What happens when three Activators get together for a podcast? You pivot mid-show, toss the script, and dive into a whole new debate. 🎙️

This week, Sarah and Bill are joined by Melissa Ortiz, founder of Activate Human Capital Group, longtime strengths coach, and all-around powerhouse of influence. Together, they tackle one of the most common questions in the coaching world: Should you retake CliftonStrengths—or are your first results the truest reflection of who you are?

From survey bias to life stages, from the science behind consistency to the lived experience of shifting themes like Adaptability, the conversation is candid, funny, and refreshingly real. Along the way, Melissa shares insights from her time at Gallup, her philosophy of “meet people where they are,” and her belief that the real value of strengths isn’t in the test—it’s in what you do with it.

Whether you’re a coach, a leader, or just curious about your own results, this episode will help you stop overthinking and start applying your strengths with more clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Main Takeaways

Your first CliftonStrengths results are often the most accurate—later retakes can be influenced by “survey bias.”
Strengths don’t fundamentally change, but life seasons can stretch certain talents (hello, parents with Adaptability).
Retaking the assessment may make sense if you took it young, in a non-native language, or under stress.
The magic isn’t in the paper—it’s in how you name, claim, and aim your results.
Different tools (Strengths, Predictive Index, Enneagram, etc.) are all languages; what matters most is using them well.
Obsessing over numbers or order distracts from the real question: How are you leveraging your talents today?
Top 5 vs. Full 34? Both work—what matters is focus, application, and depth.

Sound Bites

“We put so much stock in the back end and not enough in what you’re going to do with it.”
“The first time you take the assessment is the most accurate—before you know what you’re looking for.”
“If you want a different result, ask yourself: am I retesting—or resisting who I really am?”
“Strengths don’t change—you just get more sophisticated in how you use them.”
“Stop questioning the arrows. Go make better experiences in the world.”
“Survey bias is real—you can’t un-know the questions once you’ve seen them.”
“People don’t leave because of a missing strength—they leave because relationships are broken.”
“Whether it’s Top 5 or 34, the goal is the same: name it, claim it, aim it.”
“The worst thing you can do is let a piece of paper tell you who you are.”
“Sometimes, the dumpster fire is just you being fully you—and that’s not a bad thing.”

Bill's Top 10 CliftonStrengths

1) Individualization

2) Developer

3) Activator

4) Woo

5) Restorative

6) Empathy

7) Harmony

8) Connectedness

9) Relator

10) Learner

Sarah's Top 10 CliftonStrengths

1) Positivity

2) Woo

3) Communication

4) Harmony

5) Activator

6) Developer

7) Input

8) Individualization

9) Responsibility

10) Arranger

Official Strengths On Fire Website: https://strengthsonfire.transistor.fm

Sarah's info:
https://www.wearecollinsco.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/
https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/

Clifton Strengths, One and Done or Rerun? Should You Retest?: With Melissa Ortiz