Leaning into Your Strengths – The Key to Loving Your Work
Ever notice how some days at work fly by in the best way? You’re in a state of flow (Csikszentmihalyi), and you look up, wondering where the time has gone. You’re fully immersed and energized; when challenges pop up, you can tackle them. Then, other days drag – where every task feels like a grind, and the clock won’t move. What’s the difference?
Strengths.
At The Talent Strategy Collective, we spend a lot of time helping individuals and organizations understand the power of strengths-based approaches, teams and leadership. It’s not just a feel-good exercise—it’s backed by research. Studies have shown that when people do what they do best, they are more engaged, productive, and significantly happier in their roles. Why, you ask? Think about it – when the organization you work for, the job that you’re in and the way you can approach your work align with your natural way of thinking, behaving and acting, and that job gives you the time, resources and attention to lean into and master those aspects of your life – you are feeling appreciated, welcomed and valuable. Who doesn’t want to feel that way at work?
An ah-ha moment for me was when I heard Marcus Buckingham speak at a leadership summit about this very thing. He highlighted his research that states if you spend at least 20% of your time doing something you genuinely enjoy, you’ll love your job. Just 20%! That means you don’t have to overhaul your entire career or make massive changes to find fulfillment—you need to intentionally lean into what energizes you. Look for ways to put your finger on what puts you into a flow state and find MORE of it!
So, what does that look like in real life? It’s knowing that if you’re high in Strategic, you thrive when you get to problem-solve. If Communication is a top strength, you light up when you can connect with others and pass along information. If you lead with Harmony, you like to be able to make things sing smoothly along. The more time you spend in these zones of strength, the better your work (and your experience of it) becomes. This positive approach isn’t just my idea – it’s been proven over and over again.
It’s also been proven that the areas of most significant growth are not in your “weaknesses” (or barriers to success, as we Strengths Coaches like to say) but in the parts where you are naturally talented. When we spend time, energy, and attention in the areas that we are best at, we have the ability to develop and be the best versions of ourselves. And for those things you aren’t that great at, be aware of them and work with others who excel in those areas.
Unfortunately, many workplaces still focus more on fixing weaknesses than amplifying strengths. But what if we flipped that script? What if our teams were built around what people naturally do best? What if managers helped employees lean into their strengths instead of merely ‘improving’ their weak spots? This shift isn’t just theoretical—it’s measurable. Strengths-based organizations outperform others in retention, profitability, and engagement.
We want to help workplaces get there. That’s why we’re planning to come to a place close to our colleagues and customers on a cross-country road show. We are excited to announce that The Talent Strategy Collective will host strengths-based events nationwide—helping teams unlock what makes them thrive. Just comment on our post, and we’ll get you the information when we have all the details worked out.
For now, here’s your challenge:
- Identify one task or aspect of your job that genuinely energizes you.
- Find a way to spend more time doing it this week.
- Observe how that impacts your motivation, productivity, and overall enjoyment of work.
Strengths aren’t just about making work better—they’re about making your experience of work better. And that’s something worth investing in.
As you look for that fire within, check out the opportunities we have found across Canada that intersect with career and experiential education and a few others that we thought you might find interesting.
We hope you enjoy this weekly hive update and hope to be buzzing around your area soon!
#Strengths #Gallup #CliftonStrengths #Leadership #TalentStrategy #MoreThanAJob
Here’s what’s buzzing this week:
Newfoundland & Labrador
🔹 Coordinator, Outreach and Engagement (2-year contract) – Memorial University of Newfoundland
Apply Here – Closes Feb 20, 2025
Ontario
🔹 Coordinator – Entrepreneurship Programs – University of Toronto (St. George)
Apply Here – Closes Feb 19, 2025
🔹 Career Data & Systems Specialist – Queen’s University
Apply Here – Closes Feb 19, 2025
🔹 Associate VP, Enrolment – Redeemer University
Apply Here – No closing date provided
🔹 Career Development & Relationship Manager – McMaster University (Central)
Apply Here – Closes Feb 18, 2025
🔹 Director, Programs (Future Skills Centre) – Term till March 2026 – Toronto Metropolitan University
Apply Here – Closes Feb 17, 2025
🔹 Programs Manager (DMZ) – Term 1 year – Toronto Metropolitan University
Apply Here – Closes Feb 24, 2025
🔹 Director, Brampton Venture Zone (Temp until April 2027) – Toronto Metropolitan University
Apply Here – Closes Feb 27, 2025
🔹 Industry Engagement Specialist (Term 1 year) – Toronto Metropolitan University
Apply Here – Closes Feb 14, 2025
🔹 Innovation Program Lead (Term 1 Year) – Toronto Metropolitan University
Apply Here – Closes Feb 14, 2025
🔹 Manager, Business Development – Applied Research (Term) – Confederation College
Apply Here – Closes Feb 23, 2025
🔹 Alumni Career Success Coordinator – George Brown College
Apply Here – Closes Feb 14, 2025
🔹 Community Studies Placement Officer (Term) – Georgian College
Apply Here – Closes Feb 18, 2025
🔹 Placement Officer – Niagara College
Apply Here – Closes Feb 18, 2025
Saskatchewan
🔹 Program Coordinator, Executive Education – University of Saskatchewan
Apply Here – Closes Feb 21, 2025
🔹 Student Engagement Coordinator (Term) – Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Apply Here – Closes Feb 20, 2025
🔹 Manager of Programs – 3-year term – University of Regina – Hill and Levene Schools of Business
Apply Here – Closes Feb 23, 2025
Alberta
🔹 Industry Engagement Project Coordinator (Term) – SAIT
Apply Here – Closes Feb 19, 2025
British Columbia
🔹 Instructional Designer, UBC Career Centre (Term) – University of British Columbia
Apply Here – Closes Feb 20, 2025
🔹 Career Development Coach – 6-month term – Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Apply Here – Closes Feb 13, 2025
🔹 College & Career Preparation Instructor – Term – Northern Lights College
Apply Here – No closing date provided