Your Input Talent: Collecting What’s Interesting
"The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library." – Albert Einstein
Ever met someone who always seems to have an interesting fact, a well-timed quote, or the perfect book recommendation? Someone who thrives on gathering and storing useful information? That’s the power of the "Input" Talent Theme. People with this talent don’t just acquire knowledge; they collect, store, and retrieve it in ways that make a meaningful impact on themselves and those around them.
If "Input", from the Strategic Thinking Domain, is one of your top talents, you likely have an insatiable curiosity and a natural inclination to gather things that provide value, whether that’s facts, resources, ideas, or even relationships. You don’t just accumulate randomly; you collect with intention. Whether it's keeping a running list of book recommendations, storing insightful quotes, or curating a network of knowledgeable people, your ability to gather and retain meaningful information is one of your greatest strengths.
I don’t have "Input" in my top 10, but I’ve worked with many clients who do, and I have close relationships with people who have it high as well. My personal observation? "Input" is an accumulation talent. Some strengths are about sorting or paring down, like how "Strategic" sorts to only the best path forward or how "Relator" is a talent that selects which relationships they want to deepen, but "Input" is about acquiring and preserving.
People with this talent naturally identify and hold onto things that provide value based on what their other strengths deem important. I've had clients who collect sentimental items, cherishing the memories associated with their loved ones. Others accumulate people with expertise or valuable connections so they can call on them when needed. Some clients collect ideas, constantly seeking "input" from others to refine their thinking and decisions. From my experience, this talent is fundamentally about collecting and storing sources of knowledge, interest, or meaning, and these are things that originate outside oneself but hold significance.
"Input" in Action
"Input" vs. "Learner": Both talents crave knowledge, but "Learner", also from the Strategic Thinking domain, thrives on the process of learning itself, whereas "Input" enjoys collecting and storing knowledge for future use.
"Input" vs. "Intellection": "Intellection", Also from the Strategic thinking domain, is about deep thinking and internal processing, while "Input" gathers external sources of knowledge to enhance thinking and decision-making.
Leverage Your "Input" Talent
Lead with "Input"
Share your knowledge with others—whether through writing, teaching, or mentoring.
Be the go-to resource in your field by curating valuable insights, tools, and references.
Trust your instinct to gather information, but ensure you also take action on what you collect.
Work with "Input"
Seek out roles that allow you to research, organize information, or be a subject-matter expert.
Pair with talents like "Strategic" or "Discipline" to help refine and organize what you collect.
Balance your accumulation with application—don’t just collect; use what you’ve gathered to create impact.
Live with "Input"
Define what’s worth collecting so you don’t become overwhelmed by unnecessary information.
Establish systems for storing and retrieving the knowledge you gather efficiently.
Be mindful of when to stop gathering and start acting—knowledge is most powerful when applied.
Coach Someone with "Input"
Help them create a system for organizing their knowledge so it’s easy to retrieve when needed.
Encourage them to apply what they’ve learned instead of getting stuck in constant accumulation.
Remind them that not all information is equally valuable—help them refine their focus based on their goals.
Discover the Strength of Your "Input" Talent
Do you naturally collect knowledge, ideas, and resources? Is "Input" one of your top talents?
The CliftonStrengths® assessment can help you uncover and understand your natural talents. Gain personalized insights that empower you to use your strengths with confidence.
👉 Discover Your Top 5 Talents
👉 Unlock All 34 of Your Talents
Want to take it further? Strengths coaching can help you fully embrace your talents, communicate your value, and create meaningful impact.
Ready to make the most of your "Input" talent? Schedule your free strategy session today and learn how strengths-based coaching can help you maximize your potential.
