How to Identify Your Leadership Strengths

In the modern world of leadership, uncovering and harnessing your strengths is the key to unlocking your true potential.

In other words, knowing what you bring to the table as a leader is really important because it means you will lead your people in a more authentic and intentional way and succeed in bringing out the best in them. I’ll show you here how to work out what your personal leadership strengths are.

What makes a great leader?

People want to work for leaders who inspire and motivate them, who support and empower them to get on with their job, and who clearly communicate their purpose and the team direction.

This package is what the best leaders have nailed and is definitely a model to aspire to. The reality for most people in a leadership role though, is that they will struggle to tick off all these traits. After all, no-one’s perfect!

The big question is, although you might have an inkling about what your own personal leadership strengths are, how do you actually find out for sure?

Be open  🤗

Ask the people you have a good working relationship with for feedback. That includes your peers, your own manager or even your team. Another perspective from someone you trust can highlight the things about yourself that you can’t easily see yourself.

Reflect 🤔

Look at the successes and failures of your people and what you did or didn’t do in those situations to help bring about the outcomes.

Know your strengths 💪

There are some well-regarded assessments, like the Myers Briggs Indicator Type, Insights and Clifton StrengthsFinder 2.0, that can help you understand your qualities in an objective way, which you can then apply to your leadership strengths and style.

Once you’ve got a firmer grasp on your own leadership style and strengths, not only will you be able to use these strengths to help your team achieve great things, you’ll also be in a stronger position to hire and keep the best people.

My personal favourite is Clifton StrengthsFinder, so let me share a bit more about this.

What is CliftonStrengths?

Gallup CliftonStrengths, formerly known as StrengthsFinder, is an assessment tool developed by Gallup, Inc., based on decades of research into human strengths and talents.

The assessment identifies 34 distinct talent themes, each representing a pattern of thought, feeling, and behaviour that can be productively applied in various aspects of life and work.

How Does CliftonStrengths Work?

The CliftonStrengths assessment consists of a series of questions that measure your natural inclinations and preferences across different domains. Based on your responses, the assessment identifies your top five strengths—your "Signature Themes"—which represent the areas where you have the greatest potential for excellence.

Once you receive your results, you'll gain access to personalised reports and resources that delve deeper into each of your top strengths. These reports provide insights into how your strengths manifest in your behaviour, as well as practical tips for leveraging them in your personal and professional life.

CliftonStrengths can help you identify the unique talents that set you apart as a leader and empower you to lead with confidence and authenticity.

For example, if one of your top strengths is "Achiever," you might excel at setting ambitious goals and driving yourself and others to achieve them. Alternatively, if you possess a strength in "Strategic," you may have a natural aptitude for envisioning the future and navigating complex challenges with clarity and foresight.

Applying Your Strengths in Leadership

Once you've identified your top strengths, the next step is to integrate them into your leadership approach. Whether you're leading a team, managing projects, or driving organisational change, your strengths can serve as guiding principles that inform your decisions and actions.

For instance, a leader with a strength in "Communication" can leverage their ability to articulate ideas and build rapport to inspire and motivate their team. Similarly, a leader strong in "Empathy" can foster a supportive and inclusive work environment by understanding and valuing the perspectives of others.

Building a Strengths-Based Culture

Beyond individual development, CliftonStrengths can also be a powerful tool for building a strengths-based culture within your organisation. By encouraging team members to identify and leverage their strengths, you create a more engaged and high-performing workforce. Moreover, recognising and valuing the diverse talents within your team can lead to greater collaboration, innovation, and success.

In summary, Gallup CliftonStrengths offers a transformative approach to leadership development, empowering individuals to unleash their full potential and make a positive impact in their organisations and beyond.

By understanding your unique strengths and leveraging them effectively, you can become a more effective, authentic, and influential leader.

If you're ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth, join Mighty Teams today and get a free Clifton Strengths Finder Assessment. Click here to learn more about this programme.

HERE'S A HELPFUL LIST OF MY MOST POPULAR RESOURCES...

• Take the Leadership Quiz to uncover your natural leadership style.

• Watch my Free Masterclass to learn how to build a high performing team.

• Grab my Free Guide for Busy Managers to help you save 5+ hours every week.

• Browse and download my Free HR Guides and Templates.

• Book a free consultation with Mandy here, to learn more about us working together.