How to Find and Communicate Strengths

A few weeks ago, I had a client ask me how to recognize strengths in other people. She was highly aware of her own strengths but found it difficult to truly identify and value the strengths of others around her. With a goal of stepping into a leadership position, she knew that this was a skill she wanted to build out because she recognized the importance of seeing people and valuing their work, she just didn’t know how to do it. 

I found this an interesting question, because many of my clients find it incredibly easy to point to the strengths of other people but fail to recognize their personal strengths. It’s why I include the CliftonStrengths34 assessment in my Basecamp and Summit coaching programs, because then we don’t have to waste time playing “seek and find.” 

Why Identifying Strengths Is Important 

As a business owner or manager, knowing your team members’ strengths is an important way to build job satisfaction and trust. Not only will the organization see greater results, but its members will become more confident and happier on the job. This is relevant in the home environment as well, rather than harping on what your husband isn’t good at, focus on what he is – and delegate tasks accordingly! 

Knowing and understanding your own strengths will help you increase your confidence through positive self-talk and empower you to find opportunities that align with your skill set! 

So, whether you need to build “strengths finding” skills to empower others, or you need to build it to empower yourself, here is the two-part process I recommend! 

1. Recognize Strengths. 

2. Communicate them! 

Let me explain…. 

Part 1: Recognizing Strengths 

1. Let go of expectations 

How realistic are your expectations? Are you expecting other people to do the impossible, or expecting yourself to perform at a standard that is far beyond what your time and energy will allow? 

When we let go of our expectations around HOW something is completed or WHAT the final outcome looks like, we can be more open and receptive to the different strengths and ideas that led to the end result. 

2. Look for the good

Our brains are negatively programmed. We are constantly looking for what went “wrong” so that we can “fix” it for next time. It’s a survival tendency, but using these cues for learning is helpful in its own right. But when it comes to recognizing strengths in others or ourselves, we have to train our brains to look for the good. After every interaction you have, take time to reflect on the positive takeaways. Consider what went well, why it went well, and how you can use that information in future interactions. 

Pro tip: write it down! Keep a celebration journal where you write down the strengths you’ve identified in yourself and others.

3. Practice gratitude 

In addition to looking for the good, taking time to be grateful can help you identify strengths and positive attributes in yourself and other people. Having a mindset that primarily seeks to recognize the value in others will make it easier to appreciate their strengths, and it will be easier to recognize the value you bring to the table as well. After each interaction, consider what you are grateful for and why. 

Pro tip: write it down! Keep a gratitude journal where you keep track of the things you are grateful for, and why. 

4. Invest in the search 

Without getting to know a person, it is impossible to truly identify their strengths. Make sure you are having meaningful conversations that aim to draw out what that person appreciates about themselves. By doing so, you will get a feel for where their confidence lies and how they view themselves. You can do this work internally as well by taking assessments, or asking others directly about your strengths, and why they see them as strengths. 

Pro tip: Many times, people will share strengths you didn’t realize you had. Don’t downplay them. Instead, flip back to that celebration journal and celebrate them! 

Part 2: Communicating Strengths 

Once you’ve identified someone’s strengths, it is important to communicate and celebrate them! 

When celebrating other people, use specific examples. Share how and why their strengths helped in a certain situation, and why you’re grateful for them. For example, if you recognize someone to be highly inclusive and open to new ideas, tell them that, and then explain how you appreciate their diversity of thought and ability to work well with others. This will give them a little ego boost and encourage them to keep growing the strengths that bring value to the broader mission. As a leader, you can also start to align them to more projects or positions where their talents and strengths will be maximized.

Pro tip: Self talk matters. Once you recognize your personal strengths, celebrate them through affirmations, and then figure out how to leverage these strengths on a regular basis! Example: “I excel at generating ideas and strategies, but not at execution. Therefore, I will find opportunities that allow me to generate ideas and strategy, and delegate the tasks to someone who is skilled at getting things done.”