Buckingham, who is a member of the Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on Leadership and Management; started as a senior researcher with The Gallup Organization, and helped to develop the Strengths-based approach to management that is now gaining wider implementation.

Strengths Management suggests that any job should be tailored to fit the person instead of the other way around. Buckingham has authored and/or co-authored several books on the subject including First, Break All the Rules, Now, Discover Your Strengths, and The One Thing You Need to Know'. He also helped create the "StrengthsFinder" assessment tool that assists individuals in discovering their own strengths.

In 2007, Buckingham set out on a national bus tour taking the Strengths Movement across America. This venture was marked by Buckingham's dispute with the Gallup Organization over intellectual property and royalties. Gallup and Buckingham came to a swift resolution where Gallup would receive a portion of all profits from any endeavors led by Buckingham using any materials developed by him and his team during his tenure with the organization. Buckingham has been featured in the PBS Special, "Go Put Your Strengths To Work" and on the Today Show.

Buckingham has authored 5 books on the subjects of corporate management and personal development. His first book, First, Break All the Rules, was a bestseller for 93 weeks.

Buckingham made a series of short motivational films titled Trombone Player Wanted, which are produced by the same creative team behind Rob Bell's NOOMA films.