Thrive at Work by Using Your Strengths for Success
Dr Gemma Leigh Roberts
Chartered Psychologist (Wellbeing, Resilience, Mindset) // Podcast Host: Psychology in the Wild // 6M Learners Worldwide (@LinkedIn Learning)
Have you ever had a week at work where you feel confident, capable, energised, and completely absorbed in what you're doing? In those moments, tasks seem less like hard work and more like rewarding experiences. Chances are, you're playing to your strengths.
However, when I ask people to describe their strengths, many find it challenging to answer. I believe this happens for two main reasons; first, we often focus more on areas we need to improve rather than celebrating what we're already good at. Second, our strengths feel so natural that we assume everyone has the same abilities. Because strengths come so easily, we can overlook them, making it harder to recognise our own strengths.
What are personal strengths?
According to psychologist Martin Seligman, personal strengths are core traits or abilities that are essential to who you are as a person. Seligman proposes we all have three to seven signature strengths, which feel natural and energising and are based on intrinsic motivation (the motivation to do something because you enjoy it, find it interesting, or fulfil your needs rather than because of outside rewards or pressure).
As I share in my latest Mindset Shifts coaching video , psychology research shows that using your personal strengths is vital to achieving more personal satisfaction and success. Engaging with your strengths not only boosts your mental health but can also help reduce feelings of depression. Focusing on what you naturally excel at allows you to live a more authentic, engaged, and fulfilling life.
Identifying personal strengths
Awareness of your strengths doesn't mean ignoring areas you want to develop. It's about embracing who you are and using those strengths to guide your decisions, career, and life choices. So, how can you identify and make the most of your strengths? Here are some simple steps to help you get started.
Step 1
Ask trusted friends or colleagues for feedback on what they see as your strengths. Often, strengths are so inherent to who we are that we don't notice them ourselves.
Step 2
Track daily activities and note what energises and fulfils you. Just because you're good at something doesn't make it a strength. True strengths are activities that feel effortless and energising.
Step 3
Think about times when you felt successful and accomplished. What strengths were you using then?
Check out my latest (free to access) Mindset Shifts video and coaching guide and learn:
→ How to identify your unique strengths and understand their impact on your wellbeing
→ Strategies for using your strengths in everyday life to boost happiness and performance
→ Ways to balance development areas while focusing on what you naturally do best
Using your strengths at work?
While it's not always possible to use your strengths every day at work, since we all have tasks that may not be enjoyable or easy, it's still worth seeking opportunities to align your work with your strengths more often. One way to do this is by identifying areas where your strengths can add value.?
For instance, if you enjoy problem-solving, look for ways to volunteer for projects that involve creative solutions or strategic thinking. This allows you to bring more of your strengths into your role, even when daily tasks feel routine.
Another strategy is to reframe existing tasks to let your strengths shine. If a task feels mundane, consider how you might approach it differently using your strengths. For example, if collaboration is one of your strengths, you might turn an individual task into a group effort, or if you're good at planning, you could create more structured workflows to make tasks more efficient.
Lastly, communicate your strengths with your manager or team. Let them know what you excel at and where you feel you can contribute most. This might lead to new opportunities, projects, or responsibilities that align better with your strengths, helping you feel more engaged and energised at work.
Your experience
Do you use your strengths regularly in your work life? Or is this something you've had to work on? I'd love to read about your experiences in the comments.
To support your journey towards resilience and career success, explore the new Mindset Shifts Coaching Hub , where you'll find a wealth of free resources, including:
Explore resources on Patreon .
I Build Teams that Make an Impact for Startups & MSMEs by Being a Strategic Talent Partner in Creating 360° Recruitment Strategies | Changing How the World Sees Recruitment Vendors
6 天前I personally feel asking your friends about your strengths is a great way to evaluate yourself. They bring out the points that you cannot even imagine being good at.
OK Bo?tjan Dolin?ek
Global Support Group for Adolescents /Young Adults, who are facing Stress & Anxiety and also for Parents who are facing difficulty in coping up with their Children who are growing up.
2 周Very informative : www.dramartyaghosalfoundation.com
Turning data into strategic information. With a very broad knowledge base I quickly find gaps and nuances in source data to extract the maximum ROI.
2 周In order to know our strengths we also need to know or weaknesses. We also need to work on both. A neglected strength will not remain a strength for long. The art is knowing where to focus your energy.
VP - HR, DEI & HR Governance
2 周Totally agree to you perspective Gemma. At times though in work area, strengths may be highlighted as a weakness since it doesn't fall under the strength category of some people, thereby impacting efforts and outcomes. Leaders should be able to leverage the strength of each individual.