Understanding Dynamics of Talent Themes - "Contrasting Themes"

by Dries Lombaard

"Contrasting" means "to differ strikingly".

When we apply it to the understanding within the Talent Theme descriptions, the term "Contrasting themes" is used when we compare two themes that are completely "opposing" in nature when it comes to all three elements of thinking, feeling and behaving. A theme is only contrasting in nature when it finds itself on clear opposite ends of a scale when it comes to thinking, feeling and behaving patterns.  General differences in themes do not qualify them to be contrasting.

What is important when talking about "Contrasting Themes" is to take into account that no two Themes in the CliftonStrengths assessment are incompatible to appear as a pairing - either dominantly or as Non-Patterns.  Therefore, even though certain themes appear to be "opposing" in nature, it is absolutely possible for a person to have both those themes in, for instance, their Top Five - although it is rare. 

Within the CliftonStrengths Assessment, these so-called Contrasting Themes will, in most cases, also be found on opposite clustering ends of the Full 34 Sequence Report - thus if one of the themes is dominant, you can expect the other to be close to a Non-Pattern, or at least lower on the list.  Again, this is not set in stone as you may encounter people where this is not the case.  (For interest’s sake, a great example of a well-known person, within the Strengths Movement, with dominant Contrasting Themes is Marcus Buckingham, who has both Futuristic and Context in his Top Five.)

What are some examples of "Contrasting Talent Themes"?

It is also important to understand what the essential contrasting attributes are within two themes that "push" against each other, thus causing them to be contrasting.  Some themes could be contrasting to more than one other theme - although in different attributes. 

Some obvious examples of "Contrasting Themes", and their essential contrasting attribute(s), include:

• Futuristic and Context
• Future mindset or historic mindset
• Command and Harmony
• Confrontational or conflict avoiding
• Empathy and Analytical
• Emotional or Rational
• Discipline and Adaptability
• Structured or unstructured
• Communication and Intellection
• Verbal processing or intellectual processing
• Consistency and Individualization
• Factual fairness or individual fairness
• Deliberative and Positivity
• Pessimism or optimism
• Deliberative and Self-Assurance
• Risk-averse or risk-taking
• Maximizer and Includer
• Excluding (selective) or including (indiscriminate)
• Maximizer and Restorative
• Strengths-building or weakness-fixing
• Relator and Woo
• Introvert or Extrovert
• Ideation and Consistency
• Creative or unimaginative
• Connectedness and Analytical
• Intuitive or factual
• Competition and Harmony
• Win for one or win for all

Important:  Do not simply assume that two themes will be contrasting in sequence on a report.  If you only have the Top Five results of the CliftonStrengths Report, you should never attempt to predict that another theme will be much lower down in the sequence simply because it is contrasting in nature.  

What is the impact if a person has two contrasting themes pairing dominant?

First of all, when this happens, it is obviously rare.  But there is nothing wrong with the person!  In actual fact, in most cases it "broadens the spectrum" of someone thinking, feeling and behaving in a specific manner.  

For instance, someone with a dominant Deliberative and Self-Assurance will have a natural energy and need to be both cautious and to engage with risk. At times, this may cause some inner conflict within them, or even be confusing to others.  Confusion in others may come from the way someone invests energy in contrasting aspects on both ends, or have the capacity to do so.  When someone is unaware of the impact of talent, energy and need, other people may experience them as uncertain or even insecure.  This is simply because it is so rare to find people with these "seemingly opposing" attributes. 

When contrasting themes are mismanaged, it may actually lead to uncertainty and inner confusion.

When well managed, it is a thing of beauty to experience how someone plays a wide scope within a specific arena.  For instance, with Deliberative and Self-Assurance, they will cover all the necessary bases before engaging in risk, giving people both certainty as well as the excitement of risking the new. The typical "calculated risk taker".

At the end, if themes are complementary, contrasting or super in nature of dynamics, it is all about how you manage the energy and need.

Well managed talents become a strength.  Mismanaged talents become a detriment.

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