In this day and age, knowing one’s strengths is critical for achieving success in a person’s chosen career path. It does not matter if you want to work as an intrapreneur, employee, or an entrepreneur, knowing what you are good at allows one to set realistic goals and take appropriate measures to achieve those goals. You can progress through your career by leveraging your strengths to sore above your aspirations.
This article will take you through a 10 point framework designed to help you recognize what your strengths are. Further, these points aim to show how a person can utilize those strengths to propel their future. Let’s jump right in.
Why Identifying Your Strengths is Important
Knowing your strengths allows you to put them to use in areas of work where the skills can be useful. My focus narrows down to only those areas, which I know would give me positive results. For instance, Dr. Vivek Bindra, the founder of Bada Business, had to change the field of work he was in. And he was able to do so because he identified what he was good at.
The 10 Point Framework for Identifying Your Strengths
Here are the 10 characteristics that stand out and can assist you in recognizing your strengths:
1. Time Management
Success starts with effective time management. For instance, a doctor is someone who is managing time so how would you go back to a doctor that is apparently very poor with time management? So it is in your career, managing your time can allow you to do more without syphoning your energy.
2. Persistence
The ability to keep going in the face of obstacles is termed as persistence. Dr. Bindra had to go through many hurdles such as selling his house in order to pay his employees. But even after several challenges, he was able to build Bada Business and be successful owing to his persistence.
3. Communication Skills
The ability to communicate effectively is critical in all professions. In the event that you lack effective communication, you may end up losing valuable chances. Work on your speaking and writing abilities to make sure that you articulate yourself well and with assurance.
4. Analytical Thinking
Analytical skills enable you to solve problems and support your decisions with facts. In the era we live in, one must have the ability to critique and analyze information whether you’re determining a cricket team’s run rate or studying business patterns.
5. Leadership
Leadership can be demonstrated at any level in the organization and not only the top executives. Leadership can be developed by anyone and involves taking responsibility and enabling others to work towards a shared purpose. As a leader, you would encourage your staff and get things done.
6. Teamwork Skills
No single person becomes successful by themselves. Teamwork is much more important in the business world. Knowing how to work with other people will enable you to accomplish your objectives more effectively and quicker.
7. Discipline
Discipline allows one to work toward goals that demand persistence. Like soldiers in battle, the disciplined will keep their eyes on the goal despite the intervening noise or disruption.
8. Risk-taking
Calculated risk is an area of development for your career. Risk taking is a norm in Silicon Valley. Leaving your comfort zone is a necessity, but so is considering the consequences of such a change.
9. Innovative Thinking
Fresh ideas and creative thinking are fundamental in the modern world. Nobody wants to be the business like a traditional bank which could not embrace mobile banking. Endeavor to be innovative and find new ways to tackle issues.
10. Execution
The execution of an idea is the most important. Ideas are lovely but they bring no results. You need to act on them. It does not matter how many times you may have fallen, keep executing your plans.
How To Use The 10 Point Framework To Identify Your Strengths
Now that you know these ten points, it is time to self reflect. Score yourself based on each point on a 5 point scale where 1 is very weak and 5 is exemplary. This is how you do it.
Rate each skill individually. For example, if time management is your strength, score yourself higher.
Combine your scores: The highest score together can add up to a maximum of fifty points and a minimum of ten points.
Interpret your score: A score above forty will indicate that there are multiple areas in which you have strong competencies. A score below 40 shows where you need to improve.
How To Capitalize On Your Strengths
You now know what your strengths are so you should work on them. For instance, if your communication skills rated high, look for positions that demand active communication both in writing and speaking. Conversely, if discipline garnered a low rating, focus on developing a routine that will enable you to concentrate and be more productive.
Final Thoughts: Achieve Career Success
Recongizing your strengths is your first step to endeavoring career success. The 10 points provided in the above framework allows you to take stock of your skills which need attention. Concentrating on your strengths while working on your weaknesses gives you the opportunity to set goals and elevate yourself in your career.
Apply this framework and let it guide you in revealing the path towards your goals. With the correct amount of focus and effort, your career will become more tangible and fulfilling.
