How Strengths-Based Coaching Transforms Retention at Accounting Firms | MOVE Like This with Angela Oakley

Most firms that try CliftonStrengths treat it as an event. Clark Nuber treats it as a culture. Angela Oakley, Director of the firm's Talent Advisor Program, joins host Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk to share what nearly a decade of strengths-based coaching looks like in practice — and why the difference between a one-time assessment and a lasting development program comes down to consistency, champions, and intention.

Angela has been building this program since 2016, embedding strengths into onboarding, performance conversations, and team dynamics. Her approach is pragmatic: start where there's openness, let success build momentum, and make strengths part of how people talk about their work every day — not just during review season.

For firms wondering why their development investments don't seem to move the needle, this episode offers a clear and practical alternative.

What you'll take away:

• Why strengths-based development builds trust and engagement faster than traditional approaches
• How to use CliftonStrengths in onboarding to accelerate new hire integration
• The right way to find champions and grow a program without top-down mandates
• Why shifting focus from weaknesses to strengths changes the entire culture of feedback
• What it takes to keep a development program alive and relevant year after year

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Resources & Links

Connect with Angela Oakley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-oakley-8a72a44/ 

Learn more about Clark Nuber: https://clarknuber.com

Participate in the Accounting MOVE Project: https://accountingmoveproject.com

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