How Subaru of Winchester Achieved 100% Strengths Assessment Completion
How did Subaru of Winchester achieve 100% participation in the CliftonStrengths® assessment, and what impact has it had on their team dynamics and overall performance?
At CMA, we recently celebrated a milestone that will unlock the potential of each employee and the entire store. Subaru of Winchester, led by General Manager Mandy, achieved full participation in the CliftonStrengths® assessment. This means every employee has taken the Strengths assessment and received their results. This post unpacks how they achieved this milestone, what it reveals, and why it matters.
The Journey to 100% Completion
The process began with Mandy contacting CMA’s Strengths administrator, who was responsible for administering the assessment. She provided a list of associates who had not yet completed it, allowing Mandy to track progress.
To motivate the team, Mandy turned the completion of the assessment into a friendly competition among department managers. Each manager was tasked with encouraging their team members to complete the assessment by a set deadline, with the promise of a reward if they succeeded. This competitive spirit and the managers’ buy-in ensured that everyone took the time to complete the assessment.
Additionally, new hires were integrated into the process seamlessly. On their first day, they were introduced to the assessment as part of their onboarding routine, thanks to a QR code set up by the Strengths administrator. This ensured that every associate, old and new, was included in the initiative. Mandy found the interest in the new hires’ strengths impacted the new hires and helped them feel a greater sense of welcome and belonging.
Listen to a podcast about this milestone:
The Strengths Mix of Subaru of Winchester
The strengths assessment revealed a unique mix of talents within the Subaru of Winchester team. The top themes identified were:
Responsibility®: Associates take psychological ownership of their work, ensuring reliability and a strong sense of duty.
Achiever®: The team is characterized by a high stamina level and a drive to stay busy and accomplish tasks.
Relator®: Building deep relationships, finding common ground, and fostering a strong team spirit are priorities.
Deliberative®: Careful decision-making and thoughtful consideration are hallmarks of the team, ensuring well-judged actions.
Belief®: Associates are driven by their core values, finding purpose and meaning in their work.
This strengths mix highlights a highly productive and deeply connected store, with a strong emphasis on responsibility and achievement.
The Value of the Entire Store Doing the Assessment
Completing the strengths assessment across the entire store has brought numerous benefits:
Enhanced Team Cohesion: Understanding each other's strengths has fostered a sense of unity and collaboration. Associates are more aware of how to leverage each other's talents, leading to better teamwork.
Improved Management: Managers can tailor their approach to each associate's strengths, leading to more effective leadership and higher job satisfaction.
Increased Engagement: Associates are more engaged and motivated, knowing their unique talents are recognized and valued.
Better Customer Service: By better understanding their strengths, associates can align their roles with their natural abilities, improving customer interactions and service.
What's Special About Mandy and Her Store
As the General Manager, Mandy has played a pivotal role in this initiative. Her leadership and innovative approach have set Subaru of Winchester apart. She ensured full participation and engagement by turning the assessment into a fun and competitive activity. Her ability to integrate new hires into the process from day one has also been crucial.
Listen to a podcast about how Mandy’s strengths changed when she became the General Manager:
Mandy's store stands out for achieving 100% assessment completion and the way the team has embraced the insights gained. The pizza party celebration, where associates could see their strengths projected on the wall and discuss them over a slice, exemplifies the store's commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive culture.
In conclusion, Subaru of Winchester's journey with the strengths assessment has been a testament to the power of understanding and leveraging individual talents. Under Mandy's leadership, the store has achieved full participation and reaped the benefits of a more cohesive, engaged, and effective team. This initiative has set a new standard for how strengths assessments can transform a workplace, making Subaru of Winchester a model for others to follow.
Gallup®, CliftonStrengths®, and the theme names are trademarks and copyrights of Gallup, Inc.
Cat, it's definitely been a positive move to have employees take the assessment. I've been using this assessment for ten years at various places and have seen more enthusiasm and connection and productivity as a result.
It is such an honor and a pleasure to work with this Team at CMA's Subaru of Winchester!