The comparison between the CliftonStrengths system and the HIGH5 test systems is crucially important to understand. There are many key differences between the two systems, but both can play an important role in your self-development journey.
For instance, the structure of the assessments has numerous similarities. A plethora of positive consequences can come as a result of taking these assessments. They include a confidence boost, more productivity, and maximizing your career satisfaction.
Taking either one of these tests offers you many benefits, but one test does have an edge over the other. In this article, we will discuss which test is more beneficial, the benefits both provide and how each test works.
Systems Compared: The 20 Type VS The 34 Type
When looking at the key differences between both of these assessments, one which stands out is the strengths classification systems each uses. With the HIGH5 test, there are a total of 4 overarching strength categories. These strength categories are also called strengths domains.
They represent groups of similar strengths. Within each of the major strength categories, there are 5 additional subgroups of strengths. At the end of the HIGH5 test, you will have your result page with your top 5 strengths ranked.
Potential results for the HIGH5 could be Philomath, Empathizer, and any of the other 18 strengths profiles. Each strength profile does not represent just one strength, too. They encompass numerous related skills.
A similarity within both of the tests arises from their categorization as well. The CliftonStrengths assessment also uses a strategy of subdivisions.
However, there are 34 total strengths you are tested for, instead of the 20 included in HIGH5. They encompass a wide array of abilities. Potential results could mean your strengths are empathy, achieving, analytical, or another one of the 34 strengths.
The similarity comes from the fact these 34 strengths are divided into 4 themes like the HIGH5 divides 20 strengths into 4 domains. The four themes for CliftonStrengths are influencing, execution, relationship building, and strategic thinking.
For instance, a strength included in relationship building is empathy. For HIGH5, these strength domains are doing, feeling, motivating, and thinking. There are 8-9 strengths for each category in CliftonStrenths, while there are 5 in each HIGH5 domain.
The HIGH5 test gives you much more specific detail on each of the strengths you have. Narrowing your strengths down to 5 of your most dominant abilities also allows you to stay more focused and motivated in your self-development journey. The CliftonStrengths test risks increasing confusion.
Categories and Structure: 4 Strength Domains vs 4 Personal Traits
While the number of strengths tested for is a major difference, the structure of these two assessments also differs greatly. In fact, even the results of each assessment show something different from the others.
It is a common misconception that your strength results will be the same regardless of which test you take. In reality, the two tests use different methodologies to evaluate your abilities. These differences make a significant difference when deciding which test you should take.
Consider the HIGH5 system. With this strategy, there are 4 main strengths categories: doing, feeling, motivating, and thinking. Doers take action and do so effectively. Motivators know how to empower others and lead.
Feelers can connect with others on an emotional level. Finally, thinkers are strategic and logical. Those are the types of strengths included in each HIGH5 domain. There are 5 strengths associated with each domain.
On the other hand, the CliftonStrengths uses a different structure. They also have 4 distinct categories of strengths, but each consists of 8-9 abilities. CliftonStrength’s 4 strength domains are execution, influencing, relationship building, and strategic thinking.
As you can see, the specific domains also differ. It is entirely possible that your strengths profile is dominated by motivating strengths in the HIGH5 report while it is dominated by influencing abilities in the CliftonStrengths test.
What Do Results Tell You? Personal Strengths To Use vs Personal Recommendations
Perhaps the most important difference to recognize, the results you get from the HIGH5 test and the CliftonStrengths assessment will likely not align 100%. In fact, what each of the strengths assessments show in their results reports also differ significantly. The HIGH5 test will reveal your personal strengths, while the CliftonStrengths test focuses on recommendations.
High5 is a test that is focused on your strengths. Strengths are the abilities that boost your ability to succeed, whether it be in your career or even in your personal life. HIGH5 tests you for 20 unique strengths in total. Then, your strengths are ranked.
HIGH5 focuses on giving you the tools you need to use a strengths-based approach to personal growth. In addition to simply telling you your strengths, the test also reveals how to apply them to the real world.
As a result, you will gain an immense amount of knowledge about your abilities and how to improve them. Plus, the HIGH5 test can easily be scaled to benefit teams through HIGH5’s coaching option and dedicated team sections.
On the other hand, CliftonStrengths is a more broad assessment. They test over 30 strengths and place a focus on quantity rather than specifically discussing each of your strengths.
The test does not just highlight your strengths and does not mention directly how to use them. They simply give recommendations and a broad overview of your skills.
How Many Strengths are there in the HIGH5 test?
The HIGH5 test is an in-depth assessment that focuses on the quality of the strengths report rather than covering as many strengths as possible. It is no wonder why the test has become one of the most popular strengths assessments on the web, even being trusted by leaders from Apple, Amazon, and AirBnB, among others.
In total, there are 20 strengths tested for in the HIGH5 assessment. Focusing on 20 strengths allows the High5 test to go into depth with what each strength means to you, and how you can apply it to your life plus scale it to the next level. This information is highlighted in the detailed HIGH5 strengths report, which sets High5 apart from any other strengths test available.
HIGH5 divides these 20 strengths further into 4 domains: doing, thinking, feeling, and motivating. Each of the strengths shown on your report represents a quality that fulfills your values, increases your odds of success, and is a trait you feel comfortable using.
The test results will match you with a strengths profile. For example, if you have many thinking strengths, you may be categorized as a Philomath for your #1 match. Each of these strengths profiles also has numerous strengths associated with them.
What is the Difference Between StrengthsFinder and Cliftonstrengths?
While on the surface HIGH5 and CliftonStrengths might seem extremely similar, they have immense differences. If you are thinking of taking a strengths test, it is crucial to understand the differences between the two. That way, you can find which test meets your needs more.
One of the key differences between the assessments is what the results will show you. If you take HIGH5, you will get an in-depth strengths report focusing on your best personal strengths. In addition, you will acquire advice on how to use these strengths in the real world.
This is highly useful for anyone starting a personal growth journey. On the other hand, CliftonStrengths gives a broad overview of your abilities. They do not focus on a single point like HIGH5 does and thus do not go in-depth when discussing your strengths.
Another difference you should be aware of is how each assessment can be applied to team settings. HIGH5 has specific team sections dedicated to testing large groups of individuals. There are even coaching options with HIGH5.
With coaching, you get information on how to boost your team’s strengths as a manager. Additionally, HIGH5’s full platform helps you understand how different employees can interact with one another, and who works best with who. These options are not available with the CliftonStrengths test.
How Accurate is StrengthsFinder?
Gallups’s StrengthsFinder test is an extremely popular strengths assessment, but many wonders: does this test actually give meaningful and accurate results? There is a significant amount of debate surrounding the validity of the StrengthsFinder test, and numerous other Gallup assessments.
The test was created through the scientific research of Dr. Donald O. Clifton, a renowned psychologist. But, some modern psychologists believe the test is pseudoscientific.
There are still potential benefits from the test, and structures that back up its efficacy. For example, the test is psychometric, which means it is based on measuring cognition.
This is a scientific approach that has a history of being accurate. The test even incorporates aspects of Carl Jung’s (one of the most famous psychologists of all time) research and ideas.
In addition to this, the test has been around for multiple decades, and millions of people are still taking it. They likely receive some benefits if it is so popular years after being made.
Gallup has millions of data points as a result of the test’s popularity, as they continuously update the assessment. In the end, the test is imperfect, but there are certain benefits that some people acquire from taking it. If you give honest responses, this can help increase the accuracy of the test.
HIGH5 vs CliftonStrengths FAQ
How many strengths are on the HIGH5 test?
HIGH5 gives you detailed information on a wide array of your abilities. In total, there are 4 strength domains. Strength domains are like strengths clusters, or groups of similar strengths.
Within each of the strength domains, there are 5 distinct strengths. Thus, there are a total of 20 strengths that HIGH5 tests for.
What can I use instead of the CliftonStrengths assessment?
CliftonStrengths is a popular assessment, but this does not mean it is the best test. One fantastic alternative to the CliftonStrengths assessment is the HIGH5 test. HIGH5 is a test that focuses on your personal strengths and how you can apply them to the real world.
In fact, this test is even more specific than CliftonStrengths, as it is less general and gives a very in-depth strengths report at the end of the test. Additionally, HIGH5 has many great options for teams, such as coaching insights, finding the best employee partners, strength watch-outs, and much more.
How accurate is StrengthsFinder?
The scientific community had long debated the validity of assessments such as the Gallup StrengthsFinder. There is not currently a consensus on the accuracy of the test. However, the test was established with a scientific background. It was developed by Dr. Donald O. Clifton and inspired by Dr. Carl Jung, both highly respected psychologists.
Over a million individuals have taken the test, and many have shown their positive results. Therefore, the StrengthsFinder has the potential to be quite accurate if you answer honestly.
What is the meaning of HIGH5test?
The HIGH5 test is an online strengths assessment that is extremely useful for implementing a strengths-based approach to going on a self-improvement journey. The HIGH5 test focuses on your personal strengths and how you can use them as well as improve them.
There are multiple versions of the assessment, including options for teams. Teams get the benefit of coaching options and even strength watch-outs, among many other bonuses. The test will highlight which abilities boost your positivity and rates of success.
Is the HIGH5 test free?
The HIGH5 test does offer a free version to individuals seeking to learn more about their personal strengths and how to use them. There are also paid options available for teams, though. For teams, the team report-only option costs $19 a month, and it includes strength watch-outs, team strengths report, group fit score, and other benefits.
For $49 a month, you get all the benefits of the first option plus personalized individual reports. For $96 a month, you obtain all the benefits of the prior option plus ongoing feedback, weekly coaching insights, and more. The first two options are available for teams consisting of 10 or fewer individuals.
