You’ve decided that you want to start using your strengths in the workplace to improve your life and your career. You know how to do so. That’s great. But how do you figure out what your strengths in the workplace are to begin with? You can’t lean into them if you don’t know what they are!
Here’s a simple way to identify what your strengths are at your current workplace.
Step One
First, make a list of all the things you do at your job. Then answer the following questions.
What activities are you best at? Which do you enjoy the most?
These are typically going to be your strengths. We tend to be strongest at the things we most enjoy doing and/or are good at. Occasionally, there will be something you’re really good at doing but can’t stand. That is not a strength, so don’t put it down!
What tasks do you look forward to? Which tasks energize you and make you lose track of time?
These are also going to be strengths. You may not do them very much right now, and that’s okay. But these are important to know so you look for more ways to utilize them at work.
Step Two
Answer the two questions above for things you don’t do at work. Chances are good that you have plenty of passions and skills that count as strengths that you never use as work. You might even have more if your current job isn’t a good fit for you.
Step Three
Ask people you know, but at work and away from work, if they could tell you what they see as your top five strengths. These can be skills or character attributes. Ask several people and write down what they tell you. You will probably find a few things you didn’t even think about in steps one and two.
Step Four
Look for more ways to utilize your strengths at work, as discussed in the prior articles in this series. Hopefully, you’ll be lucky enough to be able to do so without much trouble. In some cases, however, you might not be able to add more of your preferred tasks to your current job.
If that happens to you, it might be time to make a new resume and find a new job that’s a better fit. You want a job that will help you thrive, not just survive!