In the workplace these days there is often a focus on areas where one needs to improve or, basically, a focus on our weaknesses. At the company where I work part-time, they call them "development needs". Each performance review discusses areas for improvement i.e. development needs. The focus is on these aspects, and specific tasks and goals are established for the next review period in order to improve these weaknesses.
It was therefore refreshing a couple of weeks' ago when our team was required to take a test (a type of personality test I suppose) to determine our strengths. (Yes, those things that we are good at, our talents.) We are actually a group of researchers whose work is fairly independent, so, although we have an idea of each other's abilities, we haven't really worked closely enough with each other in order to really get a feel for individual work styles, preferences and strengths.
Here are a few examples of the types of talents identified in the test:
- Wanting harmony in one's environment and working towards ensuring that it always prevails
- Having the ability to sort through information and issues, and determine the best options i.e. being strategic
- Bringing people together and building relationships in teams
There was a great deal more information on each type, together with suggested actions for the individual in order to build on their strengths, as well as tips on how to successfully interact with a person of that nature.
It was interesting to see our own strengths, but even more interesting to see those of our team members. It really enabled us to get to know the people with whom we sit every day. And, more importantly, to get to know them in a positive light. I was thinking and feeling about it afterwards. Understanding my colleagues strengths, realizing what excites and motivates them, makes me feel a great deal more connected to them. Often the connection at work is developed from a negative space within the office or common complaints e.g. a difficult boss. Often it is difficult to connect with colleagues on "out-side-of-work" areas as they may be on a completely different track in life and we can't relate to that part of them. But, strengths are universal and we are likely to have met others throughout our lives who exhibit the same strengths as those of our co-workers, so we can connect on that (positive) level. In addition, strengths all have the following in common, no matter what they are:
- They motivate us
- Because we achieve more easily when we base our actions on our strengths, they lead us towards feeling worthy and capable
- And from that sense of worthiness and positive results, we experience happiness
- Happiness and success leads to fulfillment in life
We can tap into this commonality with whomever we interact.
This brings me to the second benefit which I received from this exercise, and that was the new way of interacting with each other that an awareness of strengths brings. Now we can actively promote and guide people towards using their strengths in their jobs. Let me give some examples:
My strengths include the ability to be forward thinking and to be strategic. Seeing as I don't work a five day week (only three day week), I tend not to get involved in much of the in-depth work. And it is this work which requires more strategy and vision. Not making use of those strengths not only inhibits my growth - and potentially my work fulfillment - but also my contribution to the team. What was discussed and decided, was that I would team-up with one of the researchers on the more in-depth work so that there would be continuity in the work from their side, but I could provide input and be involved with the more challenging aspects of our job.
One of my colleagues is very good at bringing people together and building relationships in groups. This excites and motivates her. She has seen an opportunity to create more of a unit within our group. (Our boss is in another country which makes our team rather disjointed.) We have committed to supporting her efforts and benefiting from the sense of group that we will now have.
Another researcher is motivated by competition. He is going to set up competitions with himself, with another researcher "monitoring" his work and progress.
So we are all working together to facilitate each of us in focusing on, using and building our strengths to the benefit of our individual success and fulfillment, as well as our performance as a unit.
Now for the third benefit:
Certainly in the corporate circles within which I move, there is very much an emphasis on being an "all-rounder" i.e. being good (or excellent) in every area. When you think about it, to spend energy and time on trying to improve an area where you are poor to one where you are mediocre, doesn't make sense. You could be spending that time and energy on taking an area of your life where you are good, to one in which you are excellent, or even moving from excellent to masterful. If we know others' strengths, we can make use of them to assist us in areas where we ourselves are not strong and then we can focus on improving our better areas.
The focus on strengths makes so much sense to me. It promotes a fulfilling job, it promotes connection between work colleagues, and it allows us to grow in the best possible way.
For a free test to determine your strengths, got to: VIA Survey
Thanks to Mike King for sharing this link.
What have been your experiences in terms of working with strengths or weaknesses? What about the performance measures that you have been exposed to in the workplace?
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