How to Leverage Your Strengths in the Workplace

Source: indeed.com

1 Define your strengths

Before you can leverage your strengths, you need to understand your unique abilities. There are plenty of ways to determine your own strengths. Here are some ideas to help you find your strengths:

• Take an assessment: You can find plenty of online assessments meant for professionals that will list your strengths with explanations of each term to help you better define your strongest skills.

• Ask people you trust: You can always ask trusted contacts to share what they see about your abilities. You can ask a mentor to make a list of the strengths they’ve observed while mentoring you.

• Find your passions: Take note of the tasks you’ve completed successfully that also energize you. Your strengths come from activities that you enjoy doing and can do well. Ask yourself what kind of tasks come naturally to you.

• Consider your resume: Review the key attributes you use to describe yourself to employers in your resume. Use this as a guide to understand your stand-out skills and experience.

2 Set professional goals

Ask a manager to help you set goals that use your strengths. Discuss these strengths with your supervisor and focus on strategies that will positively impact your growth and productivity at work. Take time to address these goals throughout the year instead of just during annual reviews. Ask for feedback as you continue to utilize your strengths to achieve your professional aims.

3 Show evidence of your strengths

Identify the strengths you use most in your current job. Then, determine what evidence you can produce that shows your strengths in the workplace. Once you can identify how your strengths positively impact your job, plan to generate more successful outcomes.

4 Strengthen your strengths

Work to improve what you’re already good at by looking for growth opportunities. Participate in advanced training for your best skills. You can even offer to mentor or instruct others in areas where you excel. When you can teach someone else from your strengths, your own knowledge automatically increases.

5 Know when to ask for help

While being proactive and taking initiative is great, it doesn’t mean you need to do everything on your own.

If you’re unsure about how to perform a task or need extra expertise, reach out to someone. You’ll avoid making mistakes, save time and get a great opportunity to learn something new.