Working with your strengths

Reflective pause:

“What do I consider to be my THREE core strengths or talents? How do I use these strengths to achieve my personal and professional goals?”

Peterson and Seligman (2004) introduced the concept of ‘signature strengths’, suggesting that each person possesses between three and seven of the character strengths shown below. Recognising and nurturing these strengths has been linked to increased happiness, increased confidence and more positive relationships (Proyer et al., 2015). 

Signature strengths

 

When building self-belief and personal resilience, it is crucial to work with your strengths. Completing this survey will help you identify your signature strengths – those that matter most to you and are most central to your personal identity. Using our strengths effectively makes it easier to overcome negative experiences and setbacks. 

Challenges and mistakes can knock our confidence, but they are valuable learning opportunities and catalysts for personal growth.

Reflecting on our strengths enables us to counterbalance these negative experiences, pinpoint our innate strategies for avoiding similar situations in the future, and serves as a reminder of the unique resources we possess during difficult times.

For instance, if you have had a challenging meeting with your line manager, rather than reacting with distress or frustration, consider how strengths like curiosity or courage (for example) could empower you to engage in constructive dialogue with them about the issue. 

Make a conscious effort to engage in strengths spotting over the next week or so. This can be very insightful. Pay attention to your energy levels when you are doing different activities and tasks. 

• What gives you energy and enthusiasm?

• What do you get a buzz out of?

• When does time seem to fly by effortlessly during your workday?

• What would your ideal day at work look like? What activities would make it fulfilling for you?

Observing these patterns will help you identify your strengths, enabling you to use them to tackle challenges or re-energise yourself when things get tough. This process can provide valuable clues about your natural abilities and preferences, empowering you to utilise them effectively in your professional and personal life.

Two strategies in FWB2 Self-confidence and Self-efficacy (Spotting your Personal Strengths (Quick Win) and Putting on Your Strengths Goggles (Quick Win) provide some additional techniques to raise awareness of personal strengths in the self and in others. They can be used in various settings such as meetings and supervision.