5 Strategies to Identify and Leverage Your Unique Personal Strengths to Reshape Your Career
- Sim Boon Chuan, ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC)
- Apr 7
- 4 min read
The Power of Owning What Makes You “You” via Personal Strengths
Let’s begin by looking at a tale of two colleagues: Jen and Mel. Both of them work as graphic designers, have similar experience, and even graduated from the same university. But Jen thrives while Mel feels stuck. The difference? Jen learned to identify and lean into her unique personal strengths like creativity, strategic thinking, and relationship-building, while Mel spreads herself thin by trying to “fix” her weaknesses.
Change your perception to view your personal strengths as not just skills, but as your superpowers. They fuel your confidence, impact, and sense of fulfilment. It is sad to see many professionals undervalue their strengths or assume that their strengths must be “obvious” like public speaking or coding. Strengths can also present themselves in subtler ways like empathy, problem-solving, resilience, or even your ability to simplify complex ideas.
In this post, we will explore actionable strategies to uncover what makes you exceptional and use it to shape your career trajectory. Let’s dive in!
1. Start with Self-Reflection
Your personal strengths often hide in the moments when you lose track of time (what psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi refers as being “in the flow.” Take some time to think about the occasions when you feel energised, not drained? What tasks do other people consistently ask you to help with?
Example: Sarah, a project manager, dreaded budget spreadsheets but noticed she lit up during team brainstorming sessions. She realised her personal strength was much more than just “organization” (which she thought was her selling point) but facilitating collaboration. She subsequently pivoted to a role leading cross-departmental innovation workshops. She now thrives in her new role.
Action Steps:
Keep a “Personal Strength Journal” for 1 week: Note tasks that energise you versus those that drain you.
Ask yourself:
“What do I do differently than others in my role?”
“When have I overcome a challenge in a way that felt natural?”
Use online assessment tools: Try the VIA Character Strengths Survey or CliftonStrengths Assessment to identify main themes.
2. Seek Feedback from Others
Sometimes you might underestimate your personal strengths because they feel so easy and obvious to you. That is where feedback from those around you is important.
Example: James, a software engineer, considered himself as a quiet contributor. But during a 360-review, his peers praised his ability for explaining technical concepts to non-engineers. James did not really see “communication” as a standout skill until his manager suggested that he mentor junior hires. Today, he is a lead trainer at his company.
Action Steps:
Ask 3-5 colleagues, mentors, or friends:
“What’s one thing I do exceptionally well?”
“What do you think I should do more of?”
Look for overlap: If multiple people highlight the same trait, that is a clue.
Pro tip: Frame feedback requests around growth, not performance reviews. Example: “I’m working on aligning my career with my personal strengths, any insights would mean a lot!”
3. Align Strengths with Career Opportunities
Once you have identified your strengths, the next step is to intentionally apply them. This might mean reshaping your current role, pursuing a promotion, or even switching careers.
Example: Maria, a financial analyst, realised her strength was storytelling with data instead of just crunching numbers. She actively seeks out opportunities and started volunteering to present reports to executives, which led to a promotion in strategic planning.
Action Steps:
Map your personal strengths to your goals:
Strength: Relationship-building → Opportunity: Lead client-facing projects.
Strength: Detail orientation → Opportunity: Quality assurance roles.
Redefine your job description: Propose projects or responsibilities that align with your strengths.
For job seekers: Highlight strengths in your resume with specific examples. Instead of “strong communicator,” rewrite as “Led 10+ workshops translating technical data into actionable client insights.”
4. Turn Weaknesses into Collaborations
Everyone has personal strengths and weaknesses. You do not have to be good at everything. Instead, focus on honing strengths and partnering with others who complement your gaps.
Example: When Priya, a startup founder, struggled with operational logistics (her weakness), she hired a COO who excelled in systems-building. This enabled Priya to focus on her personal strengths in vision-casting and investor relations. The company scaled 3x faster as a result.
Action Steps:
Audit weaknesses: List tasks that drain you or require excessive effort.
Delegate, automate, or collaborate:
If you hate public speaking but love writing, offer to draft speeches for a charismatic teammate.
Use tools like Grammarly (for writing) or Trello (for organization) to streamline weaknesses.
Reframe weaknesses: Instead of looking at them as flaws that needs to be avoided at all costs, see them as an opportunity to build a support system.
5. Communicate Your Personal Strengths Confidently
Many professionals might intentionally choose to downplay their strengths, fearing they will be seen as being arrogant. But sharing them tactfully builds credibility and attracts opportunities.
Example: During a networking event, instead of saying, “I am okay at graphic design,” designer Rahul said, “I specialize in creating visuals that turn complex ideas into shareable content. Last month, my infographic went viral and drove 10K+ web visits for a client.” He landed three leads that night.
Action Steps:
Practice a “personal strength statement”: “I am at my best when I am [activity] because I [strength].”Example: “I am at my best when I am mentoring new hires because I love helping people unlock their potential.”
In interviews: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to showcase your strengths.
Conclusion: Your Personal Strengths Are Your Compass
Identifying and leveraging your strengths is not a one-time task, but a lifelong practice. Revisit them as you grow, take on new challenges, or shift industries. Remember, the goal is not to be a “well-rounded” professional but a distinctive one.
Final Challenge: This week, share one strength with a colleague or your LinkedIn network. For example: “I have realized my ability to [strength] is something I want to lean into this year. How can I support you with it?”
Your Turn: What is one strength you have underestimated? How could it reshape your career?
About the Author
Sim Boon Chuan, a seasoned engineer with 20+ years in semiconductor manufacturing, transitioned to career coaching after witnessing widespread industry upheavals. Equipped with an ACC credential from the ICF, DISC certification, and career coaching expertise, he guides professionals through uncertainty. Having navigated layoffs and workforce shifts firsthand, Boon Chuan empowers individuals to leverage their personal strengths, adapt to evolving markets, and craft resilient career paths. His mission: turning career chaos into clarity with actionable strategies for lasting success.
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