As a leadership and strengths coach, I am constantly focused on looking for ways to help my clients maximize their potential, feel more fulfilled and be more engaged at work. Through my coaching, I realized that focusing on fixing weaknesses is not the most useful and productive approach. When we focus on our weaknesses, we leave behind precious parts of who we are—and even worse—we are less confident to accomplish our goals. If we are not careful, our weaknesses can stop us from leveraging our strengths.
When I had this realization, I decided to dig into the research and came across Gallup’s StrengthsFinder, which has extensive research on human nature and the strength-based approach. The StrengthsFinder approach identifies our natural patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving, categorized into 34 broad talent themes that explain our motivations or “whys.” Those themes fall into four general domains: Relationship Building, Strategic Thinking, Executing and Influencing. Most people usually have themes in multiple domains, although one domain is often dominant.
Research shows that when individuals/employees are in roles that utilize their strengths, they are not only more productive and innovative, but they are also more likely to be engaged, energized and happy at work. As a result, this can contribute significantly to higher employee engagement. The practical ways this happens are through placing people in the right roles, promoting a positive workplace atmosphere, tailoring management techniques, facilitating collaboration and helping individuals to find success.
Everything becomes more easy, fun and fulfilling when people discover and start operating from their strengths. Honing in on strengths also allows us to understand our motivations better and then enables us to replicate and multiply the positive outcomes we can have.
Clients have shared that they are more fulfilled and alive when using their strengths; they feel they are really maximizing their potential; and they feel relieved not having to work on fixing their weaknesses. Working on fixing their weakness was hard, draining and took tremendous effort—and the outcomes were not clear.
The approach I use is called “Name It. Claim It. Aim It.” It’s a deep dive into discovering, owning and intentionally applying your strengths. A great way to start working on your strengths is by taking the Gallup StrengthsFinder assessment.
Impact
Many of us think our greatest strengths are our weaknesses, and it has a huge impact on clients when they get this awareness and can then reframe and start owning their strengths. One such example happened recently with my client Miriam.
When Miriam was leaning into working on her weaknesses, her internal chatter sounded like this:
“I am an emotional person.”
“I talk too much—just a blabbermouth.”
“I always need to do things right and feel guilty when I don’t.”
“I focus too much on the problem. As a result, people think I am a very negative person.”
From focusing on her strengths, she gained a whole new awareness and reframed her thoughts to these:
“My empathy for others allows me to connect with them authentically and deeply.”
“I love to express myself.”
“When I do something, I take full ownership. I am committed, reliable and loyal.”
“I have a solution-oriented mindset. I love finding the solutions to problems.”
It is clearly apparent what a difference it makes for one’s self-confidence to reframe these mindsets. We can achieve the highest levels of success when we stop trying to be a little bit good at everything and instead emphasize what we are naturally best at.
Focusing less on being well-rounded and more on becoming better at what you’re already great at by investing in your strengths can spark real change.
Reflection Questions
How have you let your weaknesses keep you from leveraging your goals?
What are some of your top strengths?
What more would be possible if you focused on your strengths?
Tania Friedlander LL.B, PCC is a Leadership and Strengths Coach. Tania is an attorney by training and a former champion athlete. She has trained at world-leading coaching institutions. She is an International Coach Federation Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and a Certified Gallup Global Strengths Coach. She is driven by her passion for helping individuals break through their challenges, whether professional or personal. She has the privilege of working with executives and emerging leaders from global Fortune 500 companies using evidence-based coaching assessments, frameworks and tools. Her approach is designed to increase connectivity, awareness and accountability to elevate the internal dynamic, increase morale and enhance workplace culture. She is also on the executive team at SteerUs, the world’s first soft skills academy, and has led many workshops and seminars on leveraging strengths.
Connect with me on www.linkedin.com/in/taniafriedlandercoach/ or visit www.taniafriedlander.com for more info!
