CliftonStrengths vs StrengthsFinder: What's the Difference?
If you've heard both "CliftonStrengths" and "StrengthsFinder" used to describe the popular strengths assessment, you might wonder what distinguishes them. The difference is primarily in branding and evolution of the tool over time, not in the actual assessment content.
The Evolution of the Names
2001: StrengthsFinder 1.0
The original assessment was introduced as "StrengthsFinder" in the bestselling book Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton. This first version identified your top 5 talent themes out of 34.
2007: StrengthsFinder 2.0
The updated version was released with the book StrengthsFinder 2.0. While the core assessment remained similar, the report became more detailed with personalized insights and action items.
2017: Rebranding to CliftonStrengths
Gallup renamed the assessment to "CliftonStrengths" to honor Don Clifton, the psychologist who developed the assessment's methodology. This change also reflected a shift toward emphasizing strengths development rather than just identification.
Key Similarities
Despite the name changes, the core elements remain consistent:
- Same 34 talent themes: The fundamental classification of strengths hasn't changed
- Same assessment approach: You still respond to timed paired statements
- Same goal: The purpose remains identifying and developing your natural talents
- Same four domains: Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building, and Strategic Thinking
Key Differences
| Aspect | StrengthsFinder | CliftonStrengths |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Original branding (2001-2017) | Current branding (2017-present) |
| Focus | Primarily strengths identification | More emphasis on strengths development |
| Reports | Basic strengths descriptions | More detailed development insights |
| Terminology | "Themes" or "Strengths" | More consistent use of "Talents" and "Strengths" distinction |
| Access | Primarily through books | More online resources and tools |
Understanding the Terminology
The language around strengths has become more precise over time:
Talent
A natural way of thinking, feeling, or behaving. Talents are the raw materials revealed by the assessment.
Strength
The ability to consistently provide near-perfect performance in a specific task. Strengths are developed by investing in your talents through knowledge, skills, and practice.
Talent Theme
One of the 34 categories of talent identified by the assessment. These are now more commonly called "CliftonStrengths themes."
Which Name Should You Use?
While "CliftonStrengths" is the current official name, both terms remain in common use:
- Use "CliftonStrengths" when referring to the current version of the assessment or when communicating with Gallup-certified coaches
- "StrengthsFinder" is still widely understood and may be more familiar to people who took the assessment before 2017
- In casual conversation, either term is generally acceptable as long as your meaning is clear
Note: Some people use "StrengthsFinder" to refer specifically to the assessment and "CliftonStrengths" to refer to the overall philosophy or developed strengths, though this isn't an official distinction.
Has the Assessment Changed?
The core assessment experience remains very similar, but there have been refinements:
Question Format
Both versions use timed paired statements where you select which describes you better. The current version may have updated phrasing but follows the same methodology.
Reporting
CliftonStrengths reports tend to be more detailed with:
- More personalized insights
- Clearer development suggestions
- Better explanation of how strengths interact
Support Materials
The current platform offers more online resources, courses, and tools for strengths development compared to earlier versions.
Why the Rebranding Matters
The shift from StrengthsFinder to CliftonStrengths reflects an important philosophical emphasis:
- From discovery to development: Less focus on just identifying talents, more on building strengths
- Honoring the science: Recognizing Don Clifton's foundational work in strengths psychology
- Holistic approach: Emphasizing how strengths work together rather than in isolation
- Lifelong journey: Positioning strengths development as an ongoing process
Final Thoughts
Whether you call it CliftonStrengths or StrengthsFinder, the core value remains the same: understanding and developing your natural talents for greater success and fulfillment. The name change primarily reflects an evolution in how we think about and apply strengths, not a fundamental change in the assessment itself.
Ready to discover your unique strengths? Take our free StrengthsFinder assessment to identify your top talent themes and begin your strengths development journey.