Why the Strengths Approach

In the business of life we spend far more time on dealing with our weaknesses than we do developing our strengths. However research from positive psychology shows that much better results are to be gained from playing to our strengths than focusing on our weaknesses. This is our greatest potential for growth. Developing strengths leads to improved performance, greater productivity and increased well-being. When you enable someone to play to their strengths, you’re creating the circumstances for them to excel – with ease – as they’re doing something that comes naturally. According to research from Gallup, people who use their strengths daily are six times more likely to be engaged in their jobs and more than three times as likely to report quality of life.

When you focus on developing weaknesses – the path of most resistance – the best you can expect is mediocrity as you’re not using a natural talent. And yet fixing weaknesses remains the focus of most training in the workplace and education in schools. Of course we do need to manage our weaknesses and master basic skills, but beyond that the route to success lies in identifying and using your strengths. One study of 19000 employees found that by focusing on strengths, performance increased in the workplace by 36%. Another study showed that focusing on weaknesses caused performance to decline by 26%.

This represents a paradigm shift in the way we operate and yet in these recessionary times, structuring a workplace around people’s strengths is the sustainable way to success.

What strengths development will give you:-

• Identify your natural talents
• Gain insight into your character
• Provides a sense of direction
• Helps to achieve goals
• Develops confidence
• Generates optimism
• Increases positive emotions and well-being
• Produces a sense of vitality
• Leads to success

Positive Psychology Training offers strengths-based coaching for individuals and strengths-based development within organisations.