The Magic of Working from Your Strengths
Edition 3 of the Happier People in Tech blog series introduces you to the most exciting framework from Applied Positive Psychology that will change the way you work. Yes, you read that right. This will change the way you work. For the better. But first, we need to shift our mindset.
1 Positive Strategy
Do you know your strengths?
We have trained ourselves to constantly be on the lookout for things to be fixed, gaps to be closed and ourselves to be improved. What a vicious cycle we have created! When is it ever good enough?
The groundbreaking core principle of Positive Psychology is challenging our depressing focus on fixing weaknesses. Positive Psychology offers a completely different perspective. Instead of looking at your weaknesses, let's look at your strengths.
But what does that mean?
Think about when you are at your best. These moments of brilliance, where everything just works, you feel happy, content, and proud of your achievements. What are your character strengths that make you perform at your best? What are the things that bring you joy, flow, fulfilment and learning?
Often, we have no immediate answer to that. We need to stop and think.
And this is where the tools of Positive Psychology can help you. Discover your character strengths with one of the most prominent strengths framework: the 24 VIA Character Strengths. Everybody has them, across all cultures, genders, race and age. The way they mix for you is what makes you who you are.
I invite you to complete this free survey to discover your own strengths and learn what it is about you that makes you successful, joyful and confident.
(The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and instantly gives you your personal report with your 24 character strengths. A paid version will be advertised, but is not needed to start working with your strengths.)
And now what? Bring your strengths to work!
Curious to learn how to put your strengths into practice? Watch my on-demand webinar Discover Your Strengths to pick up 3 evidence-based strategies to bring your strengths to life.
1 Research Highlight
The power of strengths: what the research tells us
20 years of research have built our current understanding of how working from our strengths can benefit so many areas of our lives. The list of benefits is long - here are some of the highlights:
People who use their strengths in work and life report:
💪🏼 increased confidence in their abilities and skills
🙃 boost in wellbeing and mood
🎯 better goal setting and attainment
👥 improved relationships
When organisations decide to transform their culture with a focus on strengths-based approaches to leadership, communication, personal development and job design, teams begin to flourish and reach their full potential. This is where the future of work begins.
Building a strengths-based culture in your organisations can help to:
✅ cut turnover rates in half
✅ boost employee performance by more than 20%
✅ 73% chance employees are more engaged at work
✅ create a resilient, motivated, collaborative and happy workforce
(Data from Cappfinity)
1 Random Wisdom
Developing your strengths allows you to work with the ways your brain is already wired to perform at its best.
Michelle McQuaid, Positive Psychologist
Are you ready to transform the way you work? Why not book a masterclass on strengths-based approaches for your organisation? Meet me for a ☕️ chat to explore how I can help you make that happen.
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