10/11/2015 Ten 

Reasons to Focus on Your Strengths | Psychology Today

Michelle McQuaid
From Functioning to Flourishing

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Posted Nov 11, 2014

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Have you ever found yourself stuck in a job you really weren’t enjoying? Perhaps you needed the
money?  Or maybe you needed to stay for your resume?  Or possibly you weren’t sure what else you
wanted to be doing? 

Several years ago my boss asked me to take on a project I really didn’t want to be doing for a host of
good reasons: it wasn’t work I enjoyed; the team (/basics/teamwork)’s morale was at rock bottom and;
it had already failed twice.  Unfortunately, being promoted to the job of my dreams (/basics/dreaming)
required me to deliver this project successfully.

Desperate for an effective way through this project, I decided to see if working from our strengths
(http://www.viainstitute.org) – those things we were good at and actually enjoyed doing – would make
delivering the expected results any easier. 

You see a growing body of research is finding that people who use their strengths more at work:

Are happier ­ studies have found (http://www.ppc.sas.upenn.edu/articleseligman.pdf) they report
lower levels of depression (/basics/depression/depression­and­society), higher levels of vitality,
and good mental health (/basics/health).

Experience less stress (/basics/stress) ­ studies have found
(http://www.viacharacter.org/www/Research/Character­Strengths­Research­Findings­Summary)
they report higher levels of positivity; and in particular the character strengths of Kindness, Social
Intelligence (/basics/intelligence), Self­regulation (/basics/self­control), and Perspective appear to
create a buffer against the negative effects of stress and trauma (/basics/trauma).

Feel healthier and have more energy ­ studies have found
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/functioning­flourishing/201411/ten­reasons­focus­your­strengths 1/4
10/11/2015 Ten Reasons to Focus on Your Strengths | Psychology Today

(https://www.academia.edu/2780846/What_good_are_character_strengths_beyond_subjective_
FIND A THERAPIST City or Zip Go
well­being_The_contribution_of_the_good_character_on_self­reported_health­
oriented_behavior_physical_fitness_and_the_subjective_health_status) that greater
endorsement of character strengths is associated with a number of healthy behaviors including
leading an active life, pursuing enjoyable activities, and eating well.

Feel more satisfied with their lives ­ studies have found
(https://www.academia.edu/1038647/Strengths_of_character_and_well­being) individuals who
are satisfied with life are good problems­solvers, show better work performance, tend to be more
resistant to stress and experience better physical health.

Are more confident ­ studies have found (http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ685058.pdf) that both
strengths knowledge and strengths­use are significantly associated with self­efficacy, self­esteem
(/basics/self­esteem), self­acceptance, and self­confidence.

Experience faster growth and development ­ studies have found
(http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF01173581) that positive self­monitoring and
strengths building are particularly suited to circumstances when you’re learning something new,
something difficult, or something perceived as difficult.

Are more creative and agile at work ­ studies have found
(http://www.researchgate.net/publication/261249732_Dubreuil_P._Forest_J.__Courcy_F._(2014).
_From_strengths_use_to_work_performance_The_role_of_harmonious_passion_subjective_vital
ity_and_concentration._The_Journal_of_Positive_Psychology_1­
15._httpdx.doi.org10.108017439760.2014.898318) that the feelings of authenticity, vitality and
concentration (/basics/attention) created by developing strengths help people to better adapt to
change, engage in more creative and proactive behaviors, pay more attention to detail, and work
harder.

Feel more satisfied and experience more meaning in their work ­ studies have found
(http://www.researchgate.net/publication/235746481_When_the_job_is_a_calling_The_role_of_a
pplying_ones_signature_strengths_at_work) that people who use four or more of their top
character strengths at work are more likely to experience job satisfaction, pleasure, engagement,
and meaning in their work.

Are more engaged in their work ­ studies have found
(http://businessjournal.gallup.com/content/167462/employees­strengths­company­stronger.aspx)
that employees who have the opportunity to regularly use their strengths at work each day are up
to six times more engaged in what they’re doing.

And managers who focus on people’s strengths experience improved team performance and

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/functioning­flourishing/201411/ten­reasons­focus­your­strengths 2/4
10/11/2015 Ten Reasons to Focus on Your Strengths | Psychology Today

greater success.  Studies have found
(http://www.nova.edu/ie/ice/forms/meta_analysis_july_2003.pdf) that leaders who focus on the
strengths of employees benefit from lower levels of staff turnover, higher levels of productivity
(/basics/productivity), more satisfied customers, and greater profitability.

Developing our strengths wasn’t a requirement mentioned in any of our job descriptions, but by finding
small ways each day to do what we did best we were able to start feeling more engaged and
energized about this dreaded project. 

There was nothing expensive or difficult in our approach; we simply learned to value and work to our
strengths. For example, we channeled our strength of Curiosity to find more effective ways to
communicate; we unleashed our strength of Creativity (/basics/creativity) to better connect with
people’s hopes around the project; and we focused on our strength of Gratitude (/basics/gratitude) to
attract more resources and supporters for what we were doing.

As a result, not only did we manage to deliver the project on time and on budget, but we exceeded
every independent measure of success that had been set for employee engagement and customer
satisfaction.  

Each of my team members still describe this project as one of the highlights of their careers.   As for
me, I scored the job of my dreams (http://www.michellemcquaid.com) and went on to teach thousands
of other employees across our organization how to use their strengths at work. 

What might you achieve if you – and your team – had could find small ways each day to do what you
do best?  For more than 70 different ideas to apply your strengths at work grab this free e­book.
(http://michellemcquaid.com/ssas/ebook/)

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10/11/2015 Ten Reasons to Focus on Your Strengths | Psychology Today

Michelle McQuaid is a workplace wellbeing teacher translating research from positive
flourishing/201411/ten­ s%3A//www.psychology strengths)
psychology and neuroscience into practical strategies for health, happiness, and business
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