USE EMPLOYEES STRENGTHS TO MAXIMISE PRODUCTIVITY

I was privileged to be among the few to attend Gallup Accelerated Strength Coaching Course in India-Mumbai in June 2017. One astounding finding during this training was to focus on my strengths rather than my weakness. The question is, why would a supervisor focus on fixing employee’s weakness instead of maximizing employees strengths?

“Why should supervisor focus on fixing an employee’s weakness instead of maximizing their strengths?

“What will happen when we think about what is right with people rather than focus on what is wrong with them?”

Before we delve into the discussion it is important that we define two concepts:

Talent is a naturally recurring pattern of thought, feeling or behavior that can be productively applied 

Strength is the ability to consistently produce a positive outcome through near-perfect performance in a specific task. To finish with strength, start with talent.

Research has found that Employees who use their strengths are more engaged, perform better, are less likely to leave -- and boost your bottom line. 

Do you know your strengths? I never thought it was necessary until I attended the training. 

I highly recommend that you take Clifton StrenghtsFinder survey which measures the presence of talents in 34 general areas or themes. My test results revealed my top five themes as Maximizer, Responsibility, Activator, Woo and Communication. When you know who you really are, its easier to have a laser focus on what you are good at than trying to be the jack of all trades. It should be established that every individual in an organization  has talents which when properly identified, nurtured and applied will bring productivity at work.

• Power of Strength

Research by Gallup has established a compelling connection between strengths and employee engagement in the workplace -- a connection that has the power to accelerate performance when companies work on enhancing both simultaneously.

• Strength Improves employee engagement

Gallup has found that building employees' strengths is a more effective approach to improving performance than trying to improve weaknesses. When employees know and use their strengths, they are more engaged, perform better, and are less likely to leave their company.

When you apply your strength in your area of work, there is an inner sense of accomplishment in which makes you feel happy and motivated. As you achieve these targets and get recognition by your boss, you ultimately want to repeat that hence productivity becomes the order of the day.

• Strength Improves Employees Confidence

One of the best ways for employers to maximize employees' strengths is through their supervisors. But what happens when supervisors choose to ignore their employees or focus on their weaknesses? The employee will most likely lose confidence in themselves as they can’t perform best. It’s like putting Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi as defenders instead of strikers.  While they will try their best to defend, the team will benefit more when they are strikers.  

Unfortunately, many Managers don't focus on helping employees use their strengths which is costly to the Company.

When employees feel that their company cares and encourages them to make the most of their strengths, they are more likely to respond with increased discretionary effort, a stronger work ethic, more enthusiasm and commitment which will yield positive results for the Organisation.

In conclusion, if organisations want to be more productive, they should identify employees strengths through deliberate efforts of facilitating strenthfinder survey, let employees set goals based on their strengths and measure performance accordingly . Further , focus on strengths instead of fixing weaknesses as its very costly , time wasting and frustrating  like a farmer who want to fix infertile soil using all kinds of chemicals instead of using a fertile ground and apply less effort .Using  your fertile area of life brings  Return on Investment-ROI.

Be Blessed!

Brighton M. Chishimba (MZIHRM/MSHRM)-The author is a Chief Human Resource Officer at Rural Electrification Authority.  Trainer, Strength Coach and Inspirational Speaker.