Gallupreport 1

Strengths Insight and Action-Planning Guide
SURVEY COMPLETION DATE: 08-08-2014
John Schmidt
Your Top 5 Themes
Achiever
Learner
Discipline
Significance
Focus
What's in This Guide?

Section I: Awareness
A brief Shared Theme Description for each of your top five themes
Your Personalized Strengths Insights, which describe what makes you stand out from others
with the same theme in their top five
Questions for you to answer to increase your awareness of your talents
Section II: Application
10 Ideas for Action for each of your top five themes
Questions for you to answer to help you apply your talents
Section III: Achievement
Examples of what each of your top five themes "sounds like" -- real quotes from people who
also have the theme in their top five
Steps for you to take to help you leverage your talents for achievement
565808815 (John Schmidt)

2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.
Section I: Awareness
Achiever
Shared Theme Description
People who are especially talented in the Achiever theme have a great deal of stamina and work
hard. They take great satisfaction from being busy and productive.
Your Personalized Strengths Insights

What makes you stand out?
Its very likely that you approach your work-related or academic assignments with a great deal of
intensity. You are known for putting in long hours and working hard. By nature, you normally dedicate
yourself to acquiring knowledge and gaining skills. You probably devote many hours to mental labor.
Because of your strengths, you commonly invest extra time and energy in causing people to realize
you hold them in high regard. This probably is one way you help them recognize their value as human
beings. Driven by your talents, you probably set goals regarding the amount of recognition you give
your coworkers. You aim to lavish them with compliments. Why? You want each person to feel valued
and appreciated. Recipients of your abundant praise usually are eager to please you again. They
often are willing to help whenever you ask. Instinctively, you might want to be the very best in certain
fields or activities. Maybe you realize that excellence is the result of not only hard work, but also of top
quality materials and people. This partially explains why you devote yourself to some activities but not
to others.
Questions
1. As you read your personalized strengths insights, what words, phrases, or lines stand out to
you?
2. Out of all the talents in this insight, what would you like for others to see most in you?

Learner
People who are especially talented in the Learner theme have a great desire to learn and want to
continuously improve. In particular, the process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites them.

Because of your strengths, you channel your efforts into the task at hand. You persevere until you
have gained the knowledge and skills needed to attain a goal. You can toil for many hours to secure
your objective. You probably work hardest and most productively at a particular time of day. Chances
are good that you may thirst for new ideas and knowledge. Sometimes you dive into your reading with
abandon. Other times you lose yourself in a book. Maybe you pore over the thoughts contained in its
pages for long stretches of time. Why? You might want to absorb as much information as you can. By
nature, you sometimes enroll in difficult or demanding classes. You might aim to expand your
knowledge or challenge your thinking about certain things. Its very likely that you might enjoy
acquiring certain types of knowledge and/or skills. You might want to build on particular abilities you
know you already have. When you meet people who value education like you do, perhaps you are
interested in hearing about a few of their personal or professional ambitions, intentions, or goals.
Understanding what they aim to accomplish may be the beginning of a practical partnership or an
enduring friendship. Driven by your talents, you regularly apply yourself to scholarly pursuits. For
hours, you think seriously about various issues or ideas. You feel very optimistic about life when you
can dedicate yourself to your studies. You typically resist the temptation to quit when obstacles,
interruptions, or difficulties momentarily break your concentration.
Questions
you?

Discipline
People who are especially talented in the Discipline theme enjoy routine and structure. Their world is
best described by the order they create.

Driven by your talents, you sometimes make sure that certain parts, pieces, or details are in their
proper places at the proper times for the proper reasons. You might devise some rules or procedures
so anyone can produce results similar to your own over and over again. When people are involved
with you in an activity, perhaps you insist that they, too, follow the steps you have mapped so
carefully. Certain individuals who use your methods for handling repetitious tasks may appreciate your
efforts. Some nonconformists, who do things their own way or try new ways, might annoy you if their
actions interfere with someone elses ability to do things right. By nature, you like to keep your
environment neat and orderly. You feel most comfortable when everything has its place and
everything is in its place. Its very likely that you are likely to receive compliments for keeping things
very clean and orderly. Chances are good that you sometimes set goals for the week. These might
prevent you from being drawn off course by each days demands. Instinctively, you might have a
reputation for creating certain types of agendas, itineraries, processes, or procedures for recurring
activities. You may leave few things to chance. By outlining goals, timelines, deadlines, assignments,
and other details, perhaps you expect certain people to automatically implement your plan. Maybe
you appreciate individuals who follow it step by step. However, you might grow impatient with those
who ignore it in part or altogether. Periodically their lack of order causes inefficiencies, gaps in
performance, errors, or quarrels.
Questions
you?

Significance
People who are especially talented in the Significance theme want to be very important in the eyes of
others. They are independent and want to be recognized.

Its very likely that you act like a rival when you are pitted against others and only one person can be
declared the very best at something. Your deep-seated desire to finish in first place probably drives
many of your choices and explains much of your behavior. Driven by your talents, you routinely
choose the company of people who exhibit a sound work ethic and produce excellent results. You
likely intervene before they discount their accomplishments. You probably realize you can influence
individuals to think much better of themselves. By nature, you regularly experience a feeling of
personal fulfillment when you can influence people to reach higher levels of excellence. Instinctively,
you exhibit a strong work ethic. Work probably gives your life a sense of purpose it would otherwise
lack. Because of your strengths, you yearn to step into roles where you can influence people to follow
you. Many individuals allow you to take charge. Why? They likely remember times you set them up for
success in the past.
Questions
you?

Focus
People who are especially talented in the Focus theme can take a direction, follow through, and make
the corrections necessary to stay on track. They prioritize, then act.

Because of your strengths, you approach most win-lose situations in a practical and realistic manner.
When you are intent on being victorious, you automatically extinguish any sentimental feelings you
have toward your rivals. Driven by your talents, you feel very good about yourself and life in general
when you exhibit the self-discipline to apply all your energy mental and physical to a job,
assignment, goal, or obligation. Chances are good that you are no stranger to long hours of work. You
very much enjoy teaming up with friends. Why? They, like you, probably expend mental and physical
energy for as long as it takes to reach the goal. Its very likely that you normally direct most of your
talent, energy, effort, and reasoning to the task at hand. Your good judgment probably allows you to
establish long-term goals that are truly worthy of your undivided attention. Instinctively, you devote
your full attention to immediate tasks and challenges. This explains why you give yourself plenty of
time to comprehend what you read on the printed page or the computer screen. Diligence,
persistence, and concentration are three of your distinguishing traits.
Questions
you?

Questions
1. How does this information help you better understand your unique talents?
2. How can you use this understanding to add value to your role?
3. How can you apply this knowledge to add value to your team, workgroup, department, or
division?
4. How will this understanding help you add value to your organization?
5. What will you do differently tomorrow as a result of this report?

Section II: Application
Achiever
Ideas for Action:
Select jobs that allow you to have the leeway to work as hard as you want and in
which you are encouraged to measure your own productivity. You will feel challenged
and alive in these environments.
As an achiever, you relish the feeling of being busy, yet you also need to know when
you are done. Attach timelines and measurement to goals so that effort leads to
defined progress and tangible outcomes.
Remember to build celebration and recognition into your life. Achievers tend to move
on to the next challenge without acknowledging their successes. Counter this impulse
by creating regular opportunities to enjoy your progress and accomplishments.
Your drive for action might cause you to find meetings a bit boring. If thats the case,
appeal to your Achiever talents by learning the objectives of each meeting ahead of
time and by taking notes about progress toward those objectives during the meeting.
You can help ensure that meetings are productive and efficient.
Continue your education by attaining certifications in your area or specialty in addition
to attending conferences and other programs. This will give you even more goals to
achieve and will push your existing boundaries of accomplishment.
You do not require much motivation from others. Take advantage of your selfmotivation by setting challenging goals. Set a more demanding goal every time you
finish a project.
Partner with other hard workers. Share your goals with them so they can help you to
get more done.
Count personal achievements in your scoring system. This will help you direct your
Achiever talents toward family and friends as well as toward work.
More work excites you. The prospect of what lies ahead is infinitely more motivating
than what has been completed. Launch initiatives and new projects. Your seemingly
endless reserve of energy will create enthusiasm and momentum.
Make sure that in your eagerness to do more at work, you do not skimp on quality.
Create measurable outcome standards to guarantee that increased productivity is
matched by enhanced quality.
Questions
1. Which of these action items speak to you? Highlight the actions that you are most likely to
take.
2. How will you commit to taking action? Write your own personalized action item that you will
take in the next 30 days.

Learner
Ideas for Action:
Refine how you learn. For example, you might learn best by teaching; if so, seek out
opportunities to present to others. You might learn best through quiet reflection; if so,
find this quiet time.
Develop ways to track the progress of your learning. If there are distinct levels or
stages of learning within a discipline or skill, take a moment to celebrate your
progression from one level to the next. If no such levels exist, create them for yourself
(e.g., reading five books on the subject or making three presentations on the subject).
Be a catalyst for change. Others might be intimidated by new rules, new skills, or new
circumstances. Your willingness to soak up this newness can calm their fears and
spur them to action. Take this responsibility seriously.
Seek roles that require some form of technical competence. You will enjoy the
process of acquiring and maintaining this expertise.
As far as possible, shift your career toward a field with constantly changing
technologies or regulations. You will be energized by the challenge of keeping up.
Because you are not threatened by unfamiliar information, you might excel in a
consulting role (either internal or external) in which you are paid to go into new
situations and pick up new competencies or languages quickly.
Research supports the link between learning and performance. When people have
the opportunity to learn and grow, they are more productive and loyal. Look for ways
to measure the degree to which you and others feel that your learning needs are
being met, to create individualized learning milestones, and to reward achievements
in learning.
At work, take advantage of programs that subsidize your learning. Your organization
may be willing to pay for part or all of your instructional coursework or for
certifications. Ask your manager for information about scholarships and other
educational opportunities.
Honor your desire to learn. Take advantage of adult educational opportunities in your
community. Discipline yourself to sign up for at least one new academic or adult
learning course each year.
Time disappears and your attention intensifies when you are immersed in studying or
learning. Allow yourself to follow the trail by scheduling learning sessions during
periods of time that will not be interrupted by pressing engagements.
Questions
take.

Discipline
Ideas for Action:
Dont hesitate to check as often as necessary to ensure that things are right. You feel
an urge to do it anyway, and soon others will come to expect it from you.
Accept that mistakes might depress you. Precision is a core part of who you are;
however, you must find ways to move through these moments of annoyance to
prevent becoming discouraged.
Recognize that others may not be as disciplined as you are. More than likely, their
clumsy process will frustrate you, so try to look beyond it, and focus on their results,
not on their process.
Exactitude is your fort; you enjoy poring over details. Seek opportunities to peruse
contracts, important communications, or financial documents for errors. You can save
yourself and others from making costly mistakes and looking foolish.
Increasing efficiency is one of your hallmarks. You are a perfectionist at heart.
Discover situations in which time or money is being wasted because of inefficiency,
and create systems or procedures to improve efficiency.
You not only create order, you probably also crave it in the form of a well-organized
space. To completely free your Discipline talents, invest in furniture and organization
systems that enable you to have a place for everything and everything in its place.
Timelines motivate you. When you have a task to complete, you like to know the
deadline so you can plan your schedule accordingly. Apply your Discipline talents by
outlining the step-by-step plan you will use. Others will appreciate your cues because
they will help keep everyone on task.
Others may confuse your Discipline talents with rigidity. Help them understand that
your discipline helps you pack more effectiveness into a day often because you
prioritize your time. When working with others who are not as disciplined, ask them to
clarify deadlines so you can adjust your workload to accommodate their requests.
Seek out roles and responsibilities that have structure.
Create routines that require you to systematically follow through. Over time, people
will come to appreciate this kind of predictability.
Questions
take.

10
Significance
Ideas for Action:
Choose jobs or positions in which you can determine your own tasks and actions. You
will enjoy the exposure that comes with independence.
Your reputation is important to you, so decide what it should be and tend to it in the
smallest detail. For example, identify and earn a designation that will add to your
credibility, write an article that will give you visibility, or volunteer to speak in front of a
group who will admire your achievements.
Share your dreams and goals with your family or closest friends and colleagues. Their
expectations will keep you reaching.
Stay focused on performance. Your Significance talents will drive you to claim
outstanding goals. Your performance had better match those goals, or others might
label you as a big talker.
You will perform best when your performance is visible. Look for opportunities that put
you on center stage. Stay away from roles that hide you behind the scenes.
Leading crucial teams or significant projects brings out your best. Your greatest
motivation may come when the stakes are at their highest. Let others know that when
the game is on the line, you want the ball.
Make a list of the goals, achievements, and qualifications you crave, and post them
where you will see them every day. Use this list to inspire yourself.
Identify your best moment of recognition or praise. What was it for? Who gave it to
you? Who was the audience? What do you have to do to recreate that moment?
Unless you also possess dominant Self-Assurance talents, accept that you might fear
failure. Dont let this fear prevent you from staking claims to excellence. Instead, use it
to focus on ensuring that your performance matches your claims.
You might have a natural awareness of what other people think of you. You may have
a specific audience that you want to like you, and you will do whatever it takes to win
their approval and applause. Be aware that while reliance on the approval of others
could be problematic, there is nothing wrong with wanting to be liked or admired by
the key people in your life.
Questions
take.

11
Focus
Ideas for Action:
When you set goals, discipline yourself to include timelines and measurements.
These will provide regular proof that you are indeed making progress.
Seek roles in which you can function independently. With your dominant Focus
talents, you will be able to stay on track with little supervision.
Your greatest worth as a team member might be helping others set goals. At the end
of meetings, take responsibility for summarizing what was decided, for defining when
these decisions will be acted on, and for setting a date when the group will
reconvene.
Others will think, act, and talk less efficiently than you do. Pay attention. Sometimes
their detours will lead to discoveries and delights.
Stretch your goal setting beyond work. If you find yourself becoming too focused on
work goals, set goals for your personal life. They will give weight to your personal
priorities and thereby help create balance in your life.
Hours can disappear when you are intent on a task; you lose track of time. Make sure
that all of your objectives are met and all of your priorities are followed by scheduling
your efforts and sticking to that schedule.
You function best when you can concentrate on a few well-defined initiatives and
demands. Give yourself permission to reject projects or tasks that do not align with
your overall mission. This will help you concentrate your efforts on your most
important priorities and will help others appreciate your need for focus.
Take the time to write down your aspirations, and refer to them often. You will feel
more in control of your life.
At work, be sure to tell your manager your mid-term and short-term goals. This might
well give your manager the confidence to give you the room you need.
Make sure that the focus points you set for yourself take into consideration both
quantity and quality. The integrity of your objectives will ensure that the application of
your Focus talents leads to solid and long-lasting success.
Questions
take.

12
Section III: Achievement

Look for signs of achievement as you read these real quotes from people who share your top five
themes.
Achiever sounds like this:

Melanie K., ER nurse: I have to rack up points every day to feel successful. Today Ive been here
only half an hour, but Ive probably racked up thirty points already. I ordered equipment for the ER, I
had equipment repaired, I had a meeting with my charge nurse, and I brainstormed with my secretary
about improving our computerized logbook. So on my list of ninety things, I have thirty done already.
Im feeling pretty good about myself right now.
Ted S., salesperson: Last year I was salesperson of the year out of my companys three hundred
salespeople. It felt good for a day, but sure enough, later that week, it was as if it never happened. I
was back at zero again. Sometimes I wish I wasnt an achiever because it can lead me away from a
balanced life and toward obsession. I used to think I could change myself, but now I know I am just
wired this way. This theme is truly a double-edged sword. It helps me achieve my goals, but on the
other hand, I wish I could just turn it off and on at will. But, hey, I cant. I can manage it and avoid work
obsession by focusing on achieving in all parts of my life, not just work.
Sara L., writer: This theme is a weird one. First, its good because you live in pursuit of the perpetual
challenge. But in the second place, you never feel as though youve reached your goal. It can keep
you running uphill at seventy miles an hour for your whole life. You never rest because theres always
more to do. But, on balance, I think I would rather have it than not. I call it my divine restlessness,
and if it makes me feel as if I owe the present everything I have, then so be it. I can live with that.

13
Learner sounds like this:

Annie M., managing editor: I get antsy when I am not learning something. Last year, although I was
enjoying my work, I didnt feel as though I was learning enough. So I took up tap dancing. It sounds
strange, doesnt it? I know I am never going to perform or anything, but I enjoy focusing on the
technical skill of tapping, getting a little better each week, and moving up from the beginners class to
the intermediate class. That was a kick.
Miles A., operations manager: When I was seven years old, my teachers would tell my parents,
Miles isnt the most intelligent boy in the school, but hes a sponge for learning, and hell probably go
really far because he will push himself and continually be grasping new things. Right now, I am just
starting a course in business-travel Spanish. I know it is probably too ambitious to think I could learn
conversational Spanish and become totally proficient in that language, but I at least want to be able to
travel there and know the language.
Tim S., coach for executives: One of my clients is so inquisitive that it drives him crazy because he
cant do everything he wants to. Im different. I am not curious in that broad sense. I prefer to go into
greater depth with things so that I can become competent in them and then use them at work. For
example, recently one of my clients wanted me to travel with him to Nice, France, for a business
engagement. So I started reading up on the region, buying books, and checking the Internet. It was all
interesting and I enjoyed the study, but I wouldnt have done any of it if I wasnt going to be traveling
there for work.

14
Discipline sounds like this:

Les T., hospitality manager: The turning point in my career was attending one of those timemanagement courses some years back. I was always disciplined, but the power grew when I learned
how to use that discipline in an organized process every day. This little Palm Pilot means that I call my
mom every Sunday rather than letting months go by without calling. It means I take my wife out for
dinner every week without her asking. It means that my employees know that if I say I need to see
something on Monday, I will be calling on Monday if I havent seen it. This Palm Pilot is so much a
part of my life that I have lengthened all of my pants pockets so that it fits right there on my hip.
Troy T., sales executive: My filing system may not look that pretty, but it is very efficient. I write
everything by hand because I know that no customer is going to see these files, so why waste time
making them look pretty? My whole life as a salesperson is based on deadlines and follow-up. In my
system, I keep track of everything so that I take responsibility not only for my deadlines and follow-up
but for all of my customers and colleagues as well. If they havent gotten back to me by the time they
promised, theyre going to receive an e-mail from me. In fact, I heard from one the other day who said,
I may as well get back to you because I know youre going to call me if you havent heard from me.
Diedre S., office manager: I hate wasting time, so I make lists long lists that keep me on track.
Today my list has ninety items on it, and I will get through ninety-five percent of them. And thats
discipline because I dont let anybody waste my time. I am not rude, but I can let you know in a very
tactful, humorous way that your time is up.

15
Significance sounds like this:

Mary P., healthcare executive: Women are told almost from day one, Dont be too proud. Dont stand
tall. That kind of thing. But Ive learned that its okay to have power, its okay to have pride, and its
okay to have a big ego and also that I need to manage it and drive it in the right directions.
Kathie J., partner in a law firm: Ever since I can remember, I have had the feeling that I was special,
that I could take charge and make things happen. Back in the 60s, I was the first woman partner in
my firm, and I can still recall walking into boardroom after boardroom and being the only woman. Its
strange, thinking back. It was tough, but I actually think I enjoyed the pressure of standing out. I
enjoyed being the woman partner. Why? Because I knew that I would be very hard to forget. I knew
everyone would notice me and pay attention to me.
John L., physician: All through my life, I felt that I was onstage. I am always aware of an audience. If I
am sitting with a patient, I want the patient to see me as the best doctor he or she has ever had. If I
am teaching medical students, I want to stand out as the best medical educator they have ever had. I
want to win the Educator of the Year award. My boss is a big audience for me. Disappointing her
would kill me. Its scary to think that part of my self-esteem is in other peoples hands, but then again,
it keeps me on my toes.

16
Focus sounds like this:

Nick H., computer executive: It is very important to me to be efficient. Im the sort of guy who plays a
round of golf in two and a half hours. When I was at Electronic Data Systems, I worked out a set list of
questions so that I could conduct a review of each division in 15 minutes. The founder, Ross Perot,
called me The Dentist because I would schedule a whole day of these in-and-out, fifteen-minute
meetings.
Brad F., sales executive: I am always sorting priorities, trying to figure out the most efficient route
toward the goal so that there is very little dead time, very little wasted motion. For example, I will get
multiple calls from customers who need me to call the service department for them, and rather than
taking each one of these calls as they come and interrupting the priorities of the day, I group them
together into one call at the end of the day and get it done.
Mike L., administrator: People are amazed how I put things into perspective and stay on track. When
people around the district are stuck on issues and caught on contrived barriers, I am able to pole-vault
over them, reestablish the focus, and keep things moving.
Doriane L., homemaker: I am just the kind of person who likes to get to the point in conversations,
at work, and even when I am shopping with my husband. He likes to try on lots of things and has a
good time doing it, whereas I try one thing on, and if I like it and it is not horribly priced, I buy it. Im a
surgical shopper.

17
Questions
1. Talk to friends or coworkers to hear how they have used their talents to achieve.
2. How will you use your talents to achieve?

18

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Strengths Insight and Action-Planning Guide

SURVEY COMPLETION DATE: 08-08-2014

What's in This Guide?

565808815 (John Schmidt)

Your Personalized Strengths Insights

565808815 (John Schmidt)

Your Personalized Strengths Insights

565808815 (John Schmidt)

Your Personalized Strengths Insights

565808815 (John Schmidt)

Your Personalized Strengths Insights

565808815 (John Schmidt)

Your Personalized Strengths Insights

565808815 (John Schmidt)

565808815 (John Schmidt)

Section II: Application

565808815 (John Schmidt)

565808815 (John Schmidt)

565808815 (John Schmidt)

565808815 (John Schmidt)

565808815 (John Schmidt)

Section III: Achievement

Achiever sounds like this:

565808815 (John Schmidt)

Learner sounds like this:

565808815 (John Schmidt)

Discipline sounds like this:

565808815 (John Schmidt)

Significance sounds like this:

565808815 (John Schmidt)

Focus sounds like this:

565808815 (John Schmidt)

2. How will you use your talents to achieve?

565808815 (John Schmidt)

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