In this episode of Strengths on Fire, we welcome the radiant and wise Jennifer Doyle Vancil of Communicating Strengths—career coach, facilitator, and soon-to-be author. From navigating job transitions to helping clients make meaning of their strengths, Jennifer shares how she blends positivity, communication, and strategy to help people create fulfilling careers (not just impressive résumés). We get into the push-pull of Woo + Relator, what happens when your strengths don’t align with the job title, and how to use curiosity and empathy as a career superpower. Expect thoughtful insights, practical coaching gold, and a whole lot of love for NSYNC (yes, really). If you’re a coach, a career changer, or someone just trying to figure out what’s next—this episode will leave you nodding, smiling, and maybe sending a connection request on LinkedIn.
To contact Jennifer:
https://www.communicatingstrengths.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifervancil
Takeaways
- Woo + Relator is a powerful yet tricky combo that wants to meet everyone—and keep them forever.
- Knowing your strengths gives you language to talk about your value in job interviews and career pivots.
- Career coaching isn’t about finding any job—it’s about finding a role where your strengths thrive.
- Communication can be a superpower for encouragement, but also a blind spot if not paired with curiosity.
- Low Discipline? Build structure through your high themes, like using communication and relationships to stay organized.
- Strategic thinkers can help others see paths forward when they feel stuck or overwhelmed.
- Positivity isn’t about glossing over pain—it’s about creating space for hope and honesty.
- Coaches need to meet clients where they are, not where we want them to be.
- Individualization and Connectedness help coaches hold space without judgment.
- Clients with low Ideation need help generating options; clients with high Ideation need help narrowing them down.
- Not every change is a jump—sometimes it’s just a pivot using the same strengths in a new way.
- Strengths don’t define the job you can do—they shape how you will do it.
- Career transitions aren’t linear—they’re cycles of self-discovery, decision-making, and growth.
- You can use CliftonStrengths to strengthen professional relationships—even with business partners who are your complete opposite.
- Strengths-based career coaching is part clarity, part encouragement, and a whole lot of personalized strategy.
Sound Bites
- Nobody calls me on their best day—so I show up with strengths and structure.
- We turned Achiever into Communication, and suddenly it worked.
- Your strengths aren’t just about what you do—they’re how you show up in the world.
- High Relator and High Woo means I want to know everyone and stay connected forever—it’s beautiful and exhausting.
- Coaching isn’t about my opinion—it’s about helping someone uncover their truth.
- When I couldn’t change the system, I realized it was a gravity problem, and I built a bridge to something new.
- Knowing your client’s strengths helps you coach them the way they need to be coached, not the way you like to coach.
Jennifer's Top 10 CliftonStrengths
1) Communication
2) Connectedness
3) Maximizer
4) Woo
5) Relator
6) Positivity
7) Belief
8) Individualization
9) Strategic
10) Ideation
Bill's Top 10 CliftonStrengths
1) Individualization
2) Developer
3) Activator
4) Woo
5) Restorative
6) Empathy
7) Harmony
8) Connectedness
9) Relator
10) Learner
Sarah's Top 10 CliftonStrengths
1) Positivity
2) Woo
3) Communication
4) Harmony
5) Activator
6) Developer
7) Input
8) Individualization
9) Responsibility
10) Arranger
Official Strengths On Fire Website: https://strengthsonfire.transistor.fm
GET MORE FROM BILL AND SARAH:
Bill's info:
https://billdippel.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdippel/
https://www.instagram.com/billdippelcoach/
Sarah's info:
https://www.wearecollinsco.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/
https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/
