Focusing on Individual Strengths for Better Team Performance

by Heather L. Fallon

Some may ask is there a "master lever" to bring employees on board for better and engaged performance? There are many different thoughts on the number one reason on the subject, ranging from talent selection to a well defined mission. However, in a recent webinar, presented by Jon Desenberg, Consulting Director at The Performance Institute, he showed that perhaps the number one reason for employee job satisfaction is playing to employee's strengths.

While many believe that it is our weaknesses that we need to work and further develop, why not seek to cultivate current individual strengths. Within a team environment, where members need to take on different roles, a strong team would have individuals with developed strengths that were recognized and appreciated. Throughout our lifetimes, as people grow older they grow more into the people they have always become, meaning that we are not as adaptable and changing as once thought.

As HR professionals, many constantly say, "people are our greatest asset." However, it is truly people's strengths that are our greatest asset in the end. While there are many productive employees, they are most productive in the strengths and those should be utilized to increase performance while also creating a culture of innovation and engagement for employees.

In his presentation, Jon presents six steps to encourage development of individual strenghts for better team performance.

To learn more about the program and how the SEC has been successful with its implementation, click here.

Heather L. Fallon currently serves as the Director for the Center for Human Capital Management at The Performance Institute. For comments and or questions she can be reached directly at Fallon@PerformanceWeb.org.   

The Performance Institute, located in Arlington, VA., is a private, non-partisan think tank seeking to improve government performance through the principles of competition, accountability performance, and transparency. PI serves as the nation’s leading authority and repository on performance based management practices for government. The mission of the Institute is to identify, study, and disseminate the leading management innovations pioneered by “best in class” organizations.