I can’t count how many times I’ve heard, “I can succeed here being exactly who I am,” after seeing an executive in their company with the same personality types.
They share their delight as they suddenly realize: Oh, I’m wired like them. That kind of moment isn’t just affirming—it’s a turning point. It casts vision. It breathes hope into a career path that once felt a little blurry.
This is just one of the reasons why Cloverleaf can be used to magnify the impact of mentoring programs. By using personality, strengths, and working style data, mentors and mentees can build trust faster, have more intentional conversations, and create growth opportunities that are aligned with who people are naturally—not just what they’re trying to become.
Here are three ways to use Cloverleaf in mentoring, plus curated questions that mentors and mentees can use to get the most from each dynamic.
Pairing Based on Same Traits: I Can Thrive Here
When mentees sees someone successful with similar traits, it can disrupt limiting beliefs and inspire hope. They can envision possible paths forward and garner wisdom from the mentors’ experiences.
Use Case: Match mentors and mentees who share personality types (e.g., DISC, Enneagram, MBTI). This helps mentees envision a path forward that doesn’t require them to fundamentally change who they are.
Reflection Questions
What parts of your personality have helped you thrive in this culture or role?
When did you realize that your traits were actually valuable—not liabilities?
What’s one habit or mindset shift that helped you lean into your strengths more confidently?
Pairing Based on Opposite Traits: Thought Partnership
Sometimes the best growth comes from a conversation with someone who sees the world very differently. These partnerships don’t always feel natural at first—but they stretch both people to think more globally, more empathetically, and more strategically.
Use Case: Pair mentors and mentees with contrasting work styles, communication patterns, or decision-making traits. The goal here is challenge, perspective-building, and mutual respect.
Reflection Questions
What’s a decision you’ve made recently that reflects your natural thinking style—and how might someone with the opposite style approach it?
What part of my perspective seems unfamiliar or uncomfortable to you—and what might that be inviting you to consider?
How can we use our different strengths to help each other become more well-rounded in our leadership?
Pairing Based on Strengths: Unlocking Collaborators
This one is where things really come to life. Every strengths model (like StrengthsFinder, StrengthScope, etc) has strengths that activate or amplify others.
When you pair people whose strengths naturally complement each other, you create an energizing, forward-moving partnership.
Use Case: Use Cloverleaf’s insight into strength pairings to connect mentors and mentees whose top traits can unlock growth for one another. For example, someone with high Galvanizing (Working Genius) could help a mentee with Wonder move from vision to action.
Reflection Questions
How do our top strengths show up when we collaborate or brainstorm?
What strength of yours could help me take mine to the next level?
Where do you see our strengths combining to make something better than either of us could do alone?
For Program Administrators
Create a Cloverleaf team for the mentoring program participants
Match using 16 Types or DISC for same quadrant
Match using CliftonStrengths complements
When mentoring is aligned with personality and strengths, it becomes more than a program—it becomes a people development engine. One that says, you matter here, you don’t need to morph into someone else to be successful, and your growth can be both personal and practical.
Mentoring Meet Ups
Get to know each other.
Show up with a challenge to discuss with mentor.