How to Feed, Use, and Build Your Activator Talent
Every strength has different seasons—times to nurture it, times to apply it, and times to grow it. But we often treat strengths like something that’s already fully deveoped. In reality, your strengths need different things at different moments.
That’s where this framework comes in:
Feed your strength when it’s burned out, underutilized, or out of alignment
Use your strength to move something forward or meet a challenge
Build your strength by refining it, expanding it, or working with its blind spots
Understanding which mode you’re in helps you respond with the right kind of attention—so your strength doesn’t just stay active, it becomes more powerful, sustainable, and effective over time.
Let’s explore how that plays out with “Activator”.
Feed: Reignite the Spark
When “Activator” is burned out or blocked, it can feel like:
You’re stuck waiting on others
You're brimming with ideas but getting nowhere
You start things… but feel guilty for not finishing them
Ways to feed it:
Reconnect to small, quick wins—finish one small task and ride that momentum
Identify what's stifling your starting energy—are you stuck in analysis, approval loops, or other people's timelines?
Give yourself permission to act even if it’s imperfect—action is your fuel, not perfection
Reflection prompt:
What decision or action have I been sitting on that I know I’m ready to move on?
Use: Start What Needs Starting
At its best, “Activator” is a spark that gets things going. It’s especially powerful when:
A team is stuck in overthinking
A plan is ready but unlaunched
People need courage to act
Ways to use it:
Volunteer to kick off new projects or test ideas
Be the voice that says, “Let’s try it and learn as we go”
Help others move from planning to doing
Strengths-based prompt:
How can I use my Activator to unlock or momentum for someone—or something—stuck?
Build: Take Bigger First Steps
Building “Activator” isn’t about starting more—it’s about starting braver. It means stretching your courage to initiate things that feel a little risky, a little uncomfortable, or a lot more visible.
Unbuilt, Activator can lead to:
Starting impulsively without clarity or direction
Leaving others behind in your rush to begin
Avoiding the discomfort of bigger stakes by staying in the “easy to start” zone
How to build and stretch it:
Start something that stretches your courage—something more public, uncertain, or significant
Pair with Strategic, Responsibility, Achiever or Relator to bring depth and follow-through
Learn when to pause and bring others with you—your momentum is more powerful when it’s shared
Trust that you don’t need all the answers to begin—you just need enough clarity to take the first bold step
Stretch prompt:
What bigger or bolder action am I ready to take—even if it scares me a little?
Blind spot check:
Am I moving fast because it’s right—or because it’s easy?
Ready to Work With Your Talents?
If you’ve ever felt stuck, scattered, or unsure how to lead in a way that actually feels like you—your strengths might hold the key. When you understand and work with your natural talents (instead of trying to force a style that doesn’t fit), everything shifts: your clarity, your confidence, and your impact.
Not sure what your top strengths are?
👉 Take the CliftonStrengths® assessment to discover your unique talent profile.
Curious how strengths coaching could support you or your team?
Schedule a free 30-minute strategy session to see if it’s the right fit. We’ll talk about your goals, explore how your strengths show up in your leadership or work, and map out your next step.
