Want to get better at your job? Improve your strengths!

You play a vital role within your organization, but you feel like there’s still room for you to improve. So you decide to get serious about tackling your weaknesses. After all, that’s the best way to boost your value to your organization, right? Wrong! Believe it or not, you’re actually better off focusing on improving the things you’re already good at. Read on to find out why.

If you want to increase your value as an employee, your first instinct might be to work on improving your weaknesses. But while that’s not necessarily a bad idea, if you truly want to excel you should focus on your strengths instead.

Do you have a knack for defining a clear strategic vision? If so, then don’t spend your time worrying about the details, but stick to project management instead. Your coworkers will be glad to have someone who can see the big picture, ensuring the project runs smoothly. They’ll come to rely on you and see you as indispensable.

What are your natural talents?

There are a number of ways of finding out what you’re already good at. Take a few moments to think about which parts of your job you find particularly invigorating or fulfilling. Which activities are so enjoyable and absorbing that they make your workday fly by?

Your immediate coworkers can also be a great source of insight. Don’t be afraid to ask them for feedback. Ask them to describe your strengths and weaknesses so that you can get a feel for how other people see you.

I know what I’m good at. Now what? 

Once you’ve figured out where your strengths lie, it’s time for the real work to begin. Now that you have more insight into your talents, you can think about how they align with your job responsibilities. Be proactive and look for new ways of utilizing your strengths. Is a new project in the works? Offer to join the team and show how you can make a valuable contribution to the project. This will allow you to maintain control over your work. Over time, you’ll notice that you’re doing more and more of what you’re good at. The result? You’ll spend more time creating value for your organization. And that definitely won’t go unnoticed!

Taking the next step 

Ready to take the next step in your career and make yourself truly indispensable within your organization? Read our new whitepaper, 'Accelerate your career' for more tips on how to make the most of your career.

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