Navigating how to utilize your strengths in the corporate world

Every individual has a unique set of strengths they bring to the table. Understanding and utilizing your own strengths can contribute to the start of your career and the strength of your work performance. It can be hard to pinpoint your own strengths, but there are many platforms that offer personal tests (or quizzes) to determine your strengths. Some include CliftonStrengths, high5test, and Myers & Briggs test. 

Our strengths can show up differently in every realm of our lives. Although I have an understanding of how my strengths appear in my everyday life, I need to understand them from the mindset of a young professional in the corporate world. No matter the position, industry, if you’re still looking for work, etc. recognizing and applying your strengths will enhance your work, collaboration, and self confidence. Your strengths help you understand who you are in the corporate world and is a part of your personal brand.

What are the outcomes of understanding your personal strengths?

• Boosted confidence

  • Confidence can vary everyday, and entering a new era of your life can influence your confidence. Pinpointing and utilizing your strengths can help combat negative self talk or self doubt people tend to experience in their work lives.

• Enhanced performance

  • Apply your strengths where you can to increase the quality of your work. If you are able to apply your strengths to work you may see higher quality and find more enjoyment in tasks.

• Increased self understanding 

  • Taking time to reflect on your personal experiences allows you to reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, etc. Self reflection allows room to continue growing, and it can enhance your self image and relationships. 

  • The ability to collaborate and lead others comes through self understanding. If you know your strengths, and weaknesses, you can better collaborate with your team and enhance your leadership skills.

• Articulation of self

  • Identifying your strengths, and providing experiences that illustrate them, contributes to your ability to sell yourself through articulation. This is also known as the narrative method.

• Increased motivation

  • If you know what you’re good at and you can apply these strengths to your work, you may experience more motivation. Most of us like to do what we’re good at, and this can help us find joy in our work everyday.

How can your strengths enhance your career? 

• Increased motivation

  • Intersect your passions and talents to increase your motivation around the work being done. Check out ‘ikigai’ for more details!

  • Continuing to place your strengths in your work can contribute to increasing your motivation.

• Enhanced performance

  • Utilize your skills to contribute to the quality of your work. Navigate where  your strengths can enhance the outcome of every task. 

• Continued developing 

  • As you continue to develop your strengths, be conscious of areas that need effort to improve. You can capitalize on the strengths of others to continue your development as a professional and team player. 

• Adaptability

  • Change can happen in every aspect of your work, and your strengths can help you adapt to the unforeseen changes that will come. The ability to adapt can make the process of obtaining and pertaining work easier.

• Leadership and collaboration

  • We all have our unique strengths. Pinpoint yours and maximize them to enhance your contribution to collaboration and leadership skills. Don't compare yourself to others, we all thrive in different ways. Focus on your skills and your work.

We all are our own unique individuals, and we each bring different strengths to the table. Use your strengths to sell yourself and your work performance. Utilize your strengths however suits you best; your strengths and actions both contribute to your brand and performance.