People with strong Ideation talents are at their best when they are bringing new and noteworthy thoughts and ideas that inspire themselves and others.
Ideation®
A theme in the Strategic Thinking domain of CliftonStrengths
People exceptionally talented in the Ideation theme are fascinated by ideas. They are able to find connections between seemingly disparate phenomena.
Full Theme Description
You are fascinated by ideas. What is an idea? An idea is a concept, the best explanation of the most events. You are delighted when you discover, beneath the complex surface, an elegantly simple concept to explain why things are the way they are.
An idea is a connection. Yours is the kind of mind that is always looking for connections, and so you are intrigued when seemingly disparate phenomena can be linked by an obscure connection. An idea is a new perspective on familiar challenges. You revel in taking the world we all know and turning it around so we can view it from a strange but strangely enlightening angle. You love all these ideas because they are profound, because they are novel, because they are clarifying, because they are contrary, and because they are bizarre.
For all these reasons you derive a jolt of energy whenever a new idea occurs to you. Others may label you creative or original or conceptual or even smart. Perhaps you are all of these. Who can be sure? What you are sure of is that ideas are thrilling. And on most days this is enough.
This Theme’s Power and Edge
People with dynamic Ideation talents are spontaneously creative and bring new and fresh perspectives. They have a natural sense of innovation that defies conventional thinking. Their innovative approach to problems and projects can be a source of new and valuable ideas.
How People with Strong Ideation Talents Describe Themselves
"I am unaffected by the ambiguity and risk of innovation."
"I need freedom to explore possibilities without restraints or limits."
"I love coming up with something brand new."
"I hate doing what has always been done."
"I bring new and fresh perspectives."
Theme Contrast
| Ideation | “I open the windows of my mind to increase the possibility of discovery.” |
| Focus | “I close the windows of my mind to decrease the possibility of distraction.” |
| Ideation | A blue-sky approach of creative innovation is the best way to get a competitive advantage. |
| Focus | The down-to-earth approach of efficient collaboration is the best way to get a competitive advantage. |
Ideation Helps and Hinders
Helps
With your natural ability to consider issues from multiple perspectives, you can find solutions to problems that may vex others. This solution-finding perspective makes you a valuable member of your team.
You are creative and can generate ideas around nearly any topic. Your ideas can become plans for addressing inefficiencies, creating new processes or developing inspirational team goals.
You see the bigger picture, and because you see connections where others may not, you can explain initiatives and decisions. You can help others see the "why."
You are drawn to complexity — in part because of your desire to see and understand the simplicity in the midst of complexity. You can help others see a way forward, making sense of what appears to them to be nothing short of chaos.
Hinders
You tend not to be satisfied with the status quo. This can create friction and misunderstanding. Help others see the logic of your push for change.
Sometimes the sheer multiplicity of the ideas you generate can be overwhelming — both to you and to others. It might help you and those you work with if you create a system and process for prioritising the value of your many ideas.
By nature you tend not to be the most practical of humans on the planet. That's OK, but there are times when you need a reality check. Find a partner who can keep you grounded.
For you, the ideating is the thrill — not necessarily putting the idea into action. This can lead to your having a reputation of a dreamer, not a doer. Find someone with whom you can partner to turn your best ideas into reality.
If Ideation is a Dominant Theme for You, Take Action to Maximise Your Potential
Find a job that pays you for ideas such as marketing, advertising, journalism, design or new product development.
Make slight changes in your work or home life so that you don’t get bored easily.
Experiment and play mental games with yourself to keep your mind active.
Participate in brainstorming sessions. With your abundance of ideas, you will make these sessions more exciting and productive.
Schedule time to read because others’ ideas and experiences can become your raw material for new ideas. Schedule time to think because thinking energises you.
Think through your ideas before communicating them. Doing this will help others understand what might seem like to them an interesting but incomplete idea.
Discuss your thoughts with other people to help you refine your ideas.
Partner with someone with strong Activator talents to help you put your ideas into practice.
Partner with someone with strong Analytical talents who will question and challenge you, therefore strengthening your ideas.
Select a mentor who has the courage to support you in your ideas and will challenge you to explore them even further.
Potential Blind Spots to Watch Out for
Your limitless thoughts and ideas can sometimes overwhelm and confuse people. Consider refining your ideas and sharing only the best so others won’t reject them simply because they cannot follow your abstract thinking.
You might struggle to follow through on the ideas you generate. Think about collaborating with someone who can help you turn your best ideas into real results.
If Ideation Is a Lesser Theme for You
Lacking the intensity of the Ideation theme doesn’t mean you are not creative or innovative. It likely indicates that you have a more practical inclination. You may innately concentrate more on “how” than on “why” or “why not.”
Strategic, Connectedness or Arranger talents may help you make sense of your experiences or the business landscape you encounter.
When problem-solving, it may benefit you to first gather all of the information on the subject. Then, analyse the data you have gathered to help you formulate your thoughts.
Invite others to help you brainstorm and refine ideas. Seek out people who have a creative flair, subject-matter experience or interest, and different opinions or beliefs than yours. Often, the best ideas flow from the energy of collaboration.
Listen to your team members’ thoughts and ideas, and share your ideas with them. These conversations will be stimulating for everyone and will help you “catch” ideas.
Source: Gallup®
“I have things in my head that are not like what anyone has taught me — shapes and ideas so near to me — so natural to my way of being and thinking that it hasn’t occurred to me to put them down.”
— Georgia O’Keeffe, artist