Episodes

  • Is Competition A Superpower At Work - Or A Secret Liability? with Brandon Miller

    Is Competition A Superpower At Work - Or A Secret Liability? with Brandon Miller
    Jun 24 2025

    Ever worked with someone so driven to win it feels inspiring… or maybe exhausting?

    Brandon, whose top 10 strengths include a power-packed stack of influencing themes (including Competition, Command, and Woo), makes a compelling case for why Competition, when coached well, can elevate an entire team’s performance.


    In this episode of Strengths on Fire, Sarah and Bill dive into a bold, energizing debate with fellow strengths coach Brandon Miller. You’ll hear stories from Brandon’s life as a coach, dad, and leader, including what pickleball taught him about performance, and why a driven eighth grader became his most inspiring MVP. They explore how Competition fuels preparation, why some of the best performers make the worst coaches, and how to spot the line between healthy drive and team disruption.

    Plus, if Competition is nowhere in your top 10, don’t worry—this episode is packed with insight into how other strengths (like Woo, Achiever, or Relator) can help you compete in your own way. Whether you love the thrill of winning or avoid competition at all costs, this conversation will give you a fresh lens on leadership, motivation, and how to work with (and coach) the driven people around you.


    7 Main Takeaways

    1. Conflict on strong teams is normal and healthy—avoidance is more dangerous than disagreement.
    2. Competition thrives on preparation, not just performance, and that’s where its power lies.
    3. Everyone has the potential to lead, but finding the right role for your leadership matters.
    4. High Competition can uplift a team—or derail it—depending on maturity and coaching.
    5. Woo and Competition together create a drive to win people over and win in general.
    6. Great competitors aren’t always great coaches; self-awareness is key in leadership roles.
    7. Strengths don’t operate in isolation—context, maturity, and pairing with other themes shape behavior.

    Sound Bites

    1. “Strong teams don’t avoid conflict—they work through it.”
    2. “Competition is a superpower when it’s mature, focused, and others-oriented.”
    3. “The best competitors are also the best preparers.”
    4. “Everyone wants to win, but not everyone is wired to need the win.”
    5. “High competition without maturity is just ego on display.”
    6. “Influencing themes like Competition are designed to bring people with you, not just beat them.”
    7. “Immature competition says ‘me first’; mature competition says ‘let’s rise together.’”
    8. “Great competitors show what’s possible—they raise the bar for everyone.”
    9. “Coaching a competitor is easy—just show them how to win and they’re in.”
    10. “A competitor with achiever next door is a podium threat every time.”
    11. “Losing isn’t always the worst thing for a team—it’s sometimes the greatest teacher.”
    12. “Control is the real culprit behind many dumpster fire moments, not just one strength.”
    13. “Your strengths don’t make you great—how you manage them does.”
    14. “Sometimes the best place for a high competitor isn’t on a team—it’s as an individual contributor.”
    15. “A great coach doesn’t say ‘do it like I did’—they say ‘let’s do it your way, but 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

    GET MORE FROM BILL AND SARAH:
    Bill's info:
    https://billdippel.com/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdippel/
    https://www.instagram.com/billdippelcoach/

    Sarah's info:
    https://www.wearecollinsco.com/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/
    https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • What If You Hate Your Strengths? with Jen Werner

    What If You Hate Your Strengths? with Jen Werner
    Jun 17 2025

    Ever looked at your CliftonStrengths results and thought, “Ugh, I don’t like these?” You’re not alone.

    In this honest and energizing episode, Sarah Collins and Bill Dippel sit down with special guest Jen Werner to explore what it really takes to embrace your strengths—especially when they don’t show up the way you expected. Jen shares her personal journey from resisting her strengths to recognizing their power, and the trio dives into the messy, beautiful work of self-awareness, coaching, and growth.You’ll hear real talk about what it’s like to dislike your results, why individualization matters, and how your strengths shape (and sometimes strain) your personal and professional relationships. Whether you’re a coach, a team leader, or someone still figuring out how to own what makes you unique, this episode will leave you feeling seen—and maybe even a little more proud of your quirks.


    🔥 7 Main Takeaways

    1. Strengths culture doesn’t happen by accident.
    2. Ambassadors and in-house coaches are game-changers.
    3. You can’t outsource culture. Bringing in a coach is powerful, but without internal commitment and leadership modeling, strengths won’t transform your team.
    4. Skeptics aren’t the problem—silence is.
    5. Professional development needs consistency.
    6. Curiosity is your secret weapon. When team dynamics get sticky, leading with curiosity over criticism builds trust and opens doors.
    7. One-size-fits-all doesn’t work. Strengths-based development is most effective when it’s tailored to the team’s culture, goals, and internal rhythms.


    💥 Sound Bites

    1. “You can’t call it culture after one workshop.”
    2. “Awareness is the spark. Application is the fire.”
    3. “Ambassadors make the magic last.”
    4. “If your team’s growth is outsourced, it’s not sustainable.”
    5. “The goal isn’t to make everyone a coach—it’s to make coaching normal.”
    6. “A good ambassador doesn’t have all the answers—they ask better questions.”
    7. “Curiosity creates culture. Criticism shuts it down.”
    8. “Skeptics can actually sharpen the system—if you let them talk.”
    9. “One workshop is a start, not a solution.”
    10. “Strengths work isn’t a checklist—it’s a commitment.”
    11. “Don’t expect culture change if no one’s following up.”
    12. “If we’re not building muscle, we’re just giving pep talks.”
    13. “Leaders don’t need to be the loudest—they need to be the most consistent.”
    14. “A coaching culture means strengths live in the day-to-day, not just the kickoff.”
    15. “If you want strengths to stick, give the work to the people—not just the facilitator.”

    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

    GET MORE FROM BILL AND SARAH:
    Bill's info:
    https://billdippel.com/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdippel/
    https://www.instagram.com/billdippelcoach/

    Sarah's info:
    https://www.wearecollinsco.com/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/
    https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/
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    57 mins
  • If Strengths Are So Powerful, Why Do So Many Teams Still Struggle?

    If Strengths Are So Powerful, Why Do So Many Teams Still Struggle?
    Jun 10 2025
    You believe in strengths. You’ve done the workshops. You’re bought in.So… why does your team still hit roadblocks?In this episode, Sarah Collins and Bill Dippel tackle the messy middle of strengths-based development—the part where good intentions meet real-world team dynamics. They dig into bold truths about why teams struggle even when they’ve embraced CliftonStrengths, and what it actually takes to turn awareness into sustained culture change.You’ll hear insights on why one-off workshops don’t stick, how to empower internal champions (aka strengths ambassadors), and what to do when you’ve got skeptics in the room. Whether you’re a leader, coach, or team member trying to get buy-in and build momentum, this episode offers practical strategies to keep the strengths conversation alive—and make it matter. Because knowing your strengths is great. Living them out with your team? That’s where the magic—and the hard work—really begins.🔥 7 Takeaways Knowing your strengths doesn’t magically make you a high-performing team. Strengths awareness is just step one—application, trust, and communication are where the real transformation happens.Teams struggle when strengths stay siloed. Without regular conversations and shared understanding, individual strengths don’t add up to collective success.Assuming good intent is powerful—but it needs structure. Saying “assume the best” isn’t enough without healthy conflict habits and clear expectations.Strengths can clash when left unchecked. What energizes one person might drain or frustrate another—and that’s where dialogue (not judgment) is key.Trust takes time—and intention. Strengths work creates language and self-awareness, but psychological safety is what makes people speak up, lean in, and collaborate deeply.Feedback is essential. If your team avoids it, you’ll plateau. Strengths help people give and receive feedback with more grace and specificity.You can’t just give everyone a report and call it culture. A strengths-based team is built through ongoing conversations, curiosity, and shared responsibility.💥 Sound Bites“Strengths aren’t magic—they’re tools. And tools only work when you use them.”“If you stop at the Top 5 report, you’re stopping at awareness—not impact.”“It’s not about having strengths—it’s about sharing strengths.”“Teams break down when we admire each other’s strengths, but never talk about what we need.”“Assuming good intent only works if we’re also doing the work of building trust.”“If you don’t understand how your strength feels to someone else, you’ll keep creating friction.”“A strength overdone isn’t a superpower—it’s a blind spot.”“You can’t be a high-performing team without psychological safety—period.”“Feedback isn’t a threat—it’s a gift when it’s strengths-based.”“You’ve got your strengths. Cool. Now what?”“Strengths don’t remove tension—they give us a better way to work through it.”“It’s not about fixing people—it’s about finding the best in them together.”“Just because you’re energized doesn’t mean you’re easy to work with.”“We need to normalize strengths conversations like we normalize status updates.”“Your team doesn’t need another offsite—they need honest, curious conversations.”Bill's Top 10 CliftonStrengths 1) Individualization2) Developer3) Activator4) Woo5) Restorative6) Empathy7) Harmony8) Connectedness9) Relator10) Learner Sarah's Top 10 CliftonStrengths 1) Positivity2) Woo3) Communication4) Harmony5) Activator6) Developer7) Input8) Individualization9) Responsibility10) Arranger Official Strengths On Fire Website: https://strengthsonfire.transistor.fm GET MORE FROM BILL AND SARAH:Bill's info: https://billdippel.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdippel/https://www.instagram.com/billdippelcoach/Sarah's info:https://www.wearecollinsco.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/
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    58 mins
  • Is The Strengths Movement Helping People-Or Letting Them Off The Hook?

    Is The Strengths Movement Helping People-Or Letting Them Off The Hook?
    Jun 3 2025
    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 TakeawaysThe strengths philosophy can be misinterpreted as a permission slip to avoid uncomfortable tasks—but that’s not the intent.Great coaching is about helping people use their strengths to do hard things, not avoid them.Different strengths can achieve the same outcomes when used creatively and intentionally.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.Managers and leaders must understand strengths deeply to avoid enabling unproductive behavior.Feedback and growth go hand-in-hand, and sometimes our strengths (like harmony) can prevent us from seeking necessary critique.New podcast segments like “Fireworks” and “Dumpster Fires” offer real-life wins and struggles that make strengths more relatable and human.🔥 Sound Bites“We’re not letting people off the hook—we’re showing them how to hook in differently.”“You can get the same outcome in the world through different strengths.”“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.”“Strengths used irresponsibly can turn into excuses.”“Deliberative isn’t a hall pass to never make a decision—it’s a signal to manage decision-making intentionally.”“We’re not just here to hear stories; we’re here to debate what actually matters.”“That command and self-assurance combo? It gets sh*t done—but it can intimidate a whole room if you’re not careful.”“Your top strengths are your best tools, but they still require sharpening.”“We’re not just here for dumpster fires—welcome to the fireworks.”“When someone says ‘that’s not my strength’ as a stop sign, they’re misusing the tool.”“Letting people hide behind their bottom strengths is a disservice to growth.”“I’m not good at strategizing—but I’ve learned how to get strategic through my strengths.”“This isn’t about coddling people—it’s about calling them forward through what’s right with them.”“Sometimes you don’t need to change the task, you need to change your approach to the task.”“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) Individualization2) Developer3) Activator4) Woo5) Restorative6) Empathy7) Harmony8) Connectedness9) Relator10) Learner Sarah's Top 10 CliftonStrengths 1) Positivity2) Woo3) Communication4) Harmony5) Activator6) Developer7) Input8) Individualization9) Responsibility10) Arranger Official Strengths On Fire Website: https://strengthsonfire.transistor.fm GET MORE FROM BILL AND SARAH:Bill's info: https://billdippel.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdippel/https://www.instagram.com/billdippelcoach/Sarah's info:https://www.wearecollinsco.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Liz Volker: The Interview

    Liz Volker: The Interview
    Apr 22 2025

    In the season one finale of Strengths on Fire, Sarah and Bill welcome the remarkable Liz Volker—homeschooling mom, strengths enthusiast, and graduate of Sarah’s “Strong as a Mother” program. Liz shares how discovering and intentionally applying her top 15 strengths has been truly life-changing, not only for her but for her family. From household systems and values walls to bedtime journals and emotional check-ins, Liz’s strengths-led approach to motherhood is a masterclass in intentional living. This episode is packed with laughs, heartfelt moments, and a fresh take on what it means to be a strong mom who leads with her strengths. Whether you’re a parent or simply someone who wants to live more authentically, this episode is an inspiring reminder that strengths don’t stop at the office door—they’re everywhere we show up in life.

    Takeaways

    • Your strengths don’t just show up at work—they show up in how you parent, partner, and lead at home.
    • Leading with strategic thinking can help you intentionally shape your family life with purpose and vision.
    • Learner and Input together can turn everyday motherhood into a beautiful, strengths-based experiment.
    • Activator energy in parenting means starting bold traditions and building meaningful family rituals.
    • Self-assurance doesn’t have to mean being perfect—it can mean confidently evolving while parenting.
    • Using individualization at home helps you connect with each child in ways that uniquely speak to them.
    • Strengths-based parenting isn’t about fixing kids—it’s about seeing, naming, and growing what’s already strong.
    • Building a culture of recognition at home helps your kids feel seen, valued, and emotionally safe.
    • Homeschooling can be a dream playground for context and futuristic thinkers to shape long-term impact.
    • Command and empathy can coexist—setting boundaries and holding space are both powerful.
    • A bedtime journal is a simple but profound way to nurture connection and recognize your child’s character.
    • Strengths language helps couples better understand and support each other’s different needs.
    • Recognizing your own strengths as a parent gives you confidence and a sense of purpose in the chaos.
    • Knowing what energizes and depletes each family member helps everyone show up as their best selves.
    • Living out your values through systems and rituals is one of the best ways to create a strengths-based home.


    Sound Bites

    • I don’t want to just be a memory giver—I want to be a memory recipient too.
    • My motherhood is going to outlive me—so how am I shaping it today?
    • When I learned my strengths could be my superpowers, it changed everything.
    • I’m not trying to be like other moms—I’m trying to be the best version of me.
    • Strong as a Mother gave me the language to see myself and my family in a whole new way.
    • The more I understand my strengths, the more permission I give my kids to be fully themselves.
    • Recognition isn’t just for work—it’s how we build love, trust, and confidence at home.


    Liz's Top 10 CliftonStrengths
    1) Strategic
    2) Learner
    3) Relator
    4) Input
    5) Responsibility
    6) Individualization
    7) Self-Assurance
    8) Command
    9) Activator
    10) Futuristic

    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

    GET MORE FROM BILL AND SARAH:
    Bill's info:
    https://billdippel.com/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdippel/
    https://www.instagram.com/billdippelcoach/

    Sarah's info:
    https://www.wearecollinsco.com/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/
    https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Anne George, Bill Dippel Strengths Coaching: The Coaches Table

    Anne George, Bill Dippel Strengths Coaching: The Coaches Table
    Apr 15 2025
    What do you get when you blend strategic brilliance with quiet empathy and a deep love of Dungeons & Dragons? Anne George. In this episode, we sit down with Anne, the powerhouse behind the curtain at Bill Dippel Strengths Coaching, to talk about what it means to build a business and a coaching practice around your strengths—and why leaning into your own talents (and hiring for your gaps) isn’t just good advice, it’s the whole game. We explore how Anne’s uncommon combo of analytical + empathy gives her both edge and heart, how she manages different personalities with surgical precision, and why every hybrid event needs an empathy-fueled co-coach to make it work. Oh, and we build a strengths-based D&D party while we’re at it. This episode is full of practical tips, real-life laughs, and serious appreciation for the people who keep things running smoothly.To contact Anne:https://billdippel.com/TakeawaysYou don’t need the Communication strength to be a great communicator—you just need empathy, strategy, and intention.Anne’s rare blend of analytical and empathy is her secret weapon—and her greatest inner tug-of-war.Building a strengths-based business means knowing your gaps and filling them with the right partners.Strategic thinkers like Anne shine brightest when they’re given space to prep, noodle, and plan.When you lead with empathy, your coaching doesn’t just connect—it transforms.Being able to adapt your communication based on someone else’s Top 10 is like having a social superpower.Recognition and thoughtful delegation are rocket fuel for intellection-heavy team members.Hybrid events work so much better when someone is dedicated to engaging the virtual side.We all think differently—but CliftonStrengths gives us the language to explain how and why.Sometimes the thing that looks like a conflict (like empathy vs. analytics) is actually your unique edge.Coaches don’t need to be experts in everything—they just need the right team.Strategic thinkers often have an internal map—so be specific when giving directions!Relationship-building and strategic thinking don’t have to clash—they can create the ultimate coaching combo.Invisible labor (like thinking, planning, and preparing) deserves just as much recognition as loud accomplishments.Developer and intellection together mean Anne’s always thinking about how to help others grow—then circling back to make it even better.Sound BitesI read my Top 10 and thought “am I the villain?”You don’t need the strength of communication to be an incredible communicator.Strategic gave me the map, but empathy made me look for who was being left out.I think a lot of people know we process things differently—they just don’t have the language to explain it.If you try to be great at everything, you’ll end up being mediocre at everything.My task wasn’t to do anything—it was to think. And that filled my bucket.Before strengths, that would have been a fight. After strengths, it was just understanding.Anne’s Top 10 CliftonStrengths1) Analytical2) Learner3) Relator4) Strategic5) Empathy6) Developer7) Intellection8) Responsibility9) Individualization10) ArrangerBill's Top 10 CliftonStrengths 1) Individualization2) Developer3) Activator4) Woo5) Restorative6) Empathy7) Harmony8) Connectedness9) Relator10) Learner Sarah's Top 10 CliftonStrengths 1) Positivity2) Woo3) Communication4) Harmony5) Activator6) Developer7) Input8) Individualization9) Responsibility10) Arranger Official Strengths On Fire Website: https://strengthsonfire.transistor.fm GET MORE FROM BILL AND SARAH:Bill's info: https://billdippel.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdippel/https://www.instagram.com/billdippelcoach/Sarah's info:https://www.wearecollinsco.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Lizzie Vietz, University of Nebraska-Lincoln: The Interview

    Lizzie Vietz, University of Nebraska-Lincoln: The Interview
    Apr 8 2025

    In this episode of Strengths on Fire, Sarah and Bill welcome Lizzie Vietz—strengths superfan, marketing strategist, and the official “Mother of the Arsonists.” With warmth, humor, and incredible insight, Lizzie shares how her strengths have evolved through college, career pivots, marriage, and grad school. The trio dives into the power of knowing yourself, setting intentional goals, and embracing who you are—flaws, focus blocks, and all. With a heavy dose of positivity, peach rings, and real-life WOO, this episode will leave you inspired to flex your strengths and find joy in who you’re becoming.


    To contact Lizzie:
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzie-vietz/

    Takeaways

    • Your strengths aren’t just professional tools—they’re personal superpowers in your daily life.
    • Woo might win hearts, but strategy makes the plan stick.
    • Career transitions are smoother when guided by your values and strengths.
    • Communication is more than just words—when it’s done right, it sings.
    • Positivity doesn’t always look like pep—it often shows up in purpose and presence.
    • Strengths evolve as you evolve—embrace the shift.
    • Knowing when to dream and when to do is the secret sauce of futuristic.
    • Focus is the quiet strength behind getting real work done.
    • Weekly reflections help high-achievers slow down and actually celebrate.
    • Developer and empathy aren’t always flashy—but they fuel connection and care.
    • Boundaries are essential for people with high empathy to thrive.
    • When your strengths are misused, even your best traits can become a dumpster fire.
    • Relationships thrive when both partners understand and leverage each other’s strengths.
    • You’re your longest relationship—get curious about who you are becoming.
    • Sometimes, all you need is a coffee-flavored candy and a podcast to remember your power.


    Sound Bites

    • My futuristic motivates me in the present—not to dream, but to do.
    • When I want to be focused, I calendar block. I’m not half-doing a million things—I’m whole-doing one.
    • Every week, I sit down with my coffee and ask: where did my strengths help me, and where did they get in the way?
    • My husband and I rate house project ideas with percentages. This dream is only 40% serious.
    • Your strengths might shift, but that doesn’t mean you’re inauthentic. It means you’re growing.
    • If I’m not careful, WOO tries to hijack the room—but strategy reminds me to serve, not perform.
    • Empathy can be a sixth sense, or a floodgate. I’ve learned which strengths help me build the boundaries I need.


    Lizzie's Top 10 CliftonStrengths
    1) Futuristic
    2) Woo
    3) Strategic
    4) Communication
    5) Positivity
    6) Competition
    7) Focus
    8) Achiever
    9) Empathy
    10) Developer

    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

    GET MORE FROM BILL AND SARAH:
    Bill's info:
    https://billdippel.com/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdippel/
    https://www.instagram.com/billdippelcoach/

    Sarah's info:
    https://www.wearecollinsco.com/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/
    https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Jennifer Vancil, Communicating Strengths: The Coaches Table

    Jennifer Vancil, Communicating Strengths: The Coaches Table
    Apr 1 2025
    In this episode of Strengths on Fire, we welcome the radiant and wise Jennifer Doyle Vancil of Communicating Strengths—career coach, facilitator, and soon-to-be author. From navigating job transitions to helping clients make meaning of their strengths, Jennifer shares how she blends positivity, communication, and strategy to help people create fulfilling careers (not just impressive résumés). We get into the push-pull of Woo + Relator, what happens when your strengths don’t align with the job title, and how to use curiosity and empathy as a career superpower. Expect thoughtful insights, practical coaching gold, and a whole lot of love for NSYNC (yes, really). If you’re a coach, a career changer, or someone just trying to figure out what’s next—this episode will leave you nodding, smiling, and maybe sending a connection request on LinkedIn.To contact Jennifer:https://www.communicatingstrengths.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifervancilTakeawaysWoo + Relator is a powerful yet tricky combo that wants to meet everyone—and keep them forever.Knowing your strengths gives you language to talk about your value in job interviews and career pivots.Career coaching isn’t about finding any job—it’s about finding a role where your strengths thrive.Communication can be a superpower for encouragement, but also a blind spot if not paired with curiosity.Low Discipline? Build structure through your high themes, like using communication and relationships to stay organized.Strategic thinkers can help others see paths forward when they feel stuck or overwhelmed.Positivity isn’t about glossing over pain—it’s about creating space for hope and honesty.Coaches need to meet clients where they are, not where we want them to be.Individualization and Connectedness help coaches hold space without judgment.Clients with low Ideation need help generating options; clients with high Ideation need help narrowing them down.Not every change is a jump—sometimes it’s just a pivot using the same strengths in a new way.Strengths don’t define the job you can do—they shape how you will do it.Career transitions aren’t linear—they’re cycles of self-discovery, decision-making, and growth.You can use CliftonStrengths to strengthen professional relationships—even with business partners who are your complete opposite.Strengths-based career coaching is part clarity, part encouragement, and a whole lot of personalized strategy.Sound BitesNobody calls me on their best day—so I show up with strengths and structure.We turned Achiever into Communication, and suddenly it worked.Your strengths aren’t just about what you do—they’re how you show up in the world.High Relator and High Woo means I want to know everyone and stay connected forever—it’s beautiful and exhausting.Coaching isn’t about my opinion—it’s about helping someone uncover their truth.When I couldn’t change the system, I realized it was a gravity problem, and I built a bridge to something new.Knowing your client’s strengths helps you coach them the way they need to be coached, not the way you like to coach.Jennifer's Top 10 CliftonStrengths1) Communication2) Connectedness3) Maximizer4) Woo5) Relator6) Positivity7) Belief8) Individualization9) Strategic10) IdeationBill's Top 10 CliftonStrengths 1) Individualization2) Developer3) Activator4) Woo5) Restorative6) Empathy7) Harmony8) Connectedness9) Relator10) Learner Sarah's Top 10 CliftonStrengths 1) Positivity2) Woo3) Communication4) Harmony5) Activator6) Developer7) Input8) Individualization9) Responsibility10) Arranger Official Strengths On Fire Website: https://strengthsonfire.transistor.fm GET MORE FROM BILL AND SARAH:Bill's info: https://billdippel.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdippel/https://www.instagram.com/billdippelcoach/Sarah's info:https://www.wearecollinsco.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/
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    1 hr and 15 mins