Here's how you can uncover and leverage your unique strengths as a mid-career professional.

Das Johari-Fenster ist ein psychologisches Modell, das 1955 von den amerikanischen Sozialpsychologen Joseph Luft und Harry Ingham entwickelt wurde. Das Johari-Fenster wird h?ufig in Gruppen- und Teamarbeit eingesetzt, um die Kommunikation zu verbessern und das gegenseitige Verst?ndnis zu f?rdern. Teilnehmer verwenden eine Liste von Adjektiven (Johari-Adjektive), um sich selbst zu beschreiben und um Feedback von anderen zu erhalten. Der Abgleich dieser Wahrnehmungen hilft dabei, den blinden Fleck zu verkleinern und den ?ffentlichen Bereich zu vergr??ern, was zu einer besseren Zusammenarbeit führt. Durch gezielte Reflexion und Feedback k?nnen Individuen ihre Selbstwahrnehmung erweitern und Missverst?ndnisse in der Kommunikation abbauen.

Reflect on your achievements to find your strengths. There will be clues in everything you have done and the choices you have made. We instinctively know what we are good so review your career to uncover the pattern that has weaved your life choices.

To uncover your unique strengths start by viewing your skills through a different lens. Don’t just see tasks at face value but, look for overarching themes. For example what you might consider “just pulling reports and making charts” could actually be valuable data analysis and presentation skills that align with higher-level roles. Be open to reframing your daily tasks into broader competencies. The key is to think beyond job titles and specific duties to recognizing how your abilities translate across various fields. This mindset shift helps you see hidden strengths and opens doors to new opportunities you might have overlooked

As a mid-career professional, uncover your unique strengths by reflecting on past accomplishments and seeking feedback from peers and mentors. Identify recurring themes in your successes and the skills you enjoy using. Leverage these strengths by aligning them with career opportunities, taking on projects that highlight your expertise, and continuously seeking growth in areas where you excel.

To discover and leverage your unique strengths as a mid-career professional, start by conducting a self-assessment to identify your key skills, experiences, and areas of expertise. Solicit feedback from colleagues, mentors, and supervisors to gain additional insights into your strengths. Once identified, focus on applying these strengths to your current role or projects, positioning yourself as an expert in those areas. Seek opportunities that align with your strengths, such as leading initiatives or mentoring others. Continuously develop and refine these strengths through training and professional development to maximize their impact and advance your career.

Feedback is essential for growth. Fortunately you have so much of it available. Ask colleagues, your manager, networks that you belong too and your team for feedback. Seek it on a regular basis and take note of what you hear. It doesn't work unless you act. Take action on what you have to develop and what your strengths are. The goal is to stay open and see all comments positive or constructive as opportunities for growth.

With a broader view of your skills the next step is to seek feedback from leaders and managers in your organization. Reach out and let them know you’re exploring career paths and would love their advice. Share your skills and ask them to highlight roles in their area that align closely. This approach not only helps you identify potential career moves but also builds valuable connections with key decision-makers. Discuss any training you might need to bridge gaps, showing your proactive approach. These conversations can open doors, position you for future opportunities, and deepen your network within the company. From personal experience, most of my roles were found and offered to me in discussions just like this.

Requesting feedback from colleagues, mentors, and supervisors can provide valuable insights into your strengths. These individuals have observed your work and can offer an external perspective on where your talents lie. Be open to both positive and constructive feedback, as both can help you understand your unique value. Approach these conversations with a growth mindset and curiosity, ensuring you gather information that will support your career advancement and help you leverage your strengths effectively.

It's one of the KEY - and most enjoyable - exercises we do when coaching: asking your colleagues, your manager, for feedback on your strengths. The thing with strengths is: they're often those things we do SO easily we don't even know we're doing it. Which means that it takes others to point out what's hiding right under your nose. Besides that, asking for feedback on your strengths is also a GREAT confidence booster! It takes you OUT of your head, into real life conversations and elicits some nice unexpected compliments and feedback too!

Either you can pay for conducting expensive research & surveys to gain insights and work on the recommendations or you can really seek, appreciate, evaluate & act on the valuable feedback we receive each day from those around us, without taking it personally. Feedback is like a mirror helping us discover what we cannot see ourselves. It is the stimulus which can put us in action mode and help us become better stronger versions of ourselves personally and professionally.

With a clear understanding of your strengths, it’s crucial to set strategic career goals that align with them. These goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART). By creating goals that leverage your strengths, you’re more likely to achieve them and experience a sense of accomplishment. This approach also helps identify any skill gaps that need addressing, enabling targeted personal development. Setting SMART goals based on your strengths not only drives progress but also ensures that your career growth is aligned with your core abilities.

Goals need to be SMART but they also have to realistic for you. For example, if you are a carer or have resource issues you may not be able to achieve your goals in the standard time frame. Your goals should be tailored for your life which is where a good coach will help. Don't compare yourself to others and think you need to be where they are and copy their model. Ask yourself the following: Where am I am trying to get to and by when? What what time do I have to work on my goals? What are the skills gaps? Who can I ask for help? Goals become personal development when they're tailored for your life. So set goals realistic for you.

Align Strengths with Career Goals Once you’ve identified your core strengths, think about how they align with your career goals. Consider: Are your strengths being utilized in your current role? How can you apply these strengths to further your professional development? Are there projects or initiatives where these strengths can add more value?

After connecting with leaders and gathering feedback you’ll likely identify overlapping skills that are valuable across different roles. This insight gives you a focused list of areas to work on. Discuss with each leader whether these skills can be self taught or require formal education or certification. For skills that can be developed on your own, especially soft skills, start working on them right away. You’ve already taken the bold step of seeking guidance (you rock!). Now you simply need to turn talk into action by using the advice you received to invest in your growth.

While focusing on your strengths is crucial, continuously updating your skills is equally important to stay relevant in your field. Identify areas related to your strengths that could be enhanced through training or further education. This might involve taking courses, attending workshops, or obtaining certifications that complement your natural abilities. Investing in your professional development demonstrates a commitment to excellence and adaptability—qualities highly valued across any industry. By staying current and improving your skills, you ensure that your strengths remain sharp and aligned with evolving industry demands.

Build skills and invest in yourself to become the professional you aspire to be. Recognize what needs to be polished, what needs to be reconfigured, what needs to revamped. At times before you embark on this journey, it is also important to unlearn opening your mind to new perspectives and possibilities. Be a student of life and learn from each and every experience. Good luck!

The upgrade of your skills is a lifelong action. There is no job for life and you will change over your lifetime and pivot into new areas. Where you go the skills must follow. If time and money are tight do bite size learning. I have often completed 1 hour courses, online, at lunchtime to keep my knowledge topped up. This gave me the confidence boost I needed to keep going. Make learning a part of your life. It doesn't have to be formal courses. Networking, talking with peers to solve issues, mentors and coaches can all support your learning journey. Invest in you and the return will repay you for years to come.

Effective networking can amplify your strengths by connecting you with people who can open doors to new opportunities. Attend industry events, join professional associations, and engage in online forums related to your field. Focus on building genuine relationships rather than just exchanging business cards. Share your experiences and strengths in a way that adds value to conversations, which can lead to meaningful collaborations and job prospects. By networking strategically and authentically, you enhance your professional presence and uncover new avenues for leveraging your strengths.

If you are people person, this will come naturally, effortlessly and most authentically to you. If not, you simply need to develop empathy and a growth mindset. A belief that every individual I meet in instrumental in who I become as a professional. Those who are exceptionally talented, hardworking and successful teach me what I need to do more of. Those who do not embody the right attitude and right skills, teach me what I need to refrain from in my career. Either ways you tend to benefit from networking, it basically depends on how you perceive it!

For mid life professionals networking has to become strategic. By this age time is often not on your side and you may have caring responsibilities for children and parents. You may also be simply more tired after years of working and juggling life. Choose your events wisely. Less is more. If you build one good relationship connected to your sector, that can pay dividends over 50 business cards or QR codes from people you will never see again. Joining the professional association for your industry is a great place to focus your time. You can belong to more than one and many mid life professionals are qualified in multiple areas. It's an easy way to network with events and people tailored around your career path. Start now.

No one will give you an opportunity if they don't know you exist. Treat each meeting, project, or conversation like a job interview because you never know who will notice your work ethic, skills, or positive attitude. Every impression you make can ripple through your network and shape how others perceive you (your "Brand" as they say...). As you continue to engage, share your insights, and show up with integrity, you start to build a reputation as someone who’s not only great at what they do but also great to work with. The more you’re seen, known, and respected, the more opportunities will naturally find their way to you.

Showcase Your Strengths with Confidence Whether it’s in interviews, performance reviews, or client pitches, be confident in showcasing your unique strengths. Use specific examples from your career to illustrate how these strengths have led to tangible results and outcomes.

Uncovering your unique strengths starts with reflecting on what sets you apart: your skills, experiences, and values. Think about what you consistently do well and what others recognise you for. Once you're clear on those strengths, look for opportunities to share them, whether through projects, presentations, or networking. Raising your visibility is about showing how your expertise adds value, and doing so with confidence will open up more opportunities for growth.

Increasing your visibility in your industry is a powerful way to leverage your strengths. Write articles, give presentations, or lead projects that showcase your expertise. This not only highlights your strengths to a broader audience but also positions you as a thought leader in your field. By strategically enhancing your visibility, you create more career advancement opportunities and ensure that your name is at the forefront when new opportunities arise. Building a strong professional presence helps you stand out and be recognized for your skills and contributions.