Benefits of Working with Employee Strengths
- Published in CONCHIUS Newsletter 6 February, 2012
We all know we feel better when we are happy and able to do our best to contribute well at work. But is there any real value for companies to focus on, and learning how to manage employees’ strengths actively? New research from Barbara L. Fredrickson show clear evidence, based on solid research, for this. In her new book ‘Positivity’ she explains benefits that directly impact a company’s bottom line. It sends a clear message about the importance for HR professionals and managers to master their talent management process as well as knowing how to coach and train employees successfully in their organization:
Strengths and Success - ‘People who have the opportunity every day to do what they do best—to act on their strengths—are far more likely to flourish.’- Strengths and Learning Retention - ‘Controlled experiments have compared the effects of either simply learning about your signature strengths or learning about them and also making efforts to apply those strengths. From this work, scientists have discovered that the boost in positivity that comes from learning your strengths is significant but temporary. By contrast, the boost in positivity that comes from finding new ways to apply your strengths is significant and lasting.’
- Strengths and Well Being - ‘Negativity prompts cell decay. Positivity prompts cell growth.’
- Strengths and Resiliency - ‘People who experience more positivity in their lives grow psychologically. They become more optimistic, more resilient, more open, more accepting, and more driven by purpose.’
Recent studies have shown that technical skills only represent at best 20% of the contribution into our performance. The remaining 80% comes from our ability to choose or make a decision, assertiveness, commitment to grow, ability to concentrate, honesty, optimism, persistence, ability to perform well under stress and so on. These traits are commonly called our soft skills or attitude. Few managers understand just how deeply rooted their own behavior patterns are, let alone how to positively change them in other people.
The vast majority of employers believe coaching can deliver significant benefits to both individuals and organizations. The majority of employers plan to increase the use of coaching over the next few years, according to a new survey by the Institute of Personnel and Development. Nearly nine out of ten interviewed companies expect their managers and supervisors to deliver performance coaching as part of their day-to-day work.
Needless to say it is imperative that companies start looking into the discipline of and learn how to harness The Power of Coaching. There are many programs available in the market but merely a few that focuses and specializes on the particular needs of corporations and managers.
- Peter J Karlsson, Certified Master Coach