Gallup StrengthsFinder: Managing the Command Strength (2024)

There are some people who will assertively voice their opinion or goals for the team – and the rest of the team will immediately follow them. These are people who want the truth, no matter how difficult that may be, and will not feel the least bit uncomfortable confronting the truth. These people take a stand, and other people will be drawn to them and follow them. These are people who have the Command® talent in the StrengthsFinder world.

StrengthsFinder™ is an online assessment developed by Gallup Corporation used by Fortune 500 and many other companies and organizations to develop better teams, grow productivity and increase profitability. Knowing your natural talents and learning how to develop them into Strengths has been proven by Gallup, after 50 years of testing and research, to lead people to success and fulfillment. Are you curious to know your top talents? First take the online StrengthsFinder assessment to discover your talents and then search for a Gallup certified Strengths consultant in your region to show you how to apply those talents.

Command® is the least common of all StrengthsFinder themes with only 5% of people who have completed the StrengthsFinder assessment having Command in their Top 5. Although we don’t see that many people with the Command talent, when it appears, it usually has an impact. Command people have presence and charisma. People who are using their Command talent well can be clear, concise, and inspirational to others. They like good leadership and will step up to take command when other people will not. In fact, Command people are most comfortable when they are in the driver’s seat.

Command® is a powerful theme and has to be used wisely. People with this talent can be encouraging and inspiring to others as long as the talent is used assertively, not aggressively. Command people like difficult challenges because they can use their talent to find ways to overcome the challenges and persuade others.

To command is to serve, nothing more and nothing less. – Andre Malraux

If you are managing a person with the Command® theme in his or her Top 5, consider the following recommendations:

• Command people know how to persuade people to get a project or objective going. Ask them to take over in situations like this.
• Do you need to know what is going on in your department or company? Ask Command people. They will give the information to you straight but don't be surprised if the explanation is different from your own. Command people will often have creative ideas in situations such as this.
• Command people don't need close supervision; make sure that they are given plenty of leeway to make decisions and take the lead.
• Always be direct and honest with Command people especially if they are not leading correctly. Be firm, and ask them to course correct immediately. Once the mistake is corrected, they should move forward and so should you.
• Command people can be intimidating and can ruffle feathers. Should you try to change these people so that they are less assertive and direct? It might be more worthwhile to make sure that colleagues understand that assertiveness is part of the Command profile and helps them to be effective.

Susan Surtel is the President of Strengths Canada and is a Gallup Certified Strengths Learning Consultant based in Toronto, Canada. She has over 20 years’ experience as a training curriculum designer, developer, and facilitator. She works with individuals and teams to help them discover and develop their Strengths to increase productivity, profitability, and retention. Susan’s Top Signature themes are Input, Maximizer, Achiever, Connectedness, and Learner.