Show me the data: the CliftonStrength of analytical
The CliftonStrength of Analytical sounds very much like what it is: People who have this as one of their top CliftonStrengths love analysis. They want the data and not just some of it. They want to see it all. They are the numbers-oriented, data-driven, facts-first type of people. You’ve likely known one or two in your day.
This is a strategic thinking strength. People with strong Analytical strength will gather all of the information and data, then filter it, distilling it to the most logical solution. They’re able to find simplicity in the midst of complexity because they love the data and facts; they ask the questions, they search for the reasons and causes, and they make an objective decision. They’re not swayed by emotion. They truly just want the facts.
Understanding the CliftonStrength of Analytical
Having an employee with this strength can be a fantastic benefit for your organization, but it’s important to appreciate it for what it is and understand what it isn’t. While these employees are very good at analysis and making subsequent, related decisions, they may be less enthusiastic about sharing them with a large group depending on their other top CliftonStrengths.
I recently held a workshop with a client company who had an employee with a very strong Analytical strength. He was widely recognized as being extremely skilled at distilling and filtering information. This guy could create an amazing spreadsheet! But he didn’t have any interest in presenting; he wasn’t driven to compete with others and climb the ladder in the way employees typically do in that company culture.
After she had this employee’s CliftonStrength in hand, his boss came to understand that a behind-the-scenes role might be better for him than a highly competitive role aimed at garnering new business. It’s a great example of how understanding your employees’ CliftonStrengths can help you be a better manager of people, help your employees thrive, and benefit the organization by maximizing the strengths of the talent you’ve hired.
Potential Conflict With the CliftonStrength of Analytical
Because this strength is about logic, data, thinking, and facts, you won’t often find it paired in someone’s top 5 with the CliftonStrength of Empathy. People with a strong Empathy strength easily sense other’s feelings and base decisions on their heart, as opposed to someone with a strong Analytical strength, who’s decisions are guided by their head.
This conflict could arise in a work setting when you need to make group decisions. The Analytical strength will view everything through a logical lens whereas people with the Empathy strength will want to know how people feel about it. When these two disagree on the proposed decision, it might look something like:
Empathy: Are you reading the room here?
Analytical. No, I’m reading the information!
Recognizing these employees’ strengths, and what they each bring to the table, is the first step in managing that conflict and helping them work better together.
Managing Employees With a Strong Analytical CliftonStrength
Give them a deadline. Analytical employees can experience analysis by paralysis: they want more and more information. A deadline will prompt them to use the information they have and make the decision in a timely manner.
Manage scope. Because of their love for data and innate skepticism, they’re inclined to analyze everything, even things that may not make business sense to spend time analyzing. Providing “analytical boundaries,” so to speak, will help them work more productively.
Acknowledge differences. As in the above example, people with this strength may be dismissive of emotions with respect to making decisions. Be sure you meet with them and talk about how everyone’s strengths benefit the organization in different ways.
Show them the numbers. As often as you can, tap these employees for projects that require researching, sorting, organizing, and analyzing large amounts of data.
Keep in mind that these employees can also bring a very level-headed approach to an emotionally heightened situation. They enjoy adding a calming element by assuring others that there is a logical, rational solution to the problem. And they’re good at helping find it.
How Millennial Guru Can Help
Our workshops use CliftonStrengths to help your employees understand how to capitalize on their own strengths and find synergies with the strengths of their coworkers, to maximize performance for the benefit of your business.
To find out more about how we can help you make the most of your team’s strengths, schedule a no-commitment informational meeting today. We’d love to help you meet or exceed your business goals for 2021.