While many individuals are aware of their strengths, only a few truly comprehend how to harness these strengths to achieve the best possible outcomes in the workplace. Throughout my years in leadership development consultancy I have witnessed first-hand the positive results that occur when individuals consciously leverage their own strengths, as well as the strengths of others.
Some of you may be asking yourselves what I mean by strengths. It isn’t just another word for skills – strengths are those things which not only are you good at, but they energise you. While there are many different categorisations of strengths, they tend to be higher-level and more character-focused than skills: such as consistency, futuristic, creativity and gratitude.
If you want to maximise your potential and experience research-identified benefits – such as increase in positivity, work satisfaction, subjective wellbeing, sense of meaning, customer loyalty, employee retention, and productivity – then read on!
1. Leverage strengths to offset weaknesses
Do you often find yourself struggling with certain tasks? Consider approaching them with your strengths in mind. By reframing a challenging task as an opportunity to utilize your strengths, you can enhance your performance. For example, if you have a natural curiosity, you can reposition a dreaded networking activity as an information-gathering conversation. By focusing on asking questions to understand the other person’s perspective, rather than solely discussing what you can each do for the other, you are likely to achieve better results and have a better experience.
When colleagues are working in areas that align with their strengths, they tend to feel more motivated and engaged. They are naturally drawn to tasks that they enjoy and excel at, which leads to a greater sense of fulfillment and satisfaction in their work. This intrinsic motivation helps individuals stay focused, committed, and energised, which ultimately boosts performance.
2. Identify team strengths and allocate work accordingly
To optimise performance, it is crucial to identify the strengths of each team member and align them with the overall roles and objectives. When people work within their strengths, they are more likely to excel in their tasks. We all have innate talents and abilities that, when used well allow them to perform at their best. By focusing on these strengths, individuals can work more efficiently, complete tasks with greater ease, and produce higher-quality results. This increased efficiency translates into improved productivity and enhanced job satisfaction.
When team members understand and appreciate each other’s strengths, they can also collaborate more effectively. This collaborative synergy allows for improved problem-solving, creativity, and innovation, leading to higher productivity as the team works harmoniously towards shared goals. Consider whether your team’s strengths complement the work that needs to be accomplished. If there are gaps, explore ways to fill them, either by developing existing team members or recruiting individuals with the necessary strengths.
3. Incorporate strengths into recruitment processes
When seeking new team members, consider incorporating a strengths-based approach. Analyse the strengths that are essential for the role and create questions or assessments that allow you to assess if applicants possess these strengths. Alternatively, ask strength-based questions during interviews to uncover candidates’ areas of expertise and natural talents. Additionally, identify any strengths that may be missing from your current team and use these criteria as part of your selection process.
By selecting individuals who possess the necessary strengths, you increase the likelihood of building a high-performing team. When individuals focus on their strengths, they have a greater opportunity for skill development in those areas. By honing their existing strengths, individuals can become true experts in their field. This continuous improvement leads to increased capability and confidence, enabling them to complete their work more effectively.
By incorporating these strategies into your work environment, you can create a culture that values and utilises strengths effectively. Not only will this lead to individual growth and satisfaction, but it will also foster a collaborative and high-performing team. Understanding how to leverage strengths for optimum work results is a valuable skill that can lead to a range of benefits, by understanding and harnessing your own strengths, as well as those of your team members, you can create a more positive and productive work environment.
About the author: As a Director at Formium Development, Eszter Molnar-Mills helps leaders and managers thrive through coaching, facilitation, training and organisational development activities. As an external consultant Eszter has worked with a wide range of universities in the UK and further afield. Her personal focus is on using strengths and positive approaches to get the best out of people, and helping managers adapt to the unique challenges of hybrid working.