by Trudy Bailey
Why coach from a strengths perspective?
Do more of what you love to do. It’s such a simple concept, but how many people in reality do this? Instead, we tend to focus on trying to improve the weaknesses that seem to have been with us for years. Perhaps the research will spur us on beyond this perspective. It shows that people who use their strengths report being happier and more confident, experience higher levels of energy, less stress and more resilience, and are more likely to achieve their goals and perform better at work. Hearing that, why wouldn't you choose to come from your strengths?
Identifying strengths
Whether you were born to build esteem in others, explain complicated ideas or dream up innovative solutions, by identifying the things that you perform well at (your strengths) you are unlocking your performance potential and greater opportunities to achieve your goals.
It’s not just about identifying strengths
The key to coaching around people’s strengths goes beyond the identification; it’s about managing energy too. There are things our clients may be really good at (our learned behaviours) but find draining. We can help them watch out for these and moderate them accordingly. For instance, I’m great at being a "detail spotter," but if you made me do it all day long, it would drive me mad!
You also have to make sure people aren’t overplaying their strengths. Someone with the strength of service might find it rewarding to look after people and tend to their needs, but might need to dial down sometimes to avoid exhaustion.
The results
Here is just a snapshot of how coaching from a strengths perspective has helped a variety of people and their organisations:
- Improved performance management conversations;
- 91% of team members agreeing strongly that their strengths debrief would help them achieve their objectives and goals;
- 82% of team members agreeing that they had made positive development changes as a result;
- A greater level of trust, understanding and communication across teams;
- Team members feeling more authentic and engaged, and delivering better leadership performance;
- Increased interview confidence and CV writing abilities of university students.
Trudy Bailey is a coach and Programmes Manager at Capp where the organisation’s purpose is to help organisations and individuals to achieve their goals. Visit www.cappeu.com for further information.
IAC Member Benefit: IAC Members can receive one complimentary trial of Realise2, Capp’s online strengths assessment and development tool (use the Referral Code on the IAC Membership Privileges page).
