People with strong Communication talents are at their best when they are illustrating life through story and work.

Communication®

A theme in the Influencing domain of CliftonStrengths

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

 

Full Theme Description

You like to explain, to describe, to host, to speak in public, and to write. This is your Communication theme at work.

Ideas are a dry beginning. Events are static. You feel a need to bring them to life, to energise them, to make them exciting and vivid. And so you turn events into stories and practice telling them. You take the dry idea and enliven it with images and examples and metaphors.

You believe that most people have a very short attention span. They are bombarded by information, but very little of it survives. You want your information — whether an idea, an event, a product's features and benefits, a discovery, or a lesson — to survive. You want to divert their attention toward you and then capture it, lock it in.

This is what drives your hunt for the perfect phrase. This is what draws you toward dramatic words and powerful word combinations. This is why people like to listen to you. Your word pictures pique their interest, sharpen their world, and inspire them to act.

 

This Theme’s Power and Edge

People with strong Communication talents bring attention and focus to important messages. They can find words for not only their own thoughts and feelings, but also for those of others. This gives them the ability to reach out and connect with others in meaningful ways.

 

How People with Strong Communication Talents Describe Themselves

  • "I am an entertaining conversationalist."

  • "I need a sounding board, an audience."

  • "I love stories and storytellers."

  • "I hate experience without expression."

  • "I bring attention to messages that must be heard."

 

Theme Contrast

Communication “I think and learn best when I can talk with others.”
Intellection “I think and learn best when I can be alone and quiet.”
Communication “Telling a story helps others understand my message.”
Context “The re-telling of history helps others remember the past.”
 

Communication Helps and Hinders

Helps

  • You have the ability to bring attention to important messages. When you connect a story to an issue, you make everyone in the room smarter.

  • You can generate dialogue and build consensus in team settings. You likely excel at summarising information that can help teams find common ground.

  • You naturally look for ways to fine-tune and maximise your message, creating energy, acceptance and understanding.

  • You have a natural talent for putting your emotions into words and you can help others find the right words to express what they are feeling.

Hinders

  • Because you are naturally verbal and instinctively share your thoughts, you may not realize when you are monopolising a discussion. Try to be mindful of when other people have something to say, and consider pausing so they can say it.

  • Even though talking comes easily to you, remember that you don't have to be the one to convey the message. Use your ability to find the right words to empower others to communicate better and share their thoughts and ideas.

  • Great communication skills don't involve just talking — they also involve listening. Remind yourself to listen, reflect and encourage dialogue. Take time to listen and pay attention to what others are saying — and not saying.

  • Your ease with words and descriptions can influence how people perceive others. Be careful what you say about others -- be positive and encouraging, as your words carry weight.

 

If Communication is a Dominant Theme for You, Take Action to Maximise Your Potential

  • Think about roles in teaching, sales, marketing, ministry or the media. You will always do well in roles that pay you to capture people’s attention.

  • Keep your best stories in mind and practice telling them so you’ll get better each time.

  • Use your Communication talents to help others put their ideas or feelings into words.

  • Start a collection of stories or phrases that resonate with you. For example, cut out magazine articles that move you, or write down powerful word combinations.

  • Practice telling these stories or saying these words by yourself aloud. Listen to yourself actually saying the words. Refine.

  • Listen closely to your audience when you are presenting. Watch their reactions to each part of your presentation. You will see that some parts prove especially engaging. After the presentation, identify parts that particularly caught the audience’s attention. Redraft your next presentation to focus on these highlights.

  • Volunteer for opportunities to present. You can become known as someone who helps people express their thoughts and ambitions in a captivating way.

 

Potential Blind Spots to Watch Out for

  • Because you are naturally verbal and instinctively share your thoughts, you may not realize when you are monopolising a discussion. Try to be mindful of when other people have something to say, and consider pausing so they can say it.

  • Remember that your words are not always enough to motivate others. Take time to listen and pay attention to what others are saying — and not saying.

 

If Communication Is a Lesser Theme for You

If you don’t have the intensity of the Communication theme, it doesn’t mean that you cannot connect with others. It likely indicates that you prefer to think or reflect a bit before you speak.

  • Think about situations when your presentation to a group was highly effective. Identify the factors that contributed to your success (e.g., audience, preparation, format, or type of information).

  • Collect stories, quotes and experiences to emphasise key points related to your message. You can lean on these resources and tools to more effectively communicate.

  • Public speaking may not come naturally to you, but if your job demands it, you can find ways to improve. Consider joining a Toastmasters® group where you can gain basic presentation skills, discover more about your own style and find strengths you can use to communicate more effectively.

  • Deliberately use the natural thinking and relationship-building talents you have when you need to communicate something important. These talents can help you understand and specifically address your audience’s personalities, challenges, questions and assumptions.

 
 

Source: Gallup®

 
 

“Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after."

— Anne Morrow Lindbergh, author