Do you know your core strengths at work? Do you know what your work values are?
It helps to know the difference between the two.
Strengths are your gifts, your talents, your super-powers that when expressed has a profound impact on your work. Strengths can be natural or acquired, through practice.
For example, you may have presentation skills as a key strength. When you express it powerfully, be it in front of your client, team or a bigger audience, you can feel a sense of conviction in your strength. You know this is what you are meant to do.
Values, on the other hand, are an individual's principles on what is important. When you get to know and live your values at work, you will begin to feel that your work is meaningful.
For example, you may have a core value of respect. When you live this value and when this value is adhered to at your workplace, you will feel a sense of belonging. When this value is not adhered to, there is often a sense of frustration and anger.
Work full of rarely expressed strengths can feel exhausting. Work full of rarely lived values can feel stifling. When you live your values and express your strengths, work becomes joyful and full of meaning.
What are your values and your strengths? Are they in sync and are you expressing them powerfully, at your workplace?
This is the first of a three part series on Values, Strengths and Beliefs at work. You can find the second part here and the third part here.