Leveraging Strengths through Multi-year Partnerships

For over a decade, the Make Rhode Island Stronger initiative has been striving toward Leadership Rhode Island’s guiding vision: 

“We see a Rhode Island that is flourishing — economically, civically, culturally — built on a foundation of ever-improving human capital whose strengths and potential we spend each day revealing and igniting.”

Over 350 companies and organizations have partnered with LRI to reveal and ignite the strengths of their people. Using CliftonStrengths as a tool for talent development, our trained coaches lead experiences that empower people to thrive in their workplaces and communities. This approach aligns with Gallup’s global research on what people need most from their leaders — trust, compassion, stability, and hope — with hope identified as the “dominant need” of the modern workplace. Strengths-based development equips leaders to meet these needs by fostering environments where individuals feel valued and motivated to contribute based on their unique talents.  

In 2025, LRI has integrated strengths-based experiences throughout the leadership pipeline – from students preparing to enter the workforce, to emerging leaders, to established teams.  Through a combination of new and long-standing partnerships, we continue to expand our reach and impact across generations, sectors, and industries.  

Strengths-based development is especially powerful for young people as they prepare to enter the workforce. Over eight consecutive summers, more than 2,400 high school students have explored their talents through Skills for Rhode Island’s Future’s PrepareRI program. Students practice the CliftonStrengths language throughout their pre-internship “bootcamp,” developing strategies to communicate and leverage their strengths in the workplace.  At the Rhode Island College School of Business, LRI has worked with over 100 college juniors and seniors across seven semesters to help them recognize and apply their unique strengths as they transition into internships and new professional environments. 

As individuals become established in their careers, LRI partners with cohort-based programs designed to support emerging leaders within specific industries. The Commerce RI Wavemaker Fellowship has offered CliftonStrengths as a development tool for emerging professionals in STEM, education, and healthcare since 2017.  Since 2023, participants in the Rhode Island Bar Association Leadership Academy have deepened their leadership impact by learning to leverage their strengths in service to their teams and communities.

“CliftonStrengths training helped the lawyers in our Leadership Academy get to know one another on a whole new level. Part of the training included the ‘Best of Us’ exercise. Hearing our young lawyers have this dialogue was hugely beneficial. Knowing what brings out the best in our colleagues helps me be a better lawyer and to lead a strong team.” -Nicole Benjamin, Shareholder, Adler Pollock & Sheehan P.C.

Established teams and leaders leverage strengths as a tool for increasing employee engagement, building communication and collaboration, and enhancing organizational performance.  Since 2022, through the generous support of the Papitto Opportunity Connection (POC), LRI has brought strengths training to 700+ individuals representing staff of over 35 nonprofit organizations statewide. In 2025, LRI formed a new partnership with POC grantee Trinity Repertory Company to help staff gain a deeper understanding of how they leverage their natural talents during times of change, transition, and growth. By grounding their work in their individual and collective strengths, team members have been able to enhance cross-functional efforts with a renewed clarity and focus, both on and off the stage. 

 “The strengths work we’ve begun together has helped deepen self-awareness across the organization — from executive and senior leadership, members of our acting company, and staff. We have created a shared language for collaboration, and have been able to highlight the unique contributions each person brings to the work. What’s most exciting is the momentum we’re building—this foundation is already shaping how we lead, communicate, and support one another, and it’s clear that this approach will continue to strengthen both our culture and our impact.” – Monique Austin, Director of People and Culture, Trinity Repertory Company

Through these partnerships, LRI is strengthening Rhode Island’s leadership pipeline across sectors and industries, from students discovering their potential to professionals expanding their impact. Participants have gained insights and practical tools: discovering new perspectives on themselves, engaging in meaningful interactions, and shifting their focus from fixing weaknesses to building on what they do best. By integrating CliftonStrengths into their teams, workplaces, and programs, our lasting partnerships continue to Make Rhode Island Stronger!