Is there a problem here?
Logically, everyone knows it makes sense to use our strengths at work, yet not all of us do. Research from strength expert Marcus Buckingham shows that only 12% of professionals use their strengths consistently in the workplace. This can have a huge negative impact on business performance.
What does it mean to you?
From working with hundreds of managers and professionals we know that if we ask the question “What are strengths?” most reply:
- Things I am good at
- Things I enjoy
- Things which give me satisfaction
- Things which motivate me
- Things that other people ask me to do
In contrast, if we ask you about your weaknesses, you say:
- Things I put off or delay
- Things I don’t like to do
- Things which take my energy away
Perhaps from this you can see it doesn’t make much sense to stay in a role which won’t allow you to perform or enjoy your work. We need to feel a sense of satisfaction and to be motivated to carry out tasks that are useful to other people.
Yet many of us still think we progress our career by “fixing our weaknesses” and attending to “our areas of development”.
What’s the alternative?
Strengths offer a better approach. Don’t just be content with average. We want excellence, so we want to use our strengths and just attend to our weaknesses.
How can you do this?
Here are some tried and tested tips based on Positive Psychology research and principles:
1) Work out what energises you. Spend five minutes at the end of every day asking yourself these questions:
- What satisfied me the most today?
- Where did I exceed my own expectations on my contribution today?
- Where was my performance at its best?
2) Ask for feedback from your colleagues and manager:
- When do you see me most energised?
- Which things do I rush to do, rather than put off or delay?
- Where am I a fast learner in my current role?
3) Plan how to use your strengths tomorrow:
- Consider what is in your diary and schedule
- Think again about how you could make these activities more motivating to you
- Ask for your manager’s support in making this happen.
The business case for strengths
Still not convinced?
If you need more evidence, take a look at the link between strengths and business performance:
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Your next step
The strengths approach is not only about doing the things you like, it’s about having the focus to perform at your best. It is also about having a work-round, a plan or a colleague to support any weakness. We live in the real world here. No-one is good at everything and this is where being part of a team can help.
In summary, when your manager asks you to do something new, try to take a deep breath, allow yourself a pause and ask yourself this question:
“How can I do this in a way that strengthens me?”
Using this question with your team is also a great way to strengthen your leadership style. The bottom line? Using your strengths can accelerate your career and deliver personal growth, so why not start today?