SUCCESS THROUGH STRENGTHS

written by Ade Lingard - first published on 22nd November 2020

When it comes to improving ourselves we often start with our weaknesses.  What if we could identify and use our strengths more to equally improve our performance?  Is that even possible? Could it deliver a bit more joy?  The answer to the last two questions is YES!  In my latest blog I explore ‘why’ and ‘how’.  Have a read for more success and a little joy in a dark and locked down November.

Success through strengths

First of all a little context.  The field I am tapping into here is positive psychology and in particular the work of Martin Seligman.  Seligman’s work targets improved well-being and happiness, a vital field in its own right.  My own objective is to help individuals improve their own performance in order to improve the performance of their organisation.  I am pleased to say that in looking at Seligman’s work I can also see opportunity to achieve the objective I set out.

Why would I want to use my strengths more?

When we look to improve we often start assessing our weaknesses.  It is human nature to jump straight to what is not quite right and want to fix it.  It’s a great character trait, I don’t knock it where it serves us well.  Sometimes and for some people this type of enquiry can be draining, and this is where Seligman’s work really delivers.  He has identified some really positive progress in well-being and happiness from people understanding and focusing on their strengths rather than their weaknesses.  It’s a much happier place to spend your time.

How does any of this apply to improving my performance?

Let me illustrate with a tennis example:

If you have a great forehand but your backhand isn’t so good you may choose to work on and improve your backhand.  That’s great!  That may prevent you from losing a point, but what about winning a point?  Your forehand is your real strength, you have identified that, so given that knowledge how could you bring your forehand into play more often?  It may be that by identifying and focusing on this strength you win a few more points, more games, more sets and more matches.  Focusing on your strength (your forehand) in this analogy shows you the potential.

By narrowing the application of Seligman’s work and applying a simple performance lens to positive psychology I see great possibilities.  In my tennis example you have identified your forehand as a strength, you are using it more and you are now much more confident.  You have a spring in your step (higher levels of energy), you perform better, you are more engaged and more likely to win matches.  It is the same in business.  If you use your strengths more then you will be more confident, more energised, pursuing something that fits with what you enjoy, and consequently perform better.  There is a very good chance you will also be happier as positive psychology research demonstrates.

Where do I start?

Moving forward there are two key parts to work on in order to improve in this way:

1)      Understanding your strengths

2)     Playing to your strengths

Just understanding your strengths does not give you the positive outcome.  You have to work out how play to your strengths (i.e. apply them) once you know what they are.  Understanding your strengths can be the trickiest bit to work out, but fear not, there is help at hand below.  Playing to your strengths is easier, it just needs a little thought and motivation to improve.  If you didn’t have the motivation you wouldn’t be reading, so I think we’re good!

Seligman talks about a strength being ‘a positive trait that can be seen across different situations and time’.  He goes on to add ‘it has a value in its own right, it is measurable and acquirable, it is valued in almost every culture’.  Here are a few examples of strengths identified in Seligman’s work:

Enthusiasm and energy, curiosity, social intelligence (understanding others and responding to them), diligence and perseverance, leadership, love of learning, teamwork, honesty and authenticity, wisdom, critical thinking, humour, creativity and finally strength itself.  There are many more and he embellishes them a little more but hopefully that paints a picture for you.

Understanding your strengths

There are a number of ways of doing this but before you read on I highly recommend method 3.  A very small amount of time investment is needed but it will probably deliver you better results.

Identifying strengths options:

  1. You just know – this is ‘fine’ however it is also good to check-in on your own self-perception from time to time and make time to analyse it (leading you to options 2 and 3).

  2. Ask others you trust, know well and work with. What do they think your strengths are? Self-reflect – what do I notice about the strengths in play when I am working at my best? What are the common themes emerging? Capture your reflections on your strengths and prioritise them or work with your coach or mentor to help if you have one.

  3. Take a free strengths test available through the University of Pennsylvania and Martin Seligman.  To do this go to:

    1. http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/register.aspx and register

    2. Click on ‘VIA Survey of Character Strengths’

    3. Answer the 240 quick fire questions

If you choose method 3 it will take you 20-30 minutes to complete the test.  The output will be 24 strengths listed in priority order, reflecting back your greatest strengths based on the questions answered, paying particular attention to your top five. You may get a strength presented back in the top five that you would not have thought of. This in itself is useful to reflect on.

Playing to your strengths

Now that you understand your strengths better the key is to use them more.  Looking at your top five strengths, how can you relate them to your work and use them more? 

Here are a few examples based on one strength to bring the point to life in a simple way:

Example 1 - I am working in a senior team and my biggest strength is creativity.  I ask myself, how can I offer more creativity in the project to help the team?  How can I bring my creativity to the project more often?  I simply apply the answers.

Example 2 – I am working in a project team and my biggest strength is curiosity.  How can I make sure I use my curiosity and enquiring mind positively to bring value to the team?  Can my curiosity uncover new ideas and help others develop their own thinking?  Once again I apply the answer.

Example 3 – I am working in a project team and my biggest strength is social intelligence.  How can I help make sure everyone is engaged, listened to and understood?  How can I make sure we particularly hear from the quieter team members to get all the input we can?  I apply the answers.

Hopefully that illustrates the point.  You will use your strengths naturally to some degree, but by identifying them in this way and focusing on using them even more you will have a greater impact.  Formulate a simple plan then consider setting a reminder in your diary to check-in that you are doing it until it becomes second nature.

In summary:

Understand your strengths, apply your strengths to your work and deliver better results for you and your organisation.  Not only will you improve your performance, it will also bring a little more joy into your day to day life.  Who doesn’t want that?

Thanks for reading…

Thanks to Catalyst14 for their ongoing support and materials that help me with my research and to my tennis expert friend and fellow coach Damian Fuller.

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