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Deliberative: Loves to Think it Through

People exceptionally talented in the Deliberative CliftonStrengths® theme are best described by the serious care they take in making decisions or choices. They anticipate obstacles.

You are careful. You are vigilant. You are a private person. You know that the world is an unpredictable place. Everything may seem in order, but beneath the surface you sense the many risks. Rather than denying these risks, you draw each one out into the open. Then each risk can be identified, assessed, and ultimately reduced.

Thus, you are a fairly serious person who approaches life with a certain reserve. For example, you like to plan ahead so as to anticipate what might go wrong. You select your friends cautiously and keep your own counsel when the conversation turns to personal matters.

You are careful not to give too much praise and recognition, lest it be misconstrued. If some people don’t like you because you are not as effusive as others, then so be it. For you, life is not a popularity contest. Life is something of a minefield. Others can run through it recklessly if they so choose, but you take a different approach. You identify the dangers, weigh their relative impact, and then place your feet deliberately. You walk with care.

This is an Executing Talent Theme

Those with dominant themes in the Executing Domain know how to make things happen. When the team needs someone to implement a solution, these are the people who will work tirelessly to get it done. Those with a strength to execute have the ability to “catch” an idea and make it a reality.

Deliberative (Short Version)
Theme Thursday
Action Items for This Theme
  • You have naturally good judgment, so consider work in which you can provide advice and counsel. You might be especially adept at legal work, crafting sound business deals, or ensuring compliance of regulations.
  • During times of change, consider the advantages of being conservative in your decision making. Be ready to explain these advantages to others when pressed.
  • You have confidence in your own judgment, so always do what you think is sensible, regardless of the impact on your popularity.
  • You see things that others do not. Whatever your role, take responsibility for helping others think through their decisions. You will soon be sought as a valuable sounding board.
  • Don’t let anyone push you into revealing too much of yourself too soon. Check people out carefully before sharing confidential information. You naturally build friendships slowly, so take pride in your small circle of good friends.
Be ready to:
  • Partner with someone with a strong Command, Self-Assurance, or Activator theme. Together you will make many decisions, and these decisions will be sound.
  • Explain your process of careful decision making. Clarify that you highlight risk in order to take control and reduce it. You don’t want others to misconstrue your Deliberative theme for tentativeness or fear of action.
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(Adapted from Gallup CliftonStrengths® website, www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths)
Copyright © 2020 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved. Gallup®, CliftonStrengths®, and each of the 34 CliftonStrengths® theme names are trademarks of Gallup, Inc.

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𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠? You know that voice, right 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠?

You know that voice, right?
The one that whispers
𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘺𝘦𝘵
and
𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩
and
𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺,
𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘵 all.

It has you carrying 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.
A weight.
Smooth, cold, impossibly heavy.
A stone so flawless
you’re afraid to put it down
because you might
chip it.
You might
fail.

So you stand there.
Holding it.
Going nowhere.

—

Now imagine
letting it
go.

Hear it thud on the ground.
Leave it there.

And instead,
pick up 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬.

Progress is a different kind of stone.
Warm from your grip.
Rough with texture.
It has scratches from where you dropped it
yesterday.
And the day before.
It has your fingerprints
all over it.

This stone—
you don’t just 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 it.
You 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭 it.
You push it uphill.
It gains momentum.
Sometimes it rolls over your own feet.
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘵.
You chose the stone. 
You chose to move. 

—

Progress
isn’t the absence of failure.

It’s
failure,
learned from,
woven into the story,
turned into footing
for the next step.

So here’s the choice, the only one that matters:

The flawless, immovable stone...
or the scarred, moving one?

The monument...
or the path?

𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐬.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠.

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 > 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

- Elviera Schreuder
As we step into 2026, we want to pause and say tha As we step into 2026, we want to pause and say thank you.
Thank you for trusting Virtuous Coaching with your growth, your leadership, and your journey forward.

This past year reminded us that progress is built through intention, clarity, and consistent action. We’re grateful to walk alongside clients who are committed to becoming better leaders, stronger teams, and more fulfilled humans.

Here’s to a new year of sharper focus, braver decisions, meaningful momentum, and sustainable success. We look forward to continuing the work in 2026. One conversation, one breakthrough, one step at a time.

Happy New Year ✨
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