Today’s blog looks at how we generate more connection to our work, by focusing on our strengths.

It’s sounds simple, but it’s not that common. Research shows that most of us spend only 15-30% using our strengths each day. What are we doing the rest of the time? Writing emails, reading emails, filling in forms, attending multiple meetings?

When we spend the bulk of each day on activities that we struggle with, feel incompetent at or just don’t enjoy, our energy reduces and our motivation collapses.

Working to our strengths is not about staying in our comfort zone.

It’s the opposite. 

To ramp up your drive, focus on activities that stretch you in areas that you are good at, that you enjoy. You deepen your experience, develop your expertise and you’ll want to do more.

Of course, we all have some tasks that we are responsible for that we don’t enjoy. It’s a question of balance.

Two simple practices that can get us using our strengths more:

#1 Know your strengths

There are lots of strength finding tools on the internet. Some like High5 offer a free test, which give you a sense of your key strengths, but you will have to pay to unlock the full in depth review.

 The best free way is just:

• Ask people: what have you observed that I am good at?
• Reflect for a few minutes by yourself on: what gives me joy? And then go deeper with why?

This kind of ‘self-knowledge’ is core to connecting more deeply with ‘our work’.

#2 Know the strengths of your ‘ecosystem’

• Notice what your colleagues’ and managers’ strengths are. If you work with partner organisations, find out what they excel in.
• Increasing collaboration is about getting people to pool their strengths for a common good.
• Actively seek out opportunities that allow you to focus on what you are good at and where you can contribute more to the organisation.

For people in senior roles, your knowledge of your ‘ecosytem’ and where strengths are distributed across it is essential. Supporting people to focus on their strengths, increases people’s connection to their work, and increases quality. It creates an organisation which is self-motivating.

Aim to spend at least 50% of your time doing things you are good at. See how you feel!