Hogan vs CliftonStrengths vs Big 5 of Strategy — Choosing the Right Tool for Growth and Leadership
Hogan vs CliftonStrengths — Which Tool Supports Real Growth?
Both Hogan and CliftonStrengths are widely used in leadership development, but they serve very different purposes:
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Hogan focuses on personality risks, derailers, and fit especially in hiring and selection.
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CliftonStrengths (formerly StrengthsFinder) identifies and ranks your top talents to help you focus on what you naturally do best.
Each has value. But in today’s world, leaders face increasing pressure to deliver results, adapt quickly, and lead through uncertainty. That means professionals need more than talent insights or risk diagnostics, they need to understand and build strategic capability.
Enter the Big 5 of Strategy.
What Are Hogan and CliftonStrengths Designed For?
Hogan Assessments
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Measures personality traits, risk factors, and values
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Used heavily in executive hiring and risk mitigation
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Typically requires certified practitioners and expert interpretation
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Not focused on capability development
CliftonStrengths
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Ranks 34 themes like Achiever, Strategic, Learner
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Encourages people to build on their natural talents
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Easy to use in coaching and L&D contexts
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Focuses on who you are, not how you perform or grow
Why They May Not Be Enough in 2025
Hogan is great for identifying red flags. CliftonStrengths is great for naming talent.
But neither:
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Helps you understand how you operate under strategic pressure
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Reflects your ability to lead in complex systems
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Shows you how to grow
In today’s world, leadership is about action, adaptability, and deliberate growth, not just self-insight.
Big 5 of Strategy: Built for Strategic Capability
The Big 5 of Strategy assesses how you lead, grow, and deliver results under pressure. It focuses on five integrated, research-based competencies:
Grasp the Present
Shape the Future
Move the System
Deliver the Results
Adapt to Change
It’s not a personality tool. It’s a strategic self-assessment designed for professionals who want to lead and grow in real complexity.
Hogan vs CliftonStrengths vs Big 5 of Strategy
Feature | Hogan | CliftonStrengths | Big 5 of Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
Core Model | Risk + personality | Talent themes | Strategic competencies |
Use Case | Executive screening | Coaching, development | Growth, leadership, strategy |
Output | Risk + fit profiles | Ranked strengths | Strategic strength profile |
Development Focus | Limited | Partial | Built-in and practical |
Accessibility | Requires expert | Easy to use | Self-guided and immediate |
Workplace Fit | High for selection | High for coaching | High for complexity and leadership |
Scientific Foundation | Proprietary research | Proprietary research | Proprietary research |
Choosing the Right Tool in 2025
It depends on your goal:
If You Need | Choose |
|---|---|
To assess risk in hiring | Hogan |
To reflect on top talents | CliftonStrengths |
To grow strategically, lead effectively, and adapt fast | Big 5 of Strategy |
Why the Big 5 of Strategy Is the Most Forward-Looking Tool
Most assessments tell you who you are.
The Big 5 of Strategy shows you what you can become — and how to get there.
It’s designed for:
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Professionals in high-responsibility roles
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Leaders facing increasing complexity
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Coaches helping clients shift from insight to capability
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Organizations focused on future-ready development
