Know Your Strengths

Do you know your strengths?

How great is it to know that we have strengths that will help us succeed on our journey? We have been trained to concentrate on our weaknesses so much that it very hard to think or even talk about our strengths. Knowing our strengths empowers us to take on new challenges and achieve greatness.
Do you ever ask yourself: “What are my strengths?”. Knowing the answer is very important to achieve what you are destined to accomplish in your personal and professional life. In this post, we will discuss how to discover and utilize your unique strengths.
 
What are strengths?
Let's start with some dictionary definitions:

• Someone's strengths are the qualities and abilities that they have which are an advantage to them, or which make them successful. (Source: Collin's Dictionary)
• A good or beneficial quality or attribute of a person (Source: Oxford Dictionary)
• a positive quality that makes you more effective (Source: Cambridge Dictionary)

 
Why do you need to know your strengths?
Knowing your unique strengths helps you:

• Overcome Self-Doubt
  
• Be more confident in your qualities and abilities.
  
• Know your unique contribution/value to your family, friends, and team.
• Achieve more success by operating in your strengths zone.
• Feel more empowered to take on a new challenge.

 
My Strengths Journey
Three years ago, when I moved to the US, where people were more comfortable talking about themselves, I realized that I had to start talking about myself more. My journey to discovery of my strengths began.
I initially didn't know where to start. I took the first step, did my research and got external support. Personally, I have had success with a combination of different tools and resources. Some of the tools that helped me discover my strengths include: 

• Self-reflection: Firstly, I took time out to look within myself. I reflected on my past achievements to see which qualities or abilities helped me overcome the challenges I faced. I also asked myself two questions - What do I enjoy doing or do easily? What compliments do people give me? The answers helped me create my first strengths log. For example: Professionally, I always get compliments on being a great facilitator. I was sure to add that to my strengths log.
• Taking Self-Assessments: I used to be very skeptical about answering questions and letting a system give you the results. However, I tried it out and had a great experience. Two self-assessments that I recommend are Gallup Strengthsfinder (Top 5) and Stand-out 2.0. My Top 5 strengths from the Gallup Strengthsfinder were Learner, Relator, Focus, Responsibility, Achiever. These sum up my strengths and what I bring to the table.
• Engaging a Career Coach: The most significant outcome of my coaching experience was learning to articulate my professional strengths and experience better. Primarily being in a new country, it was essential to know what was required and how I could present myself professionally. My resume and interviewing techniques changed when I started telling my story from a place of my strengths and contributions.
• Continuously Educating myself: I read books and articles about discovering and articulating my strengths. The more knowledge you gather the clearer you get about your strengths.

My most significant learning was that deep inside me I had a rough idea of what my strengths were. However, being able to articulate them and see why certain things were important to me was very empowering. For example, the fact that I love to learn was not news to me, however now I saw it as a strength and not just something I do.
 
Top 5 Tips for your Strengths Journey
You can start operating in your strengths zone by doing the following:
Discover your strengths
What do you do well?  What do you enjoy doing? If you don't know your strengths, take a step to identify them with the help of available resources. Discovery is a conscious activity. You might also need to invest in some external resources. Know your strengths - It's worth it!
 
Document your strengths
It is crucial to visualize your strengths - Create a "Strengths Log." Write your strengths down in whatever way works best for you. You want to be able to look at your strengths regularly and remember them. Also, as you grow and develop, revisit your strengths at regular intervals to add new ones.
 
Use your strengths
Actively seek out opportunities where you can display your strengths and win. You gain confidence from excelling in your areas of strength.
 
Develop your strengths
Continuously work on developing your existing strengths further and also developing new strengths. Invest in learning and using tools that help you build your strengths.
 
Market your strengths
Share your strengths at every opportunity. Get comfortable talking about your strengths. Talking about your strengths magnifies them. Professionally, your resume should also reflect your strengths that are applicable. While interviewing, focus on your strengths. When you ask for a pay raise, crystallize your strengths and unique contribution.
 
Final Thoughts

• Your strengths are unique and special - Value them.
• Don't depend on people to tell you what your strengths are - Start your discovery.
• Know your weaknesses as well - Expand more on your strengths.
• Discovering your strengths is a continuous journey - Start today.

 
Great resources

• Why Talented People Don’t Use Their Strengths
• Five Steps to Assess Your Strengths
• Operating in Your Strengths Zone [Podcast]
• Are You Operating in Your Strengths Zone?
• Know Your Strengths, Own Your Strengths
• Do You Know What You Are Especially Good At?