Have you ever coached someone whose Strengths made perfect sense on paper, yet something still seemed to be missing? Perhaps their talents were clear, but the direction or enthusiasm behind their choices wasn’t. Combining strengths with values combines ability with motivation.
Our Strengths reveal how we naturally think, feel and behave. Our values reveal why we do it. When we bring these two together, conversations become deeper, more meaningful, and often more transformative.
The Connection Between Strengths and Values
Strengths describe the potential we bring to the world. Values describe what truly matters to us and gives our work meaning. When Strengths and values are aligned, people experience a strong sense of authenticity and fulfilment. When they are in tension, even the most talented person can feel unsettled or frustrated.
I remember coaching two different people with the Strength of Responsibility® who held different attitudes towards their work. One had a core value of Ambition, so they stayed late to get the work done. Where the other had a primary value of Family, who made sure they left work on time to meet their family commitments. The same Strength is at play, but the values behind it provide a very different emphasis.
By understanding both, we as coaches can help clients not only use their Strengths effectively, but also help them find ways that feel meaningful and sustainable.
Creating More Meaningful Coaching Conversations
When clients explore what drives them and how they naturally operate, coaching sessions become more insightful and impactful. This approach deepens self-awareness, revealing the motivations behind choices and actions, and highlighting what energises and inspires each person.
It also clarifies areas of tension or imbalance, helping clients make decisions and set goals that genuinely reflect who they are. By providing a shared language around motivation and behaviour, coaches can guide conversations that feel personal, focused, and transformative.
The Impact of Integrating Values
Combining Strengths with values creates a strong foundation for self-discovery and growth. Clients gain clarity on what truly motivates them, how their principles influence the way they apply their Strengths, and what gives their work meaning. Aligning actions with these core drivers enhances motivation, focus, and resilience, shifting coaching from simply achieving more to achieving what matters most.
For coaches, this integration encourages reflection on how your own priorities shape your Strengths, coaching approach, client relationships, and definitions of success.
Working with both Strengths and values helps clients and coaches to:
- Identify core motivators
- Understand how values shape behaviour
- Align goals and decisions with what matters most
- Support authentic, purposeful action
A Data-Driven Way to Discover Values
While traditional approaches such as card-sorting exercises can be useful, they often rely on people choosing the values they think they hold. The Values Identifier assessment offers a data-driven alternative.
The Values Identifier is a data-driven assessment that reveals the values that truly drive your behaviour. Unlike traditional methods, where people select words from a list or deck of cards, this assessment uses carefully designed scenarios and questions to uncover consistent patterns in your responses. This approach helps you identify your authentic values, not just the ones you think you should prioritise.
After taking the Values Identifier assessment, it named my top one as Determination. I would never have chosen the word Determination if it were in a pack of cards. However, reflecting on my Determination trait over recent months, the more it describes my motivation and drive to see things through to completion.
Bringing Meaning to Strengths Work
CliftonStrengths® gives us a language for what we do best. Values give us the reason why it matters. Together, they create a more complete picture of who we are and how we can contribute in ways that feel both successful and significant.
If you are a coach, take time this week to name your top three values and reflect on how they influence your Strengths in action. Perhaps take the assessment. Then try the same with one of your clients. You may be surprised by how quickly the conversation moves from understanding to purpose.
Thinking about becoming a Values Identifier Certifed Coach? Receive a $50 discount with code Coach50RS
By connecting Strengths and values, we help people not just do their best work, but become their best selves.
