Hi there and welcome. I’m Kerstin Jatho, a transformational coach who helps people shift from
languishing to flourishing. In today’s video, I want to talk to you about how to use your strengths in
the workplace. Did you know that on average, we use only 20% of our strengths in the workplace?
That’s a staggering, shocking, and very sad statistic.
Can you just imagine what it would be like if you used 80% of your strengths and 20% of your
weaknesses. What would be the difference? A recent article that I read by Warren Buffett, who is
the founder of Berkshire Hathaway, says that 30 years of his success was working with his strengths,
and having a buddy by his side who had the strengths that he lacked.
So, a lot of that is about removing your ego and actually working and collaborating with somebody
who has your strengths. That’s the secret to it. But let me share four other tips on how you can really
use your strengths in the workplace.
1. Know what your strengths are
The first one is if you consciously know what your strengths are, utilise them more, engage
in activities that enhance your strengths more and more. If you don’t know what your
strengths are, then you need to actually ask the people in your environment. Be it family
members, colleagues, or peers. When or what did they see you do, where you felt energised,
invigorated, and where activities for you were effortless.
2. Spot strengths in others
Because the minute you’re in that space, you’re using your strengths. The second one is to spot strengths in others. Often, we see strengths in others faster than we see them in ourselves. So, again, as you go through the working environment and you are interacting with your team, see what activities or tasks people are doing that are effortless for them, that are energising for them, and that just seem simple. Because they would love to repeat them. They are not difficult for them. So, leverage on that.
3. Collaborate with people
The third one is to be Warren Buffet. Collaborate with a person who has the strengths that
you lack, for you to go and grow and develop your strengths. Yes, that is possible, but it does
take a lot of time because you have to create neuroplasticity in your brain. So, you have to rewire a lot of neurons and that can take nine to 12 months. You might not have that time. So, buddy, with somebody. For them, remember it’s easy and effortless. So, together you really create this vibrant combo of two different strengths and, you know, working together with somebody also enhances and increases the sense of belonging and working together in a team. Something that is very positive for us.
4. Ask others about your strengths
And the fourth one is to ask customers what your strengths are as a team and as an
organisation, what they want more of, because they will actually tell you. And that will help
you develop your strengths as a team and individually. Strengths is all about shifting your
lens from what is going wrong to what is going strong.
That is seriously how you look at your strengths. What inspires you? What gives you energy? What
do you want to repeat? What is effortless? The minute you tap into that, you know what your strengths are, and you will shift your 20% very quickly upwards, increasing your productivity, performance, satisfaction, and happiness.
Over to you for sharing your comments and experiences.
Do you know what you are naturally good at?
About the Author: Kerstin Jatho
Kerstin is the senior transformational coach and team development facilitator for 4Seeds Consulting. She is also the author of Growing Butterfly Wings, a book on applying positive psychology principles during a lengthy recovery. Her passion is to develop people-centred organisations where people thrive and achieve their potential in the workplace. You can find Kerstin on LinkedIn, Soundcloud, YouTube and Facebook.
