Home | University of Minnesota Strengths Finder

Building a Strengths-Based Campus

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is committed to student success. We are using a Strengths approach on our campus to enhance student engagement and well-being which leads to improved retention, graduation and life success.

By working with students as they focusing on building their individual talents into Strengths, students can thrive and develop to their full potential in

academics
career
leadership
relationships
and engagement

This site is designed for University of Minnesota--Twin Cities students, staff, faculty, parents and guests to learn more about the Strengths at the U: Creating a Strengths-Based Undergraduate Experience Initiative, explore ways to get involved and provide resources for helping individuals develop and apply their talents.

Relator

People who are especially talented in the Relator theme enjoy closer relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal.

Strategic

People who are especially talented in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant pattern and issues.

Connectedness

People who are especially talented in the Connectedness theme have faith in the links between all things. They believe there are few coincidences and almost every event has a reason.

Positivity

People who are especially talented in the Positivity theme have an enthusiasm that is contagious. They are upbeat and can get others excited about what they are going to do.

Learner

People who are especially talented in the Learner theme have a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve. In particular, the process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites them.

Ideation

People who are especially talented in the Ideation theme are fascinated by ideas. They are able to find connections between seemingly disparate phenomena.

Belief

People who are especially talented in the Belief theme have certain core values that are unchanging. Out of these values emerges a defined purpose for their life.

Context

People who are especially talented in the Context theme enjoy thinking about the past. They understand the present by researching its history.

Input

People who are especially talented in the Input theme have a craving to know more. Often they like to collect and archive all kinds of information.

Adaptability

People who are especially talented in the Adaptability theme prefer to "go with the flow". They tend to be "now" people who take things as they come and discover the future one day at a time.

Analytical

People who are especially talented in the Analytical theme search for reasons and causes. They have the ability to think about all the factors that might affect a situation

Discipline

People who are especially talented in the Discipline theme enjoy routine structure. Their world is best described by the order they create.

Self-Assurance

People who are especially talented in the Self-Assurance theme feel confident in their ability to manage their own lives. They possess an inner compass that gives them confidence that their decisions are right.

Futuristic

People who are especially talented in the Futuristic theme are inspired by the future and what could be. They inspire others with their visions of the future.

Restorative

People who are especially talented in the Restorative theme are adept at dealing with problems. They are good at figuring out what is wrong and resolving it.

Developer

People who are especially talented in the Developer theme recognize and cultivate the potential in others. They spot the signs of each small improvement and derive satisfaction from these improvements.

Empathy

People who are especially talented in the Empathy theme can sense the feelings of other people by imagining themselves in others' lives or others' situations.

Woo

People who are especially talented in the Woo theme love the challenge of meeting new people and winning them over. They derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection with another person.

Intellection

People who are especially talented in the Intellection theme are characterized by their intellectual activity. They are introspective and appreciate intellectual discussions.

Competition

People who are especially talented in the Competition theme measure their progress against the performance of others. They strive to win first place and revel in contests.

Significance

People who are especially talented in the Significance theme want to be very important in the eyes of others. They are independent and want to be recognized.

Harmony

People who are especially talented in the Harmony theme look for consensus. They don't enjoy conflict; rather, they seek areas of agreement.

Command

People who are especially talented in the Command theme have presence. They can take control of a situation and make decisions.

Responsibility

People who are especially talented in the Responsibility theme take psychological ownership of what they say they will do. They are committed to stable values such as honesty and loyalty.

Achiever

People who are especially talented in the Achiever theme have a great deal of stamina and work hard. They take great satisfaction from being busy and productive

Deliberative

People who are especially talented in the Deliberative theme are best described by the serious care they take in making decisions or choices. They anticipate the obstacles.

Communication

People who are especially talented in the Communication theme generally find it easy to put their thoughts into words. They are good conversationalists and presenters.

Consistency

People who are especially talented in the Consistency theme are keenly aware of the need to treat people the same. They try to treat everyone in the world with consistency by setting up clear rules and adhering to them.

Individualization

People who are especially talented in the Individualization theme are intriged with the unique qualities of each person. They have a gift for figuring out how people who are different can work together productively.

Focus

People who are especially talented in the Focus theme can take direction, follow through, and make the corrections necessary to stay on track. They prioritize, then act.

Includer

People who are especially talented in the Includer theme are accepting of others. They show awareness of those who feel left out, and make an effort to include them.

Arranger

People who are especially talented in the Arranger theme can organize, but they also have flexibility that complements this ability. They like to figure out how all of the pieces and resources can be arranged for maximum productivity.

Activator

People who are especially talented in the Activator theme can make things happen by turning thoughts into action. They are often impatient

Maximizer

People who are especially talented in the Maximizer theme focus on strengths as a way to stimulate personal and group excellence. They seek to transform something strong into something superb.

News and Updates

Gallup Education Conference: Aiming at Career and Life Wellbeing

The Conference is taking place on July 18-19 in Omaha, Nebraska. It's new format will include keynote speakers, roundtable discussions, and breakout sessions. As stated in the conference brochure: "Everything changes if we aim at the more profound outcome of higher career and life wellbeing for our students and graduates." To learn more about the conference, click here

We're on Twitter!

Follow us! Tweet at us! @UMN_Strengths is used to share and find Strengths resources, examples of how people are using their Top 5, tips on how to use your own Strengths or work with others who have different Strengths, and other places to interact with Strengths. It's a great resource for those interested in learning more about their own Top 5 and how to interact with with others and their Strengths!

Hope and Dr. Shane Lopez

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend one of the events with Dr. Shane Lopez. We hope you were inspired by his messages about hope and the impact it has on our lives. If you would like to learn more, visit www.shanelopez.com

Click the image above to watch the video "I Know My Top 5: What's Next?" after you have completed StrengthsFinder®.

34 in 34: Strengths in Action

FOCUS Strength 34/34

Check out all 34 strength stories!

View more Strengths

Goldy's Strengths Spotlight

Timothy Davis: Student, Community Advisor in Housing & Residential Life

Knowing his own strengths and those of his team members helps Timothy build meaningful and productive relationships and results.

We want to hear how Strengths has helped you, your office, or your team succeed and achieve.

What Other People Thought of StrengthsQuest

I really got a lot out of this! I just wish more brothers had taken the time to go through this (I think especially of the Alumni). I agree with you that it would be great if we can all leverage...

Strengths at the U