Using Your Strengths at Work

Identifying your signature strengths and finding small ways to apply them more often in your role.

Beta content. Evidence for this dimension is still developing; grade is conservative and will be upgraded as more research is reviewed.

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Preliminary research suggests…

Strengths-based and other positive interventions are associated with flow and engagement, and bottom-up, self-initiated approaches show small engagement gains. Direct workplace strengths-use trials are limited here, so this is an early-evidence, low-risk practice best paired with job crafting.

Name your top strengths, then pick one to deliberately use in a new way each week none, optional_strengths_assessment beginner workplace

identify_signature_strengthsapply_strengths_dailyincrease_engagementgeneral_working_adultsemployed_adultsnon_clinical

4 ordered steps with their dose, from Strengths & Meaning Reflection.

Common misconceptions

You should mainly fix your weaknesses (building on strengths is often more energizing and effective)
Strengths are fixed talents (they can be developed and applied in new ways)

What we won't claim

Do not present burnout as a clinical diagnosis this content can identify or treat
Do not guarantee any job, promotion, income, or workplace outcome
Do not claim these individual practices fix unsafe workloads, toxic management, or unfair conditions

When to seek a professional

Persistent exhaustion, cynicism, dread of work, or inability to function that lasts weeks
Signs of depression, anxiety disorder, panic, or thoughts of self-harm
Sleep disruption, substance use, or physical symptoms that do not improve with self-care

Key sources (2), grade mix A:2 · B:0 · C:0

Every source below carries its own grade and links to the original study. This is the audit trail.

AQing Yan, S. Donaldson (2022) · Journal of Positive Psychology · 10.1080/17439760.2022.2036798

AJanina M. Björk, P. Bolander, A. Forsman (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.730421

✓Explore all 476 studies in Occupational →

The full evidence base this focus area draws on, every study with its grade and DOI.