Clarifying Who You Are and How You Fit into Your Organization
If your organization is seeking a keynote speaker, a workshop leader, or a team-building activity facilitator to help attract and retain strong contributors and leaders so you can advance your organization’s mission, I'm here to help. By working with your employees, I can help bring out the qualities that enable them to maximize their contributions and thrive.
Top Attributes Employees Seek In Their Next Job
Gallup reports that, when it comes to their next role, US employees are prioritizing the following:
Greater work-life balance and improved personal wellbeing (62%)
Significant compensation package improvements (58%)
Being allowed to do what they do best (58%)
Helping Your Employees Tap Into Their Strengths
In order for employees to do what they do best, they need to be clear on what that is, be in a role that’s a good match for their skills, and receive the support to focus on using those skills.
I often hear professionals with years of experience say, "I don't know what I'm good at. I need help getting clear on my skills."
This is a common challenge among career launchers and switchers who don’t have a lot of work experience yet or are feeling unsure of their relevant skills for their new workplace.
Sometimes people say that they don't feel qualified or confident in their role and will label it "Imposter Syndrome."
I question how helpful it is to label your feelings as a syndrome. I'll offer an alternative way to think about your situation.
An Alternative to Imposter Syndrome
What if, as an alternative to "Imposter Syndrome," you labeled your situation as being on a quest?
What if you're on a quest to clarify what your strengths are and how to use them to do work you love that has a positive impact?
Shifting your mindset so the question is a puzzle can help you feel motivated to solve it.
Why You Might Call Into Question Your Skills
There can be a number of reasons you call your skills and capabilities into question.
You're in a new role and are feeling insufficient in certain areas with which you have less familiarity. Example: you were recently promoted and now have direct reports you aren't sure how to lead effectively
Circumstances have changed and you are being called upon to work in new ways that are stretching you. Example: your organization went through a merger or acquisition
Who you're working with has changed and you feel like you might need to adjust your approach. Example: You have a new boss or team member
You feel like you don't have enough time to learn technologies or systems, and you're struggling to keep up. Example: Your employer just switched to new software and you have so much on your plate that you don't feel like you have time to get comfortable with it
You are part of an underrepresented group in your industry and everyday feels like an uphill battle to be listened to and taken seriously. Example: You are a woman and/or person of color working in a field that is dominated by white males
People around you have made derogatory comments about your abilities, causing you to doubt your capabilities (your potential). Example: Your supervisor has a tendency to exclude you and diminish your ideas and contributions
Can you relate to any of these situations? If so, what do you do?
How can you do your best work when you're feeling like you might not have the expertise or right kind of environment to thrive?
Getting Clear On Your Skills
I'm excited to share with you two valuable tools I use to help my clients thrive as professionals.
As a Certified Holistic Narrative Career Professional with OneLifeTools - Leaders in Narrative Assessment , I have learned about the power of storytelling for leading a rewarding career. I have used narrative assessment with hundreds of professionals to help them reflect, clarify, and explore possibilities.
As a Certified SkillScan Coach, I also use an assessment from SkillScan Career Assessments. The personalized report that is generated is a useful tool for supporting professionals to understand what skills they possess and want to focus on using in their day-to-day life.
Adopting a Strengths-Based Approach
Instead of feeling bad that you aren't good at certain things, explore what it feels like to use a strengths-based approach. This involves recognizing what you are good at and areas in which you're interested in improving. Then, discovering ways you can lean into your strengths to function with more joy and impact, so you can avoid burnout.
TIP FOR ORGANIZATIONS:
Support your employees to engage in assessments and coaching so they can feel more clear and confident about what they have to offer, and where they can grow.
Using Storytelling to Increase Clarity & Confidence
If you're calling your skills into question, it can be valuable to engage in some storytelling.
To start tapping into the power of storytelling, let's focus on a particular type of experience. Get ready to write down your ideas...
A Time You Were at Your Best
Think about a time you were at your best. Maybe it was at work, or maybe it was as a student, a volunteer, a community member, or a family member. Give the story a name.
2. What kinds of strengths were you using in this situation? Think of a strength as the overlap of what you're good at and enjoy. Here are several examples:
Researching
Writing
Public Speaking
Leading Groups
Analyzing Data
Developing Strategies
Managing Projects
Providing Care
Supporting Customers
Solving Problems
Designing Programs
3. Now consider what you especially liked about the experience. This helps you identify your desires. Here are some examples:
I felt creative
I had flexibility
It was collaborative
I felt respected
I was learning
I was helping people
There was variety
I felt part of something bigger than myself
4. Next, focus on what personal qualities you were tapping into. Here are a few examples:
Analytical
Empathetic
Creative
Patient
Passionate
Curious
Resourceful
Adaptable
5. Reflecting on this story, what possibilities can you identify for yourself that you are curious to explore? Here are some examples:
Become more familiar with [fill in the blank]
Attend an event on [Topic XYZ]
Read a book on [Topic XYZ]
Listen to a podcast on [Topic XYZ]
Talk to a friend who is involved in [fill in the blank]
Research opportunities at my organization to get involved with [fill in the blank]
Do some writing about [fill in the blank]
Go to [fill in the blank]
Participate in [fill in the blank]
Getting Clear on Who You Are & What You Have to Offer
Now that you've reflected on this experience, you are already on your quest!
To be the best contributor to an organization that you are capable of being, it’s crucial to be clear on: who you are, what your strengths are, what’s important to you, and what possibilities you’re curious to explore.
What Becomes Possible When You Have Clarity
When you achieve this clarity, you can:
feel proud of what you're bringing to the table
discover potential partners with complementary experiences and skills
identify opportunities for continued learning and growth.
It's important to self-inventory periodically, because you change over time. Circumstances and needs also change.
Getting To Know Your Colleagues' Strengths
Not only is it important to understand your own strengths. By understanding how you fit into the bigger picture, you can use your strengths to maximize your impact and help others around you do the same.
You're part of an ecosystem. You might be part of teams, divisions, departments, offices, organizations, communities, and industries.
As a coach with a climatetech studio, a partnership of Fedtech and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, I support teams of entrepreneurs and inventors to advance technologies that contribute to decarbonization. The cohort members, mentors, advisors, and partners are all part of the climatetech innovation ecosystem. Everyone brings their unique experiences, skills, and interests. Together, it is an incredible group of people who are collectively making positive changes to address our climate crisis.
Strengths-Based Professional Development
When your organization hosts retreats, staff development days, quarterly meetings, and the like, these are opportunities to get to know each other's strengths and interests.
Investments in self-discovery and team-building help organizations function better through:
Building trust within and across teams
Increasing self-awareness, including strengths and possibilities
Improving sense of connection to the team and organization
Supporting effective communication, including providing and receiving feedback
Supporting Organizations to Thrive
When you invest in building a positive corporate culture that supports people as individuals and helps them work effectively as teams, you reduce burnout and increase retention and engagement.
For instance, I facilitate a conversation experience for teams called "Who You Are Matters!" developed by OneLifeTools. This gamified approach to professional development provides a fun, structured way to build trust and team cohesion.
During the activity, participants reflect and share about their experiences and also learn about their fellow participants. They get to practice their listening skills and empathy, as they receive guidance on how to share appreciation and constructive feedback. They come away feeling inspired, supported, and ready to take intentional action to advance their goals.
Share Your Thoughts
How could this approach be helpful for your organization? I am eager to hear from you.
Reach out if you’re interested in exploring working together.
