We all have things we are naturally good at, either innate or learned. We call these strengths. In school or at work, people often tell us to work on our weaknesses. But the secret to success is usually the opposite: you should focus on what you already do well.
There is a difference between a “strength” and fun. You might like watching Netflix, but it doesn’t bring value to others. A strength is something you enjoy and something that produces great work.
Why Focus on Strengths?
Focusing on your strengths is the best way to spend your time. Here is why:
Bringing more value: when you do what you are good at, you get better results for yourself, your team or your boss.
Feeling better: doing things you are good at makes you feel satisfied and increases self-confidence and self-esteem.
Better careers: if you know your strengths, you can find a job that fits you perfectly. In interviews, when asked “What are you good at?”, you will have a clear answer.
Better teams: when everyone knows each other’s strengths, work is easier. You know exactly who to ask for help, and you know what tasks you should handle yourself.
How to Find Your Strengths
Sometimes we don’t even know we have a strength because it feels easy and natural to us. Here are some ideas how to find yours:
Look for “flow”: think about times when you were so busy that you forgot to look at the clock, eat or take a break. What were you doing? If time flies by, you are probably using a strength.
The “smiles box”: many people wisely collect evidence of their good performance in the shape of received emails, “thank you” notes, accomplishments, and positive feedback, ad hoc or official performance reviews, customers, stakeholders and partners. If you’ve got such a “smiles box”, go over it – how did you bring value? What did you do to help them? What is a common thread? Those are likely your strengths.
Ask people: sometimes our friends or co-workers see our talents better than we do. Ask them: “What do you think I am best at?”
If they find it difficult, you can show them a list you compiled and see what they agree to.
Another way is to respond to this question yourself: “What would my parents/siblings/best friend say if they were asked what I’m best at?”
Ask for positive feedback: many bosses only talk about what you did wrong. Be brave and ask: “What did I do really well this month?”
Professional assessments: there are tests you can take online, like CliftonStrengths, DiSC, and The 6 Types of Working Genius, that help you name your talents.
Coaching: turn to a certified coach, either a systemic or strengths coach like Shamin Hassomal.
Should You Fix Your Weaknesses?
Most people think they should work hard to fix their weaknesses. This is also true for many managers who want to fix their direct reports’ weaknesses. But think about this:
If you are bad at something, it takes a huge amount of energy just to become “okay” at it. But if you are already good at something, that same energy can make you a superstar.
You only need to fix a weakness if it stops you from doing your job or limiting your career progression. For example, if a manager is afraid to talk to their team, they must fix that. A copywriter who has no creativity is unlikely to bring value and enjoy their work. If you find you have too many weaknesses in your job, it might mean you are in the wrong role or career.
Things to Watch Out For
Don’t ignore chores. Just because you have strengths doesn’t mean you can stop doing the parts of your job you don’t excel at and claim they are not your strength. You still need to be a responsible teammate.
Too much of a good thing: if you use a strength too much, it can become a weakness. For example, if you are “good with details,” be careful not to become someone who controls every tiny thing (a micromanager). If you’re too empathetic, you won’t give negative feedback when necessary.
Is it useful? A strength is only a superpower if the world needs it. Make sure your talents help your company or your community. Be mindful of what your team or organization needs – if you have a strength that brings no value, it will only create friction and frustration.
Remain in growth mindset, not fixed mindset – keep learning and challenging yourself. Differentiate between comfort zone and growth zone and panic zone – slight discomfort is where growth happens. Going out too far is too stressful and has a higher chance of retreating to old patterns.
Find more responsibilities you can undertake for your growth and bring value. E.g., if you’re good at presenting, you can deliver an internal talk about a new technology. If you’re a talented writer, you can document. If you’re “good with people,” you can be the initial communication channel to other teams.
The Perfect Spot – Ikigai
The goal is to find your sweet spot. This is the place where four things meet:
- What you love doing.
- What you are good at.
- What the world needs.
- What people will pay you for.
You can use an external coach or set up AI to ask you effective questions to find your Ikigai. When you find this place, you aren’t just working – you are using your natural gifts to build a great life. Keep learning, stay curious, and keep focusing on your strengths!
What is one thing in your “smiles box” from this month?
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