Capitalizing on Your Personal Strengths for 2026

Capitalize on Your Personal Strengths

Understanding what makes you uniquely effective is one of the most powerful steps you can take in shaping your professional journey. Your personal strengths—those natural abilities, learned skills, and instinctive tendencies—don’t just define how you work. They define how you grow.

Those who really shine in today’s fast-moving workplace are those who intentionally build their success.

Start With What You Do Best

Every strength becomes more valuable when you understand it. Take time to reflect on the areas where you consistently excel. What comes naturally to you? Where do coworkers or leaders often rely on you? Which tasks feel energizing rather than draining?

Once you’ve identified those areas, lean in:

• Invest time in deepening the skills that already set you apart.

• Expand your capabilities by exploring related skills or advanced techniques.

• Seek out projects that align with what you do well, not just what’s available.

Growth doesn’t always mean fixing weaknesses. Often, it begins by doubling down on what’s already working.

Look for Opportunities Through a Wider Lens

Strengths become even more meaningful when they connect to the needs around you.

Pay attention to where your organization is headed. Which skills or roles are becoming more important? Is there an emerging need you’re well-suited to support? Broadening your view beyond your current responsibilities helps you avoid being boxed into a single niche.

Stay curious. Ask questions. Look for alignment between your strengths and your company’s future needs. When you see a gap—and you can fill it—you become indispensable.

Become the Expert Others Rely On

Organizations depend on people who truly understand their craft. When you commit to mastering an area that matters to your team or company, you position yourself as a trusted resource.

That expertise doesn’t appear all at once. It grows through:

• Continual learning

• Hands‑on experience

• Asking for feedback

• Staying current with best practices

• Watching how experts inside and outside the organization operate

When you build depth, not just breadth, your strengths become a foundation for long‑term impact.

Stretch Into New Spaces

While strengths create stability, growth comes from challenge. Look for opportunities that push you to apply your abilities in new contexts—new teams, new projects, or new responsibilities. These experiences help reveal blind spots, uncover new strengths, and expand your confidence.

Be open to feedback along the way. Input from others often highlights strengths you didn’t realize you had and points out areas where small adjustments can produce big improvements.

Let Your Strengths Shape Your Goals

Meaningful goals aren’t random—they’re intentional. When you align your goals with your strengths, you create momentum. Progress feels natural, motivation stays high, and the results are often more impactful.

As you plan your next steps, consider how your strengths can guide:

• The skills you develop

• The roles you pursue

• The challenges you take on

• The long‑term path you envision

Strength‑aligned goals aren’t just easier to achieve. They’re more fulfilling.

Moving Forward

Capitalizing on your strengths doesn’t limit your growth—it accelerates it. By focusing on what you do best, watching for opportunities, and continually expanding your expertise, you build a foundation that supports every step of your career.

Your strengths are already working for you. Now is the time to use them strategically.

Evaluating Your Health Benefits Needs

“The best time to think about your benefits isn’t during a crisis — it’s during open enrollment.”

— Charlotte Molander, Benefits Supervisor, PBDC-Federal Group

Choosing the best healthcare plan for the year isn’t a once-a-year task that you have to dread. More accurately, it’s an opportunity to reassess your priorities and protect your financial and physical well-being. 

Every situation is different, and selecting the right coverage begins with understanding what you need and what’s available. The following brief guide will help you pick the perfect plan for your particular set of circumstances. 

Start with the Basics: Who Needs Coverage? What Kind? 

Before exploring plan types or premiums, begin by defining who the plan will cover. Is it just for you? A spouse? Children? Your entire family?  

Next, think about what kind of care is most important.  

Do you need coverage for regular checkups and screenings, or for more specialized services like maternity care, chronic conditions, or mental health support? Your answers to these questions will help narrow the options to those that actually align with your lifestyle and needs. 

Review What Coverage Is Available 

Many employees have access to plans offered through their employer, but it’s worth exploring whether a spouse or domestic partner’s benefits offer better coverage or cost savings. 

Some plans to consider include: 

• Employer-paid or subsidized plans 

• High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) paired with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) 

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for predictable health or childcare expenses 

• Dental and Vision plans (sometimes optional, but important for long-term wellness) 

Understanding what’s on the table ensures you’re making a fully informed decision. 

Know the Key Terms Before You Compare 

As Benefits Supervisor Charlotte Molander explains, “It’s not just about what plan sounds good — it’s about understanding what the numbers really mean.”  

When comparing options, look at: 

• Deductibles – the amount you pay before insurance kicks in 

• Copays and Coinsurance – your share of costs for services 

• Out-of-Pocket Maximums – the most you’ll pay in a year 

• Prescription Coverage – which medications are included and at what cost 

• Monthly Premiums – how much comes out of your paycheck each month 

Sometimes a higher premium plan can save you more in the long run, depending on your healthcare needs. 

Think Beyond Health Insurance 

Health benefits extend beyond medical care. As part of your overall financial stability, take time to review: 

• Retirement plans 

• Life and disability insurance 

• Emergency fund contributions 

Planning holistically ensures that your benefits package supports not just your health, but your financial future. 

“Review your plan annually. Your life changes, and your benefits strategy should evolve with it”

— Charlotte Molander, Benefits Supervisor, PBDC-Federal Group

Talk to People and Use Your Tools 

When evaluating plans, don’t go at it alone. Talk with your family about what matters most, and consult HR or benefits professionals if you need help deciphering the details. 

Leverage available technology when available. Many benefits platforms include comparison tools, estimators, and mobile access that make enrollment and ongoing use easier to manage. 

The Takeaway 

Taking time to evaluate your benefits needs isn’t just about getting coverage, but about finding peace of mind. The right plan helps ensure you and your loved ones have access to the care you need, without unnecessary financial stress.  

As your life changes, so should your benefits strategy. Make reviewing your plan part of your routine, not just your to-do list. 

Tips for Spotting Top Talent

Smarter Hiring for 2025: Talent Recruitment Tips for Federal Government Contractors

We are now in a job market where resumes are routinely polished by AI and “purple unicorn” candidates seem more mythical than ever.

Identifying top talent now requires far more than just a well-worded job post.

Kelcie Rowley, Manager of Strategic Recruiting at PBDC-Federal Group, recently shared insights on how recruiters and hiring managers can sharpen their approach to talent acquisition through several best practices:

Clarify What You’re Looking For

Before launching a search, clarify the role’s requirements:

• What skillset is essential?

• What level of expertise is necessary?

• Are there industries, employers, or certifications that align with your mission?

Defining these criteria upfront helps guide everything that follows, from the hiring platform you use to the questions you ask in interviews.

Without this clarity, it’s easy to waste time chasing “purple unicorns” — candidates with unrealistic combinations of skills, which is increasingly easy to fake thanks to AI.

Know the Difference Between Passive and Active Candidates

When building your recruitment strategy, it’s important to understand the difference between active and passive candidates.

Active candidates are on the move, resumes polished, and applications flying.

Passive candidates, meanwhile, might be happily employed and not scanning job boards. However, they could be open to the right opportunity if approached thoughtfully.

Credit: PBDC-FG Defining Active and Passive Candidates

Which Is Better?

Trick question! Both candidate categories have value.

A smart recruiting plan targets both: post on job boards and LinkedIn to attract active seekers, while also networking and leveraging referrals to tap into passive talent.

Credit: PBDC-FG Active and Passive Candidates Pros and Cons

Use a Combination of Recruiting Tools

A successful recruiting strategy will integrate and balance leading recruiting tools.

Kelcie notes that success isn’t a matter of choosing industry job boards or LinkedIn, but is more often a matter of finding the perfect combination by knowing the relative strengths and weaknesses of each tool.

Job Boards

• Cast a wide net

• Access to active candidates

• Ideal for entry-level or generalist roles

LinkedIn

• Mix of active and passive candidates

• Targeted talent pools

• Networking and long-term relationship building

Pro Tip: A strong recruiting plan includes a mix of strategies and candidate types. Don’t overlook the hidden potential of passive candidates.

Watch Out for Red Flags

• Frequent job changes

• Employment gaps

• Poor formatting or careless errors

• Overloaded with irrelevant info

• New for 2025: Generic AI-generated content

Hiring managers have long screened for job-hopping, unexplained gaps, and poorly formatted resumes. In 2025, there’s a new concern: resumes and cover letters generated by AI tools that sound impressive but say nothing meaningful.

Be on the lookout for generic phrases that lack specificity or don’t align with the role.

Pro tip: Ask candidates to explain something on their resume in detail — or better yet, how they’d approach a real-life challenge relevant to your team.

Build Relationships, Not Pipelines

Hiring and retaining top talent requires building trust. The best hires happen when recruiters and hiring managers think like long-term partners, not deal-closers.

Any hiring manager can contribute to a culture of trust through the following:

• Listening to the candidate’s goals.

• Providing honest insights about the role.

• Being transparent about timelines and expectations.

A candidate who feels respected during the recruitment process is more likely to say yes to a final offer. Having seen a firm’s commitment to their potential, they are also more likely to return the effort by staying committed to a company’s mission long after signing.

Choose Integration over Isolation

You don’t have to choose between job boards or networking, active or passive candidates, automation or intuition. The best approach is a thoughtful mix.

Combine tools, trust your instincts, and remember: your hiring strategy is only as strong as the intention behind it.

Making Your Present Job Your Perfect Job

By Terri Bozkaya, General Counsel & SVP Human Resources

Everyone is different. One person’s dream is another person’s nightmare. 

When it comes to career choices, the same holds true; it’s very important to understand yourself and be able to identify the kind of activity that motivates you, sparks your interest, and keeps you coming back for more. 

Perhaps you are delighted by the work you perform each day. If so, keep on keeping on! 

If not, this simple three-part exercise will help you discover a “niche” that suits you along with some potential career goals: 

1. Job description assessment: Take a close look at your current job description and think about what you do well, not so well, and which activities (if any) you might be avoiding. While you’re doing this, make notes about which parts of your job you really enjoy and which parts you would rather not have to do. Are there parallels? Do you find that you enjoy the activities that you do really well? Spend some time with this self-reflection. 

2. Team reflection & input: Ask your co-workers to tell you what they believe your two strongest traits or skills are. You may be surprised by what you learn. 

3. Continual adjustment: Spend some time exploring a few questions designed to identify preferences that you have about work 

Exploratory Questions 

1. On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being “awesome” and 1 being “grin and bear it,” how would you rank how you feel about your work? ____ 

2. Today, right here and now, what would make you feel extremely positive about the direction of your career? 

3. Describe your dream job. 

4. What do you need in order to realize that dream? 

5. Do you think your interests are supported by the systems in place right now? 

6. Do you feel supported by your supervisor? __________By your fellow team members? __________ 

7. What 3 things can you do in the next 12 months to move yourself in the direction that you choose? 

8. Is something you need outside of your control? If so, name it. 

OPTIONAL QUESTIONS (answer if you DARE) 

9. If you were to live to be 100 or more, would you still want to retire at “normal” retirement age? 

10. If the answer to #9 is “no,” would you want to do what you’re doing now or something different after “retirement?” 

Have fun with this and, if you have some insights arise in the process, share your career development ideas with your manager! 

Part Two: A Smart Move for Your Financial Health: Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are becoming an increasingly popular option for those looking to take control of their healthcare expenses while enjoying substantial tax benefits. If you're exploring ways to make your healthcare dollars work harder for you, an HSA might be the perfect solution. 

What is an HSA? 

An HSA is a tax-advantaged savings account designed to help you save for future healthcare expenses. It’s available to individuals enrolled in high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). The beauty of an HSA lies in its triple tax advantage: contributions are tax-deductible, the money grows tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are also tax-free. 

Why Consider an HSA? 

1. Tax Savings: One of the most compelling reasons to open an HSA is the tax savings it offers. Contributions reduce your taxable income, and if you invest the funds, any growth is tax-free. Plus, you don’t pay taxes on withdrawals if they’re used for qualified healthcare expenses. 

2. No "Use It or Lose It" Rule: Unlike Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), HSAs do not have a "use it or lose it" rule. The money in your HSA rolls over year after year, allowing you to build a substantial nest egg for future medical costs. 

3. Flexibility and Control: With an HSA, you decide how much to contribute (up to annual limits set by the IRS), and you have the flexibility to invest the funds in various financial products, potentially growing your savings over time. 

4. Long-Term Savings: If you’re currently enrolled in a high-deductible health plan and are not meeting your deductible, an HSA can be an excellent way to save for future medical expenses. Even if you’re healthy now, the funds you contribute today can grow and be used in the future, making it a great strategy for long-term healthcare savings. 

Is an HSA Right for You? 

HSAs are particularly beneficial for individuals who want to save money on premiums while still securing funds for future healthcare expenses. If you’re looking to reduce your taxable income, have control over your healthcare dollars, and plan for the long term, an HSA could be a wise choice. 

Interested in starting an HSA? Contact the Benefits Department for more information: 

HRFederalBenefits@potawatomibdc.com 

Why You Need to Double-Check Your W-4 Withholding

If you've ever been hit with a surprise tax bill or a much smaller refund than expected, your W-4 form might be to blame. The W-4 tells your employer how much federal income tax to withhold from your paycheck, and if it's outdated or inaccurate, you could be setting yourself up for financial headaches.

But here’s the bigger picture: being proactive about your W-4 isn’t just good for your wallet — it’s a smart move for your professional life. Financial stability and attention to detail are core traits of successful professionals. When you manage your finances well, you reduce stress, avoid costly distractions, and project competence — whether you're applying for a mortgage, launching a business, or negotiating your next raise.

Here are three major reasons to review your W-4 today:

1. Missed Refunds: Neglecting to file a tax return, possibly due to incorrect or missing W-4 information, can lead to unclaimed refunds. The IRS reported that over 1.1 million individuals failed to file their 2021 tax returns, leaving more than $1 billion in refunds unclaimed. This underscores the importance of accurate withholding and timely filing to ensure you receive any refunds due.

2. Underpayment Penalties: If you don't withhold enough tax throughout the year, you may face a penalty for underpayment. The IRS states that you can avoid this penalty if you owe less than $1,000 after subtracting your withholding and refundable credits, or if you paid withholding and estimated tax of at least 90% of the tax for the current year or 100% of the tax shown on the return for the prior year, whichever is smaller. Failing to meet these criteria can result in penalties and interest charges.​

3. Failure to Pay Penalties: If your W-4 doesn't reflect additional income sources or life changes, you might underpay your taxes throughout the year. This can lead to penalties and interest on the amount owed when you file your return. The IRS calculates the failure to pay penalty as 0.5% of the unpaid taxes for each month or part of a month the tax remains unpaid, up to a maximum of 25% of your unpaid taxes.

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Want to set yourself apart professionally? Start by taking ownership of your finances.

Use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to make sure your W-4 reflects your current situation. It’s quick, free, and a sign you’re in control — not just of your paycheck, but of your future.

Fostering Psychological Safety in the Workplace

Prioritizing mental health is essential for workplace wellness and psychological safety.

Psychological safety, as defined by Harvard Business School professor Amy C. Edmondson, is "the belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes, and that the team is safe for interpersonal risk taking." This environment of trust and openness is critical for team performance, innovation, and overall job satisfaction. 

Why Psychological Safety Matters 

Research from the American Psychological Association indicates that teams with high psychological safety are 27% more likely to be highly collaborative and 50% more likely to retain employees compared to low-safety environments. Additionally, the study "Psychological Safety and Learning Behavior in Work Teams" by Professor Edmondson found that psychologically safe workplaces see a 76% increase in employee engagement and a 67% rise in innovation-driven behaviors. Teams with high psychological safety experience: 

• Increased creativity and problem-solving capabilities 

• Stronger teamwork and cooperation 

• Reduced stress and burnout 

• Higher job satisfaction and retention 

For government contractors, where precision, compliance, and adaptability are key, fostering psychological safety ensures that employees can voice concerns, raise potential risks, and contribute solutions without fear of retribution. 

How to Support Psychological Safety in Your Workplace 

While leadership plays a vital role in shaping workplace culture, every employee can contribute to an environment of psychological safety: 

1. Encourage Open Communication 

Create an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns. Simple actions, such as active listening and responding constructively to feedback, can go a long way. 

2. Normalize Learning from Mistakes 

Mistakes are opportunities for growth. When employees feel safe acknowledging errors without excessive punishment, they are more likely to proactively solve problems and improve processes. 

3. Recognize Contributions 

Employees should feel valued for their input, no matter their role. A culture of appreciation fosters confidence and reinforces positive engagement. 

4. Foster Equitable Discussions 

Encourage participation from all team members. Whether in meetings or brainstorming sessions, ensuring that everyone has a voice helps to build a culture of respect and collaboration. 

5. Lead by Example 

Supervisors and managers set the tone. By demonstrating vulnerability – admitting mistakes, asking for input, and valuing diverse perspectives – leaders show that psychological safety is a priority. 

Building a Stronger, Safer Workplace 

Psychological safety isn’t just a feel-good concept — it’s a business imperative. A work environment where employees trust that they can speak up benefits everyone, leading to stronger teams and more effective decision-making. By committing to open communication, continuous learning, and mutual respect, we can all contribute to a safer and more productive workplace. 

The Power of Focus at Work

By Terri Bozkaya

Despite the many multitasking myths out there, distractions actually hurt performance. Here’s what to do about it.

Life is full of distractions. You’re deep in work when an email notification pops up. A colleague swings by your office just as you’re finalizing a report. At home, an urgent work message interrupts dinner. In today’s fast-paced world, multitasking has become the norm — but at what cost? 

Shifting attention too quickly or failing to focus can have serious consequences, both in and out of the workplace. Studies show that frequent interruptions reduce productivity, increase errors, and heighten stress. In high-risk environments, such as construction sites or cybersecurity settings, lapses in focus can even put lives at risk. 

The Risks of Distraction 

Workplace Safety: Whether operating machinery, driving for work, or handling sensitive materials, distractions can lead to accidents and costly mistakes. 

Cybersecurity Awareness: Scam emails and phishing attempts are increasingly sophisticated. Taking a moment to verify the legitimacy of requests for information can prevent security breaches. 

Efficiency & Performance: Constant task-switching reduces productivity. The brain takes time to refocus, meaning a five-minute distraction could cost much more in lost efficiency. 

Steps Toward Greater Focus and Presence 

1. Assess Risk: Before starting a task, ask yourself: Does this require my full attention? If so, set boundaries to minimize distractions. 

2. Set Digital Boundaries: Use “Do Not Disturb” settings on your phone and email when deep in concentration. Consider workplace guidelines on minimizing interruptions. 

3. Stay Engaged in Meetings: Resist the urge to check messages or multitask. Active participation improves retention and decision-making. 

4. Practice Cyber Awareness: Before clicking on links or responding to emails, pause and verify. If something seems suspicious, report it. 

5. Prioritize Mindfulness: Taking brief breaks between focused work sessions can improve overall attention and well-being. 

Remember that if there is a risk, give yourself permission to make safety and security a priority. 

Being present isn't just about safety—it’s about efficiency, security, and personal well-being. By fostering a culture of focus, we can work smarter, safer, and more effectively. 

A Smart Move for Your Financial Health — Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

A Smart Move for Your Financial Health — Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) 

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are a great option for managing healthcare expenses while reducing your taxable income. If you're looking for a straightforward way to save money on medical costs, an FSA might be the right choice for you. 

What Is an FSA? 

An FSA is a tax-advantaged account offered by employers that allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses. By using pre-tax income to cover these costs, you lower your taxable income and save money overall. 

Why Consider an FSA? 

1. Immediate Tax Savings: Contributions to your FSA are deducted from your paycheck before taxes, reducing your taxable income and saving you money throughout the year. 

2. Wide Range of Eligible Expenses: FSAs can be used to cover a variety of healthcare costs, including copayments, prescription medications, dental work, vision care, and even some over-the-counter items. 

3. Convenience and Simplicity: FSAs typically come with a debit card that you can use directly at pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and other healthcare providers, making it easy to pay for qualified expenses. 

4. Helps Budget Healthcare Costs: By setting aside a specific amount each year for medical expenses, you can plan and budget more effectively. 

How an FSA Works 

Set Your Contribution: 

The open enrollment period to start an FSA is 12/6 through 12/19. During this time, decide how much you wish to contribute to your FSA for the year. The IRS sets an annual contribution limit. This year, that limit is $3,300 and $5,000 for a Dependent Care FSA. To learn more about using various kinds of FSAs, click this link. 

Use It for Eligible Expenses: 

Throughout the year, you can use your FSA funds to pay for qualified medical, dental, and vision expenses. To learn more about common FSA expenses and what qualifies as a medical expense, click this link. 

Plan Ahead: 

FSAs typically have a “use it or lose it” rule, meaning you must use the funds within the plan year or risk losing the unused portion. Some employers, including the PBDC-FG, allow a small amount of rollover (up to $660 for 2025), but it is essential to estimate your healthcare needs carefully. 

Is an FSA Right for You? 

FSAs are an excellent option for individuals or families who anticipate regular medical expenses each year, such as doctor visits, prescriptions, or dental work. They’re particularly beneficial if you want to save money on these costs while taking advantage of tax savings. 

Interested in starting an FSA? 

Contact the Benefits Department for more 

information: HRFederalBenefits@potawatomibdc.com 

The Slow Journey to Maturity: A Perspective on Self-Compassion

By Terri Bozkaya, General Counsel & SVP Human Resources

As we navigate through life, from professional projects to personal relationships, it's all too easy to be hard on ourselves, especially for moments when our plans aren’t realized.

This self-criticism is often fueled by a cultural assumption that we suddenly “crossover” to a full state of maturity at 18, 21, 25, or another other “magic number.” As I reflect on my own development, I remember feeling very grown-up at a surprisingly young age. But the truth unfolds much more slowly than our youthful expectations. Indeed, maturity doesn't arrive with the switch of a light.

Understanding the slow and steady path to true maturity is essential, not just in our personal lives but also in our professional ones. It's common to chastise oneself for projects that fell short of perfection, for relationships that fizzled out, or for any decision that, looking back, could have been better handled.

However, it’s crucial to realize that there might have been times when you simply didn’t possess the necessary skills or perspective to fully understand or respond maturely to high-stakes or ambiguous situations.

Practicing Self-Compassion

Consider adopting a new mindset: allow yourself the grace to acknowledge that growth is a continuous process.

Over time, experiences and reflections contribute to a deep well of understanding. With each passing year, opportunities arise that enable us to handle similar situations with increased wisdom and maturity.

Encourage yourself to look for these chances to elevate your approach—whether you're 35, 45, or proudly carrying an AARP card. Treat your evolving self with gentleness and recognize that you may still have areas that are under- developed. The key is not to remain stuck in an immature phase forever. A practical way to become unstuck is to recognize past moments of immaturity, offer a compassionate acknowledgment to that still-developing part of yourself, and then confidently move forward.

Embracing this kinder, more understanding approach not only enhances our person- al development but also enriches our professional lives, allowing us to tackle challenges

with a more seasoned and comprehensive perspective. Remember, maturity is not a destination but a journey— one that invites patience, self-reflection, and, most importantly, self-compassion.

10 Incredible Tasks for Copilot

While Microsoft Copilot is now a familiar tool to early adopters, millions of professionals are still adjusting to the idea of an AI wizard who can summarize hour-long meetings into a list of three action items.

To demonstrate what Copilot can do, here are 10 common tasks that more and more professionals are delegating to this platform.

While it can seem unnerving, Copilot is ultimately a tool that can help you reduce busy work and focus on the activities that you truly find motivating. Familiarity with tools like Copilot is also increasingly vital for living up to your professional potential.

As Harvard Business School professor Karim Lakhani observed:

AI is not going to replace humans, but humans with AI are going to replace humans without AI."

1.  Produce presentations faster

"Add a slide on the history of the Potawatomi people."

2.  Summarize emails, meetings, long documents, and websites

"Summarize this recording/email/white paper. Point out key points and action items."

3.  Repurpose content

"Create a press release based on this report."

4.  Schedule meetings

"Find a time next Friday to meet with Paul and Emily. 30 minutes. Schedule in our calendars."

5.  Analyze data and create pivot charts

"Review these Q1 figures from the last five years. Project which products will be in the top three for 2025."

6.  Streamline research

"I am writing a report on EV trends in Texas. Find industry reports from the last 18 months I can use."

7.  Use animation

"Animate all slides in this PowerPoint so that each slide dissolves when you click."

8.  Proofread documents

"Proofread this RFP. Note any spelling or grammatical errors in bold for my review."

9.  Problem-solve

"[Describe problem]. Apply Six Sigma principles to this problem and list five potential solutions."

10.  Create images

"Make an image of robots dancing to country music."

How to Find Your Top Strengths at Work

If you are considering a career change, searching for a new job, or simply want to deepen your involvement in your current role, consider taking the VIA (Virtues in Action) Character Strength Survey.

In short, the idea of this survey is that individuals who routinely use their top three strengths report higher degrees of personal and professional satisfaction.

This clinically validated tool is free to use and takes under 15-minutes to complete. Click the link here to discover your strengths!

Credit: VIA Institute on Character

BACKGROUND 

Psychology has a reputation for looking for what’s wrong with people. Sometimes, this eagerness for a diagnosis can cause more harm than good. There’s even a word – iatrogenesis – for when a psychologist causes a condition they are treating because of how they act toward a client.

For example, take a child with an extreme fear of loud noises. A psychologist asks if the child is afraid of the dark because she wants to know what they generally fear. The child says no, they aren’t afraid of the dark. The psychologist asks why. The child suddenly thinks about the dark – all of the spooky things that can occur – and quickly becomes afraid of the dark. That’s a simple example of iatrogenesis.

In the late 1940s, several psychologists, led by Carl Rogers, aimed to avoid accidentally suggesting illnesses by moving to patient-centric models instead of diagnostic-centric models. Rogers became one of the founders of Humanistic Psychology, which gained popularity in the '70s. By the late '90s, Humanistic Psychology had moved to a data-driven field under the banner of Positive Psychology.

This movement shifted from dwelling almost exclusively on negative behavior, as earlier movements like Freudian psychology and Behaviorism did, to finding and reinforcing more positive and empowering impulses. One of its pioneers, Martin Seligman, noted that psychologists had spent a century studying what makes people unhappy, but rarely what makes us happy: “psychology was half-baked, literally half-baked. We had baked the part about mental illness […] The other side’s unbaked, the side of strength, the side of what we’re good at.”

Along with psychologist Christopher Peterson, Seligman conducted hundreds of experiments and thousands of interviews to understand what makes people happy. They developed in-depth methodologies and more applicable tools. In the workplace, one of their most popular tools is called the VIA Character Strengths Survey (VIA stands for ‘values in action’).

This survey is based on the belief that we all possess a set of core virtues; by exercising them, we contribute to our overall well-being. These virtues include wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence.

The survey measures 24 character strengths, such as creativity, perseverance, kindness, and leadership, that fall under these broader virtues.

Researchers found that employees who routinely exercised their top three strengths had higher job satisfaction and success. For example, someone with strong leadership and communication skills might excel in a managerial role, while someone with a knack for creativity and innovation might thrive in a more entrepreneurial setting.

Understanding your top strengths can also help you leverage these strengths to perform better and make a unique contribution. It can guide your goal setting and help determine which training, certifications, or conferences to attend. Lastly, knowing your top strengths will help you communicate your value to employers and clients, leading to greater opportunities for advancement and success.