People with strong Woo talents are at their best when they are helping others open up and connect.
Woo®
A theme in the Influencing domain of CliftonStrengths
People exceptionally talented in the Woo theme love the challenge of meeting new people and winning them over. They derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection with someone.
Full Theme Description
Woo stands for winning others over. You enjoy the challenge of meeting new people and getting them to like you. Strangers are rarely intimidating to you.
On the contrary, strangers can be energising. You are drawn to them. You want to learn their names, ask them questions, and find some area of common interest so that you can strike up a conversation and build rapport. Some people shy away from starting up conversations because they worry about running out of things to say. You don't.
Not only are you rarely at a loss for words; you actually enjoy initiating with strangers because you derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection. Once that connection is made, you are quite happy to wrap it up and move on. There are new people to meet, new rooms to work, new crowds to mingle in.
In your world there are no strangers, only friends you haven't met yet — lots of them.
This Theme’s Power and Edge
People with strong Woo talents bring energy to social situations. They can connect with others and act as catalysts in helping people connect with one another. They have an exceptional ability to draw others out of their shells.
How People with Strong Woo Talents Describe Themselves
"I am an engaging greeter."
"I need new people to meet, new rooms to work, new crowds to mingle in."
"I love meeting someone I haven't met before."
"I hate a static or shrinking social network."
"I bring energy to social situations."
Theme Contrast
| Woo | Can build a broad social network. |
| Relator | Can build a deep social network. |
| Woo | Winning others over. |
| Competition | Winning over others. |
Woo Helps and Hinders
Helps
You are naturally friendly and quickly set people at ease. This makes others want to work with you.
Your natural networking ability creates connections that you can share — when you talk with others, you often connect them with people who can help them.
Your network is often a source of solutions when your team gets stuck and can't find the answer.
Your bridge-building capability can be an asset in connecting your team with other departments and constituencies.
Hinders
Your need for making numerous connections can cause others to see you as superficial and less than genuine in your relationships. Check yourself — are you primarily making connections that will benefit you and your advancement, or are you genuinely making relationships that focus on others? People can see through insincerity.
You want — need — to be liked, which by itself is not a bad thing. But sometimes this can prevent you from delivering hard news or having a necessary though difficult conversation.
You are quick to praise others. Be sure your praise is authentic, deserved and individualised.
Some people might find your high energy and natural enthusiasm off-putting. Take stock of your surroundings, and match your Woo to the needs of those you are winning over.
If Woo is a Dominant Theme for You, Take Action to Maximise Your Potential
Build your network of acquaintances. Tend to it by checking in with each person at least once a month.
Join local organisations, volunteer for boards and find ways to get on the social lists of the influential people in your community.
Learn the names of as many people as you can. Keep track of the people you know, and add names as you become acquainted. Include a snippet of personal information for each contact to help you remember something unique about each person.
Stay in touch with your peers in professional organisations. This will help you build your network and increase the number of experienced resources you can tap for help with any issues that arise.
Take responsibility for helping put more reserved people at ease in social situations.
Practice ways to charm and engage others. For example, research people before you meet them so that you can find common ground.
Find the right words to explain to people that networking is part of your style. If you don’t claim this theme, others might mistake it for insincerity and wonder why you are so friendly.
Partner with someone with strong Relator or Empathy talents. This person can solidify the relationships that you begin.
Potential Blind Spots to Watch Out for
Others may view you as shallow and insincere because you connect with people quickly then move on. In social situations, when you are talking with someone and have the urge to go meet someone else, try to remember that some people may just be getting comfortable.
You may have a tendency to reveal yourself and trust others too quickly. This may cause more reserved people to step back from a relationship. Be aware that people’s personal comfort zones differ, and you will need to adjust your approach if you want to win people over.
If Woo Is a Lesser Theme for You
Think about how you meet new people. Without Woo as a dominant theme, you are probably more likely to be reserved and move at a slower social pace. But this does not mean you can't or won't meet new people.
Find those among your top themes that help you connect with others. For example, Input, Learner or Relator talents can help you initiate conversations on topics of interest, gather information or connect with people you can learn from.
Attend meetings or events with people you know. Lean on them to help you connect with others.
Before attending a meeting or event, make a list of current events, questions or topics to use as conversation starters.
Ask outgoing coworkers or friends to help you network. They can introduce you to new people, and through conversations, you can develop connections.
Source: Gallup®
“He liked to like people; therefore people liked him.”
— Mark Twain, humourist, writer and lecturer