Why the CLYOScope® is my new favorite instrument

My story with strengths assessments began in 2007 – with the VIA-IS, the Inventory of Strengths. At the time, it was a real revelation for me: a scientifically sound instrument that allows people to focus on their strengths rather than their weaknesses. This fundamentally shaped my work as a coach.

Then, at the client's request, CliftonStrengths was added. Over 80 two-day seminars, countless team development sessions, years of intensive work with the tool. Alongside this, instruments like the BIP – the Bochum Inventory for Work-Related Personality Description – are used. It's not a strengths test, but a personality test, yet scientifically sound and proven in practice in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. I owe a large part of my experience to all these instruments.

But when I first held the CLYOScope® in my hands, it quickly became clear: This goes a step further.

What I owe to the instruments used so far

CliftonStrengths has made strengths-based work socially acceptable. With 34 talent themes, used millions of times worldwide, and available in 26 languages, the tool has shown that a strengths-based approach is not a "soft" topic, but measurably increases performance and satisfaction.

The VIA-IS has opened a different door: strengths not only as performance drivers, but as expressions of character and a good life. Rooted in positive psychology, with 24 character strengths. Both instruments have fundamentally changed my perspective on people.

The continuation of Zurich

And this is where it gets interesting: The CLYOScope® was developed by CLYOS, a startup from the University of Zurich. Alexander Stahlmann, the scientific mind behind the test, previously worked at the chair with Prof. Willibald Ruch where the VIA-IS was also developed. The work is based on international research findings related to the VIA-IS and the research conducted at the chair. So there is a direct continuation – not a break, but a consistent further development. The Zurich VIA-IS website now links to CLYOS. That pretty much says it all.

In everything I do, I want to maintain a connection to research. One of my professors once said: It must at least be in line with research. The CLYOScope® fulfills this requirement – and goes beyond it. It incorporates the latest test theory, a lexical approach, and an empirical basis of over 7,000 German adjectives.

In April, I participated in the reflection session for developing the categories – as one of the experts who were allowed to provide feedback. Then, at the end of October 2025, I was part of the very first certification group. CLYOScope® has been live since November 1st. So I was fortunate enough to be involved from the very beginning and witness how research became a practical tool.

What makes the CLYOScope® different

48 strengths instead of 24. The finer resolution makes a noticeable difference in precision. Where the results were sometimes a bit rough with 24 strengths, the 48 properties offer significantly more differentiation. You notice this immediately when you hold the report in your hands.

Every strength is positive – truly every single one. And that's the point that convinced me the most. There are no bad strengths. If something isn't working, it's not because one strength is "too much," but because the balancing complementary strength is missing. Instead of "You're too risk-prone," it's: "Your willingness to take risks is fantastic – and it becomes even more powerful when you also incorporate your awareness of danger." This isn't a cosmetic difference – it changes how people think about themselves.

Developed for the German-speaking world. The terms feel like words you actually use. "Capacity for enjoyment," "drive for research," "impartiality"—no translation needed (Disclaimer: The final English names for the strengths are not yet known). Add to that a structure of 16 themes and 8 areas that shows how strengths are interconnected, what attitudes and needs underlie them, and where friction can arise between people. For coaching practice, this is invaluable.

In-depth analyses. The personal report comprises 30 pages – with concrete suggestions for everyday life and work, a complementary strengths analysis, and reflection questions. This is not a superficial classification, but a genuine foundation for action. And for each of the 48 characteristics, there is a short explanatory video on YouTube – helpful for getting started and for further study between coaching sessions.

What my own profile showed me

My greatest strengths: comprehension, creativity, willingness to take risks, capacity for enjoyment, ability to reflect, talent development, expressiveness, thirst for knowledge, impartiality, and humor. Much of this I had expected.

What surprised me was how the interplay suddenly made sense. Creativity paired with a thirst for knowledge and a willingness to take risks – no wonder I'm constantly trying new things. Reflective ability combined with impartiality – that explains why I tend to mediate in conflicts rather than take sides.

And then there are the complementary strengths: My creativity is in tension with my drive to create. In other words: I have a thousand ideas, but when it comes to implementation, things sometimes get shaky. That hit home. Not as a criticism, but as an honest invitation to take a closer look.

Not an either-or situation – but a clear recommendation

Good diagnostics depend on choosing the right instrument for the right situation. But if someone asks me which strengths test I recommend for the German-speaking world – scientifically sound, consistently positive, linguistically accessible without translation barriers, and with in-depth analysis – then my answer is now clear.

With coaching sessions now in the double digits, I'm delving ever deeper into the intricacies. The tool grows with practice – and practice grows with the tool.

And one prospect that I'm particularly excited about: an English version is in the works. Then I can also use CLYOScope® in international team development. That would open up a whole new world of possibilities.

Hats off to the CLYOS team and especially to the scientific director, Alexander Stahlmann. What you've accomplished is truly impressive.

Disclosure: I work with CLYOScope® and was part of the first certification group. I am convinced of the tool's value – but that's precisely why I work with it, not the other way around.