Guest writer Kate Sotsenko runs thegoodbusy.com, a company focused on helping busy mid-senior leaders eliminate unnecessary work so they can focus on what matters most. Without stress. Without burnout.
Play to your strengths - exercise inside
"Strengths make weaknesses irrelevant." - Peter F. Drucker
"I need to work on my weaknesses, but I don't have time."
Sound familiar?
If so, keep reading because you don't need extra time or another course to make your weaknesses irrelevant.
Let me share a story.
After a few weeks on holiday, I returned to find my manager had hired a new teammate.
I was surprised and concerned.
I liked them, but it quickly became clear they lacked essential skills for the role. And honestly? I worried I'd have to pick up the slack.
But here's the twist: this turned out to be the best professional relationship I've ever had. We're now close friends.
Why share this?
Instead of fixating what they lacked, I realized their strengths filled gaps in our team. It was a winning move - for everyone.
(Disclaimer - I wasn't always this smart. But by then, I had started studying coaching. And in coaching, we take a strengths-based approach.)
Here's why playing to your strengths makes you both happier and more productive.
the why
You’re crafting a presentation or solving a complex issue with your team. Ideas are flowing. Everything clicks.
You glance at the clock - two hours have passed, but it feels like minutes.
Your inbox hasn’t crossed your mind. Instead of exhaustion, you feel energized and proud of your progress.
That's flow state - a term coined by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a pioneer of positive psychology.
According to McKinsey, flow can boost productivity by 500%. (I read it in The Art of Impossible by Steve Kotler.)
Csikszentmihaly interviewed scientists, athletes, artists, and executives. His findings?
Flow happens when you use your strengths.
It requires a clear, challenging goal and awareness of your skills.
Without a goal? Chaos takes over.
Working from weakness? Frustration and exhaustion.
Task too easy? Boredom.
But when you play to your strengths and have a clear goal, you unlock results and happiness. Work feels effortless, meaningful, and deeply engaging.
the how
Most leaders aren't fully aware of their strengths. It's not your fault - corporate culture tends to spotlight weaknesses.
But if you want to be happier and more productive, you need to flip the script yourself.
Last week, we covered Step 1: Foundation.
Today, we move on to Step 2: Structure.
Grab your notebook and reflect:
What are my top 3 strengths at work?
What are my top 3 weaknesses at work?
How do my strengths compensate for my weaknesses?
Want to go deeper?
Here's how I found my own strengths:
Take an online test (I recommend ViaCharacter)
Ask your coach, mentor, or therapist.
Pay attention to feedback from peers.
Lastly, connect all the dots.
your play of the week
Play to your strengths 💪
Grab a notebook:
Identify your top 3 strengths.
Use them in every task this week - even in meetings.
Make sure your foundation is solid. If you need help, get a blueprint for goals that stick.
result
When you work from your strengths, you tap into your powerhouse instead of burning energy on what doesn't come naturally.
Work feels easier. Progress comes faster.
Kate Sotsenko is a thought leader and corporate productivity and leadership coach. If you want to find out more check out her website - TheGoodBusy.com
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