Explore the CliftonStrengths Top 5 themes—Deliberative, Context, Relator, Belief, and Analytical—and their potential virtues and vices. Learn practical steps to align your strengths with God’s divine will for personal and spiritual growth.
I. Introduction
As mentioned in my personal transformation post, these are the results of my CliftonStrengths Top 5 Report. These themes represent dominant personality traits and strengths derived from the CliftonStrengths assessment, designed to help individuals understand their unique talents and how they can contribute to personal and professional growth. The discussion then moves to a deeper exploration of the themes, particularly their moral and spiritual dimensions, focusing on how they can manifest as vices or virtues depending on the orientation of the individual’s conscience. The overarching goal is to harmonize these strengths with God’s divine will, fostering a life aligned with truth and grace.
II. Overview of the Five Themes
The five themes outlined in the CliftonStrengths Top 5 Report are:
- Deliberative:
Emphasizes careful and vigilant decision-making, anticipating risks, and taking a thoughtful approach to choices. - Context:
Focuses on understanding the present by researching and analyzing the past. - Relator:
Centers on building close, authentic relationships and finding satisfaction in working closely with others. - Belief:
Driven by deeply held values and principles that provide a strong sense of purpose and direction in life. - Analytical:
Involves seeking reasons and causes, using logic and evidence to understand and solve problems.
Each of these themes contributes to a unique set of talents aimed at personal and professional success.
III. Vices and Outcomes When Strengths Are Not Properly Oriented
An unwavering commitment to values and beliefs can be a tremendous strength, as it speaks to integrity, authenticity, and moral clarity. However, when this resolve is not tempered by humility, empathy, and discernment, certain vices or negative outcomes can manifest. Below are potential vices and outcomes for each theme:
1. Deliberative
- Potential Vices:
- Over-caution: A tendency to see risks everywhere may lead to indecision or paralysis in situations requiring action.
- Rigidity: Excessive focus on avoiding risks could result in an inability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances or embrace necessary change.
- Judgmentalism: A hypercritical approach toward others’ decisions, especially if they fail to meet one’s high standards.
2. Context
- Potential Vices:
- Nostalgia: Overemphasis on the past could lead to romanticizing history, resisting progress, or being dismissive of new ideas.
- Cynicism: A tendency to see the present as flawed because it doesn’t measure up to idealized past standards.
3. Relator
- Potential Vices:
- Exclusivity: Forming deep connections only with those who share your values may lead to excluding or undervaluing others with differing viewpoints.
4. Belief
- Potential Vices:
- Self-righteousness: Believing so strongly in one’s values that others are judged harshly or dismissed for not adhering to them.
- Fanaticism: Allowing one’s values to justify extreme actions or behaviors, leading to alienation or harm to others.
5. Analytical
- Potential Vices:
- Cold detachment: Over-reliance on logic could result in dismissing emotional or human factors in decision-making.
- Hypercriticism: Excessively dissecting others’ ideas or beliefs, leading to perceived negativity or arrogance.
IV. Steps for Harmonizing Divine and Human Will
Harmonizing God’s divine will with the human will requires conscious effort to align personal strengths with the virtues God calls us to cultivate. Below are specific steps for each theme:
1. Deliberative
- Pray for Discernment: Begin each day or major decision by asking for the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
2. Context
- Learn from the Saints: Study Church history and the lives of the saints to see how God’s faithfulness has been revealed across time.
3. Relator
- See Christ in Others: View every relationship as an opportunity to encounter Christ (Matthew 25:40).
4. Belief
- Surrender to God’s Will: Daily entrust your life to God’s plan, praying as Jesus did in Gethsemane (Luke 22:42).
5. Analytical
- Integrate Faith and Reason: Balance analysis with faith, following the wisdom of St. Augustine.