discover your potential, the Gallup test will definitely help you do that.
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