Imagine a team meeting where ideas flow freely, trust runs high, and collaboration feels effortless.
That kind of synergy isn’t luck, it’s strengths in action. Through Gallup’s CliftonStrengths framework, Indiana Philanthropy Alliance’s Unleash Your Strengths workshop helps funders and foundation teams tap into their natural talents to work smarter, communicate better, and achieve greater impact together.
Why It Matters
Strong teams don’t fix what’s wrong; they build on what’s right.
When each person operates from their strengths, energy rises, engagement grows, and collaboration becomes easier. Gallup research shows that strengths-based teams are 6x more likely to be engaged, 3x more likely to report excellent quality of life, and experience up to 72% lower turnover.
What You'll Gain
- A shared language for collaboration and feedback
- Clear insight into one another’s talents and how they complement each other
- Practical ways to apply strengths to daily work and decision-making
- Renewed energy, trust, and connection as a team
This opportunity was a great balance of personal growth and team development. We left feeling empowered to collaborate, thanks to John’s relatable and effective facilitation across our multigenerational team.
What Makes This Different
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all training.
Unleash Your Strengths is designed by and for philanthropy professionals, blending evidence-based practice with the realities of foundation life.
- Led by a Gallup-Certified Coach who understands philanthropy
- Customized to your team’s goals and dynamics
- Energizing, interactive, and grounded in real-world application
About Our Trainer
John Ferguson brings a rare blend of expertise, energy, and empathy to every CliftonStrengths workshop. A Gallup-trained coach and experienced facilitator, John is passionate about helping individuals and teams unlock their natural talents and use them to thrive at work and in life.
At IPA, John leads learning experiences that support grantmakers across the state. He specializes in designing programs that foster connection, collaboration, and personal growth within Indiana’s philanthropic community.
Before joining IPA, John served as a Fellow at The Patterson Foundation in Sarasota, Florida, supporting innovation, digital access, and nonprofit capacity-building. Earlier in his career, he spent nearly two decades in the hospitality industry, where he developed and led high-performing teams, an experience that continues to shape his practical, people-first approach.
With John as your facilitator, your team can expect an experience that is:
- Engaging: High energy, approachable, and grounded in real-world application
- Customized: Tailored to your team’s dynamics, goals, and sector-specific challenges
- Transformational: Focused on creating lasting shifts in how your team works together
Whether you’re new to CliftonStrengths or looking to build on previous training, John will meet your team where they are and help take them where they want to go.
Ready to Strengthen Your Team?
When your team works from its strengths, collaboration flows, innovation grows, and your mission moves forward. Send us your training request or reach out to John Ferguson with questions.
Questions?
Reach out to us.
