Anyone who has ever been in an interview will invariably get two questions: (1) What is your greatest strength? and (2) What is your biggest weakness? Ironically, everyone frets over the weakness question, while few truly reflect on their strengths. Similarly, during performance reviews, while your boss might highlight your accomplishments, what lingers in your mind afterward? The few areas for improvement, your weaknesses.
I’m not suggesting that understanding your weaknesses isn’t important. In fact, they can guide you in choosing suitable jobs or deciding whether to take on additional projects. However, frankly, we often overemphasize fixing our weaknesses rather than capitalizing on our strengths. Today, we’ll explore why this is crucial and how to leverage your strengths to their fullest.
Achieve More with Less Effort
By leveraging your natural talents, you’ll accomplish significantly more than by struggling to improve in areas where you’re not naturally gifted. For instance, Donald Clifton’s 1950s study on speed reading demonstrated this principle. He divided participants into two groups: average readers and above-average readers. Both groups received speed-reading training. The results were striking. Average readers improved from 90 words per minute to 350, while above-average readers soared from 150 to an astonishing 2,900 words per minute!
Working to improve a truly hindering weakness is not inherently bad. However, focusing solely on weaknesses is a mistake. While you might see some gains, the potential for success through maximizing your strengths is far greater. So, I pose this question: What do you do effortlessly that you could leverage more in your life?
For example, do you feel comfortable speaking publicly? If so, how often do you give presentations? If your answer is “not often,” seek opportunities to do so. Perhaps you excel at team building, even without a leadership title. Look for chances to lead projects. Or, if you’re naturally analytical but work in sales, analyze your sales data to identify trends.
Regardless of how you utilize your strengths, you’ll become more productive and valuable. Remember, excelling in one area doesn’t guarantee success in others. Many sales managers falter when promoted because they lack leadership skills. Don’t fall into the trap of straying too far from your core strengths.
Fuel Your Passion
When you operate within your strengths, you find greater enjoyment and passion. People naturally prefer activities they excel at. Who wants to struggle daily with tasks they dislike? This leads to burnout.
Instead of dreading your commute, seek a role that aligns with your strengths. When you do, you’ll outperform those struggling in roles outside their strengths. You’ll achieve greater success and enjoy your work.
Success Breeds More Success
Leveraging your strengths leads to increased productivity and job satisfaction. Your positive attitude and success will attract attention. You’ll become the go-to person, sought after by other managers and companies. This is the essence of “your reputation precedes you.”
Ensure you continue to utilize your strengths. Don’t be tempted by a fancy title or higher pay if it means abandoning your core abilities. True excellence will open doors to opportunities that still utilize your strengths, but in new and interesting ways.
Expand Your Strengths
Continuously find new ways to apply your strengths. Just as repetitive physical strain can cause injury, career stagnation can occur from doing the same thing repeatedly. Avoid burnout by exploring different applications of your strengths.
Challenge yourself to stretch your abilities and become an even greater asset.
Market Yourself Effectively
Self-awareness enhances your job search. You’ll recognize opportunities that align with your strengths. If a job description doesn’t resonate, move on.
Highlight your strengths in your resume and interviews. Showcase how you’ve used them to achieve success. During interviews, frame your answers around your strengths, demonstrating your potential value to the company. Make your strengths the central theme of your interview.
Identifying Your Strengths
When asked about your greatest strength, many people offer generic answers like “people person” or “good communicator.” But do these truly reflect your core strengths?
Often, our strengths are invisible to ourselves. We assume everyone possesses them, leading to frustration when others struggle. The reality is, what’s effortless for you might be challenging for someone else.
Don’t assume you know all your strengths. You need assistance to uncover them, and a career coach can be invaluable.