Strengths On Fire

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Is The Strengths Movement Helping People-Or Letting Them Off The Hook?

/ 01:14:48/S2:E1
Season 2 is here—and we’re starting with a spark. In this kickoff episode, Strengths on Fire hosts Sarah Collins and Bill Dippel take you behind the scenes of what worked (and what didn’t) in Season 1, and unveil an all-new format packed with bold questions, real talk, and more audience interaction than ever. The big question on the table: Is the strengths movement helping people grow—or giving them a free pass to opt out? You’ll hear honest stories about coaching clients, marriage dynamics, team challenges, and even awkward feedback moments—all through the lens of CliftonStrengths. Along the way, you’ll learn how to call people in instead of letting them off the hook, how to use your strengths to handle tough tasks (even if they’re at the bottom of your list), and why great leaders turn criticism into recognition. Whether you’re a coach, leader, or someone just trying to figure out how to grow without burning out, this episode will challenge you, entertain you, and get you thinking deeper about how strengths really show up at work and in life

🎯 Main Takeaways
  1. The strengths philosophy can be misinterpreted as a permission slip to avoid uncomfortable tasks—but that’s not the intent.
  2. Great coaching is about helping people use their strengths to do hard things, not avoid them.
  3. Different strengths can achieve the same outcomes when used creatively and intentionally.
  4. Just because a theme is in your bottom 5 doesn’t mean you can’t succeed in that area—it just means you’ll get there differently.
  5. Managers and leaders must understand strengths deeply to avoid enabling unproductive behavior.
  6. Feedback and growth go hand-in-hand, and sometimes our strengths (like harmony) can prevent us from seeking necessary critique.
  7. New podcast segments like “Fireworks” and “Dumpster Fires” offer real-life wins and struggles that make strengths more relatable and human.

🔥 Sound Bites
  1. “We’re not letting people off the hook—we’re showing them how to hook in differently.”
  2. “You can get the same outcome in the world through different strengths.”
  3. “Just because something is at the bottom of your list doesn’t mean you can’t do it—it means you won’t do it the same way as someone else.”
  4. “Strengths used irresponsibly can turn into excuses.”
  5. “Deliberative isn’t a hall pass to never make a decision—it’s a signal to manage decision-making intentionally.”
  6. “We’re not just here to hear stories; we’re here to debate what actually matters.”
  7. “That command and self-assurance combo? It gets sh*t done—but it can intimidate a whole room if you’re not careful.”
  8. “Your top strengths are your best tools, but they still require sharpening.”
  9. “We’re not just here for dumpster fires—welcome to the fireworks.”
  10. “When someone says ‘that’s not my strength’ as a stop sign, they’re misusing the tool.”
  11. “Letting people hide behind their bottom strengths is a disservice to growth.”
  12. “I’m not good at strategizing—but I’ve learned how to get strategic through my strengths.”
  13. “This isn’t about coddling people—it’s about calling them forward through what’s right with them.”
  14. “Sometimes you don’t need to change the task, you need to change your approach to the task.”
  15. “Our job as coaches isn’t to let people stay comfortable—it’s to help them show up better.”
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
 








Creators and Guests

Bill Dippel
Host
Bill Dippel
Bill Dippel is a certified, professional Strengths coach with a 35-year career in nonprofits and higher education. His passion is working with organizations, teams, and individuals to ensure they are performing and communicating at the highest levels. As president of Bill Dippel Strengths Coaching, he travels frequently for large events and public speaking, as well as working with whole companies through their management teams.
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Sarah Collins
Host
Sarah Collins
Sarah Collins is a certified CliftonStrengths coach and founder of Collins Collective, with over 12 years of experience in strengths-based coaching and leadership development. Her passion lies in empowering businesses, teams, and individuals to communicate and perform at their best by focusing on what they do well. As the leader of Collins Collective, Sarah combines engaging workshops, high-impact keynotes, and in-depth coaching to foster growth and connection. Based in Nebraska, she partners with businesses to drive meaningful change and create high-performing teams.
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Is The Strengths Movement Helping People-Or Letting Them Off The Hook?

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